Lead acid tariff On 10 April 2015 the South African Revenue Service (Sars) announced the substitution of lead acid batteries of a kind used for starting piston engines, classifiable under tariff subheading 8507.10 (lead acid, of a kind used for starting piston engines), and the insertion of tariff subheadings 8507.10.05 (with dimensions not exceeding 185 mm (length) x 125 mm (width) x 195 mm (height)) at a “general” rate of customs duty of 5% ad valorem; and tariff subheading 8507.10.10 (other) at a “general” rate of customs duty of 15% ad valorem. The tariff application, lodged by Powertech Batteries, a division of Powertech Industries (Pty) Ltd, was published by the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) on 18 July 2014 for an increase in the “general” rate of customs duty on leadacid, of a kind used for starting piston engines, classifiable under tariff subheading 8507.10, from 5% to 30% ad valorem. Lithium batteries tariff Sars on 10 April 2015 announced a reduction in the “general” rate of customs duty on lithium batteries classifiable in tariff subheading 8506.50.25 “(other, cylindrical (excluding those of a height not exceeding 7 mm), of a diameter exceeding 19 mm)” from 10% ad valorem to free of duty. The tariff application, lodged by N & Z Instrumentation & Control (Pty) Ltd, was published by Itac on 19 December 2014 for a reduction in the “General” rate of customs on “other, cylindrical (excluding those of a height not exceeding 7mm), of a diameter exceeding 19mm”, classifiable under tariff subheading 8506.50.25, from 10% ad valorem to free of duty. Ghana and Nigeria mission The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) has invited participation in a trade and investment mission to Ghana and Nigeria scheduled to take place from 17-21 August. The closing date for applications is 30 April. Indonesia mission The dti has invited participation in an outward selling and investment mission to Indonesia from 27-31 July. The mission forms part of the dti’s objective to create and identify export markets for South African value-added products and services. The closing date for applications is 30 April. Duty Calls’ Watch List The 2015 WCO Picard Conference will be held from 8-10 September 2015 in Azerbaijan. Comment on the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Regulations is due by 30 April 2015. Comment on the Sunset Review on fresh or chilled garlic originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China is due by 27 April 2015. The postponed 4th workshop on the draft rules for Chapters 32 to 41 of the Customs Control Act, 2014 is scheduled for 23 April 2015.
