PVC Dumping Investigation In a Government Gazette dated 21 September 2012 the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) announced the initiation of a sunset review of the antidumping duties on plates and sheets, film, foil and strip of polymers of vinyl chloride (PVC), classifiable under tariff subheading 3920.49, (the product) originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China (China) and Chinese Taipei. Chinese Taipei was earlier known as Taiwan. On 01 July 2011 Itac notified all interested parties that unless a substantiated request was made by the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) industry indicating that the expiry of the antidumping duties on the product originating in or imported from China and Chinese Taipei would likely lead to the continuation or recurrence of dumping and material injury, the anti-dumping duties imposed on the product from the countries concerned would expire on 25 October 2012. On 26 June 2012 Itac accepted a sunset review application from Arengo 190 (Pty) Ltd, representing the Sacu industry, alleging that the expiry of the anti-dumping duties on the product from the countries concerned would likely lead to the recurrence of dumping and material injury. Arengo 190 (Pty) Ltd represents 86% by production volumes of the Sacu producers of the product. South African importers and overseas exporters now have until 29 October 2012 to submit their comments by completing an Importer’s or Exporter’s Questionnaire. Wheat Dollar-based Reference Price Itac has advised, through a notice in the Government Gazette of 21 September 2012, of an application received from Grain SA for the increase in the domestic dollar-based reference price for wheat, classifiable under tariff heading 1001.9, from US$215/ ton to US$326/ton through an adjustment in the variable tariff formula for wheat by the inclusion of a self sufficiency factor of 1.158. Based on the international price information at the time the application was made, the requested formula would trigger an increase in the rate of customs duty on wheat as well as wheaten flour, classifiable under tariff subheading 1101.00, from free of customs duty to 40.91c/kg and 61.36c/kg, respectively. According to the notice, this level of increase is based on price information on 25 April 2012 when Grain SA’s application was received by Itac. Using the requested reference price of US$326/ton, the variable tariff formula for wheat will trigger an increase if the international price of US No.2 HRW falls by US$10/ ton below the base price of US$273, which is the threeweek moving average price for US No.2 HRW as calculated on 25 April 2012, resulting in a new moving average base price. Conversely, a reduction in the rate of customs duty will be triggered if the international price of US No.2 HRW increases by US$10/ton above the base price. Comment is due on 02 November 2012. Rule Amendments On 21 September 2012 the South African Revenue Service (Sars) published draft amendments to the General System of Preferences (GSP) for the European Union (EU) and Norway, on which comment is due by 15 October 2012. Duty Call’s Watch List Comments due by 05 October 2012 in respect of “Guidelines Regarding Applications for Permits in terms of the Provision of Rebate Item 311.18/63.09/01.04 of Schedule No.3 to the Customs and Excise Act”.
