Process Change for Registration and Licensing On 18 June the South African Revenue Service (Sars) published a letter addressed to traders titled “Change in the Process for Registering, Licensing or Amending Banking Details”. Effective from 18 June, the process of registering, licensing or amending banking details with Sars Customs and Excise has changed. Any changes to banking details will now be verified before updating your banking profile with Sars. Therefore, any refunds due to you (if applicable) will only be processed after your banking details have been received and verified. For security reasons and to protect traders from potential fraud, changes to banking details can only be done in person at a Sars Customs and Excise branch nearest to you. When visiting a Sars branch to register, license or amend your banking details, please ensure that you comply in terms of the following application forms and supporting documents (the nature and extent of these documents can be found in the letter). Supporting document requirements vary for (i) Natural or juristic persons located in the Republic of South Africa (RSA); (ii) Companies/Trusts/Close Corporations (CC) located in the RSA, etc. To ensure timeous approval, traders are urged to submit the required documents under the following conditions: (i) Where a general refund is due to you and you are not participating in the deferment scheme, (ii) Where you have received a notification from Sars requesting your banking details be verified, and (iii) Where you are registering/ licensing a new function or amending your banking details. Applicants or their representatives must approach their nearest Sars branch with their original identity document/passport or a temporary identity document/ passport and the original resolution specifying who is authorised to act on behalf of or represent the company, trust, close corporation etc in order to enable the Sars official to conduct a physical verification. For more information, contact any one of the following officials at the applicable telephone numbers: (i) Angie van der Mescht (011) 862-5839, (ii) Barbara Jacobs (011) 862-6045, (iii) Bashani Naidoo (011) 862-6008, and (iv) Katlego Setlhalogile (011) 862-5285. MCEP Applications The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) has announced that online applications for the Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme (MCEP) are now open. The MCEP provides enhanced support to manufacturers to upgrade their production facilities in a manner that sustains employment and maximises value-addition in the short to medium term. For online applications, visit www.thedti.gov.za/mcep_ applications.jsp Customs Rules for Travellers In an earlier issue we advised of a Sars notice to amend the Rules to the Customs and Excise Act relating to the Traveller Card and the Traveller Declaration. Please note implementation dates at the following border posts – Oshoek (30 June), and Ficksburg (07 July). Duty Calls Watch List The proposed increase in the rate of customs duty on frozen half shelled mussels, for which comment is due by 06 July 2012. The proposed review of the customs duties on salmon and trout for which comment is due by 20 July 2012.
