Taps and Mixers Tariff On 26 October the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) announced an application for the proposed increase in the “General” rate of customs duty on taps and mixers, classifiable under tariff subheading 8481.80.79, from 15% ad valorem to 20% ad valorem. The application was lodged by Cobra Watertech (Pty) Ltd. Comment is due by 23 November 2012. Polyether Polyols Tariff On 26 October Itac announced an application for the proposed reduction in the “General” rate of customs duty on polyether polyols, classifiable under tariff subheading 3907.20.15, from 10% ad valorem to free of customs duty. The application was lodged by Atlas Consolidated industries (Pty) Ltd, trading as Industrial Urethanes, who reasoned that the product was not manufactured in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). Comment is due by 23 November 2012. Garden Implements Remedy On 26 October 2012 Itac announced the initiation of a sunset review of the antidumping duties on garden picks and spades, shovels, rakes and forks originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China. The tariff subheadings in question are 8201.10.10, 8201.90.20, 8201.30.03, and 8201.30.90. The sunset review was launched prior to the expiry of the anti-dumping duties, which were set to expire on 01 November 2012. The application was lodged by Ussher Inventions (Pty) Ltd trading as Lasher Tools, in response to a sunset review application questionnaire. The investigation period for dumping is from 01 July 2011 to 30 June 2012 and the injury investigation involves evaluation of data for the period 01 July 2008 to 30 June 2011 and 2012 budgeted figures. The Commission will also consider an estimate of what the situation will be if the anti-dumping duties expire. Comment is due by 03 December 2012. Unregistered Importers and Exporters A letter dated 24 October 2012 from Sars reads: Previous correspondence dated 19 October 2012 is hereby withdrawn and replaced with this letter. The 70707070 provision is currently not permissible for Customs clearance purposes at any land port of entry. In order to improve supply chain security Sars requires traders who make use of the 70707070 code in either the importer or the exporter field to provide either a South African identity number or tax reference number on the declaration in the unregistered trader field. The provisions of Rule 59A.03(1)(iv), concerning the limitations in Customs value and number of transactions allowed per year, remain in force. In the case of traders not resident in South Africa or who do not have business premises in South Africa, this provision is also not applicable. Such traders are required to register or license as foreign principals (importers, exporters or removers of goods in bond as the case may be) in order to continue transacting. Alternatively a clearing agent may also act on their behalf, assuming full liability for the transaction. In such cases the agent must be registered as an importer or exporter and the agent’s Customs client number must appear in the importer or exporter field of the Customs declaration, as the case may be. The clearing agent acting on behalf of the foreign remover does not need to be licensed as a remover. As from 03 November 2012, Sars will reject clearances at all offices of clearance and ports of entry and exit which do not comply with the requirements stated above.
