WCO Classification Decisions During December the World Customs Organisation (WCO) announced the publication of classification decisions taken at the last session of the Harmonised System (HS) Committee (50th Session) in September 2012. The classification decisions refer to classification rulings; the amendments to the explanatory notes; and the amendments to the compendium of classification opinions. The amendments relate to, amongst others, chemically impregnated dog collars, water bottles for bicycles, and charcoal starter, etc. Comoros 146th HS Member The WCO announced on 07 January that the Union of the Comoros had deposited with the Secretary General of the WCO its instrument of accession to the International Convention on the Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System (Harmonised System or HS). Comoros is the 146th Contracting Party to the HS Convention. It has been a member of the WCO since 01 July 1993. The HS Convention will enter into force in Comoros on 01 January 2015, unless it decides to specify an earlier date. Laos 158th WTO Member The World Trade Organisation (WTO) announced that Laos had ratified its membership package would join WTO on 02 February 2013, becoming the WTO’s 158th member. Nine WTO DG Candidates Nine candidates have been nominated by their respective governments for the post of WTO director-general (DG) to succeed the current DG, Pascal Lamy, whose term of office expires on 31 August 2013. The candidates, listed in the order in which the nominations were received by the WTO, are (i): Mr Alan Jon Kwadwo Kyerematen (Ghana); (ii) Ms Anabel González (Costa Rica); (iii) Ms Mari Elka Pangestu (Indonesia); (iv) Mr Tim Groser (New Zealand); (v) Ms Amina C. Mohamed (Kenya); (vi) Mr Ahmad Thougan Hindawi (Jordan); (vii) Mr Herminio Blanco (Mexico); (viii) Mr Taeho Bark (Republic of Korea); and (ix) Mr Roberto Carvalho de Azevêdo (Brazil). The nomination period for DG closed on 31 December 2012. A formal General Council meeting will now be held on 29 January 2013 where candidates will present themselves to the members. The selection process will conclude with a decision by the General Council no later than 31 May 2013. Diplomatic and Foreign Representatives In a Government Gazette dated 28 December 2012 the South African Revenue Service (Sars) announced the substitution of form DA90 relating to an application for refund in respect of excise duty and fuel levy on motor fuel used by diplomatic and other foreign representatives in terms of item(s) 623.01, 623.02, 623.03 and 670.01 of Schedule No.6 to the Customs and Excise Act, No.91 of 1964. African Cup Emblem Prohibition of Use The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) announced on 28 December 2012 the prohibition of the use of certain words and emblems for the 2013 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) South Africa. Duty Calls Watch List Comment is due by 25 January 2013 in respect of the proposed increase in the rate of customs duty on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape, classifiable under tariff subheading 3920.99.25, from 10% ad valorem to 20% ad valorem.
