Meat Product Labelling My doctor told me to watch what I eat, so I bought tickets to the Durban July. I have a nasty suspicion that Buffalo wings contain chicken. These are but some of the jokes that have been doing the rounds of late, resulting in calls for regulation, compelling meat product manufacturers to stipulate the contents of their products. That’s all fine and well, but who will take the trouble to read the product label to establish a product’s contents? When last did you enquire as to its contents? This reminds me of Otto von Bismarck, the German chancellor, who reputedly said there were two things in life that you don’t want to witness being made – sausage and legislation. We will alert you to any developments. Petroleum Bitumen On March 1, 2013 the South African Revenue Service (SARS) informed of the insertion of Rebate Item 460.05/2713.20/01.06 relating to petroleum bitumen classifiable under tariff subheading 2713.20, effective from March 1, 2013. Top Boxes (Television) On March 1, 2013 SARS informed of the substitution of the description of Rebate Item 316.17/00.00/03.00 which relates to the exclusion of mounted populated circuit boards used in the manufacture of reception apparatus for television not designed to incorporate a video display or screen, known as top boxes, classifiable under tariff subheading 8528.71. The amendment is effective from March 1, 2013. 13th Deferred Payment In a letter dated February 26, 2013 titled “13 Deferment Payment at the End of the Financial Year”, SARS informed that the letter served as a reminder to all Customs deferment clients of the 13th deferment payment which is due in March 2013. The policy dated January 12, 2012 stipulates that, in addition to the 12 regular payment dates chosen by the client, there will be a 13th payment date in March every year. The statement period will close on March 25, 2013 and the statements can be collected on March 26, 2013. All outstanding payments must be settled by no later than 15:00 on March 28, 2013. Boxer Shorts The proposed inclusion under Rebate Item 311.40/5208.4/01.05 of boxer shorts as part of the manufactured products currently qualifying under the rebate provision, for which comment is due by March 2, 2013. Metal Nails The proposed increase in the general rate of customs duty on wire nails, pointed screwnails and other wire nails, 7317.00.05, 7317.00.07 and 7317.00.10, for which comment is due by March 22, 2013. Aluminium Slugs The proposed creation of a temporary rebate of customs duty on aluminium slugs, classifiable under tariff subheadings 7616.99.30 and 7612.90.20, for impact extrusion for which comment is due by March 22, 2013. Scrap Metal Notices ITAC extended the deadline to comment on the draft export control guidelines and the draft policy directive of ferrous and non-ferrous metal waste and scrap until March 8, 2013. Linen Duties SARS informed of the substitution of 6-digit tariff subheadings of tariff heading 6302 “bed linen, table linen, toilet linen and kitchen linen” to remove the rates of duties with effect from January 1, 2013.
