Taxation Laws Second Amendment Act On 23 December 2011 the South African Revenue Service (Sars) announced the promulgation on 14 December 2011 of the Taxation Laws Second Amendment Act (Act No. 25 of 2011) (the Act). The amendment to the Customs and Excise Act relates, amongst others, to making additional provision for the disclosure of information. Information could, once the Act has become effective, be disclosed to the Chief Commissioner of the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac), the Director of the Financial Intelligence Centre, or the head of any organ of State. WCO Tariff Classification Decisions The World Customs Organisation (WCO) has announced the Harmonised System Committee’s “Classification Decisions” taken at its 48th Session held in September 2011. The WCO issued its (i) Classification Rulings; and (ii) Amendments to the Compendium of Classification Opinions. The “Classification Rulings” cover the following tariff subheadings: (i) shrimp wonton – 1902.20; (ii) lithium cobalt dioxide – 2841.90; (iii) tonapofylline – 2939.59; (iv) antiparasite lotion – 3808.91; (v) boxes used as ornaments – 6802.99; (vi) security entrance door – 7308.30; (vii) a centrifugal juicer – 8435.10; (viii) a vegetable preparation machine – 8438.60; (ix) an emulsifier-mixer – 8438.80; (x) car assembly sets – 87.03; (xi) set of motor cycle parts – 87.11; and (xii) game and multimedia chair – 9401.61. The amendments to the “Compendium of Classification Opinions” cover the following tariff subheadings: (i) beverage mixed in hot water – 2106.90; (ii) cartridge for an electrical cigarette – 3824.90; and (iii) an assembly of two multipositional electric switching devices – 8537.10. While we were Away On 15 December 2011 Sars announced: The substitution of the description to Rebate Item 681.01/00.00/01.00 (Environmental Levy), of which the extent of rebate is full duty, which was effective from 01 September 2011. The substitution of Note 2(iii), 2(iv) and the paragraph above 27(i)(a) to Note 27(i) to Rebate Item 317.04 in Part 1 of Schedule No. 3 which was effective from 01 January 2012. The substitution of Notes to Section B of Part 3 of Schedule No. 1 (Environmental Levy – Electricity Generation). The substitution of Rule 54FA.04 to the Customs and Excise Act, which relates to the Environmental Levy – Electricity Generation. The amendment includes amendments to the DA forms. The amendment of tariff subheading 8409.99.30, which serves to reduce the rate of customs duty on pistons, which was effective from 23 December 2011. The amendment of tariff subheadings 9028.20.10 and 9028.20.90, which serves to increase the rate of customs duty on mechanical water supply meters, which was effective from 23 December 2011. On 21 December 2011 Sars announced: The deletion of Item 210.02/4810.92/ 01.06 and Item 210.02/4810.92/02.06, which relate to anti-dumping duties imposed on paper and paperboard. The amendment to the anti-dumping duties on hexagon bolts of iron or steel originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China – Item 215.02/7318.15/01.06, which is effective from 06 May 2011.
