Rule Amendments Agent Registration On 23 March the South African Revenue Service (Sars) gazetted amendments to Sections 59A.03(1)(a)(ii) and 120 of the Customs and Excise Act. The rule amendments relate to the next roll-out of mandatory foreign principal registration and/or licensing and the mandatory registration of a nominated agent located in South Africa. According to the notice, despite subparagraph (i) ie, Section 59A.03(1)(i), importers and exporters will be allowed, subject to subparagraph (iv) ie, Section 59A.03(1)(iv), to use registration code number 70707070 ie, unknown importer and unknown exporter, for clearance of goods at any place except the following and from the date specified for each place. The places and dates: Kopfontein (11 February 2012), Ramathlabama (25 February 2012), Groblersbrug (17 March 2012), Nerston (24 March 2012), Vioolsdrift (31 March 2012), Nakop (31 March 2012), Quachasneck (26 May 2012), Caledonspoort (26 May 2012), Mananga (02 June 2012), Jeppes Reef (02 June 2012), Golela (09 June 2012), Mahamba (16 June 2012), Van Rooyenshek (16 June 2012), Oshoek (30 June 2012), Ficksburg (07 July 2012), Maserubridge (14 July 2012), Lebombo (21 July 2012), Beitbridge (28 July 2012), OR Tambo International Airport (11 August 2012), King Shaka International Airport (18 August 2012), Cape Town International Airport (25 August 2012), and Skilpadshel (01 September 2012). Customs Modernisation Changes On 22 March 2012 Sars announced the following Customs Modernisation changes effective from 24 March: (i) New inspection workflow, (ii) Customs system enhancements, (iii) Submission of electronic supporting documents, (iv) Electronic submission of declarations and cargo reports, (v) Pre-clearance before entry at border for commercial vehicles, (vi) No more 70707070 codes, (vii) All traders will have to be registered with Sars, and (viii) ‘Foreign’ traders to work through SA-based ‘agents’. For queries contact: Office Hours: (08:00 – 18:00): Vanessa Cloete (vcloete@sars. gov.za), Jenny Stoltz (jstoltz@ sars.gov.za) Tel (w): 017 846 9007/9429 PVC Anti-Dumping Application On 23 March the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) announced the proposed exclusion of specific PVC strips of a thickness of 2mm and a width not exceeding 20mm, classifiable under tariff subheading 3920.49, from the existing anti-dumping duties applicable on PVC rigid originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China. Comment is due by 30 April 2012. Tariff Applications Itac announced on 23 March the following tariff applications: The proposed creation of a Rebate Item for the rebate of the rate of customs duty on specific fittings and mechanisms, classifiable under tariff subheading 8305.10 and 8305.90, used in the manufacture of loose-leaf binders or files. The proposed review of the rate of customs duty on reception apparatus for television not designed to incorporate a video display or screen (ie, set top boxes), classifiable under tariff subheading 8528.71, at free of customs duty. The proposed increase in the rate of customs duty on alkyd resins, classifiable under tariff subheading 3907.50, from free of customs duty to 15% ad valorem. Comments are due by 20 April 2012.
