Display Panels Amendment (December 2011) In a Government Gazette dated 02 December 2011 the South African Revenue Service (Sars) annoucned the amendment of tariff subheading 8529.90.75 which relates to display panels. The rate of customs duty for General is 20% ad valorem, for the European Union (EU) 2.6% ad valorem, for the European Free Trade Area (EFTA) 10% ad valorem, and for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) free. The amendment took effect on 02 December 2011. Display Panels – Tariff Amendment (January 2012) In a Government Gazette dated 02 December 2011 Sars announced the amendment of tariff subheading 8529.90.75 which relates to display panels. The rate of customs duty for General is 20% ad valorem, for the EU free, for EFTA 7.6% ad valorem, and for the SADC free. The amendment is effective from 01 January 2012. Display Panels Rebate Provision Amendment In a Government Gazette dated 02 December 2011 Sars announced: (i) the deletion of Rebate Item 316.23/8529.90/01.06 relating to liquid crystal display (LCD) panels; and (ii) the insertion of Rebate Items 316.23/00.00/01.00; 316.23/8529.90/02.06, and 316.23/8529.90/03.06 with respect to certain monitors. The amendment is effective from 02 December 2012. Dedicated HS2012 Webpage with Documents Sars announced on 02 December 2011 the creation of a dedicated section on its website for the Harmonised System 2012 amendments. All you need to do is to enter the following in your browser http://www.sars.gov. za/home.asp?pid=73587 and you will be able to download the following, which enters into force on 01 January 2012: (i) The phase-down of customs duties in terms of the free trade agreement with the EU; (ii) The phasedown of customs duties in terms of the free trade agreement with EFTA; (iii) The phase-down of customs duties in terms of the Motor Industry Development Programme (MIDP); (iv) Reduction in the rate of duty on paper and paperboard; (v) Reduction in the rate of duty on aluminium products classifiable under tariff headings 76.06 and 76.07; (vi) Reduction in the general rate of duty on organic surfaceactive agents and primary plastic polymers; and (vii) Technical amendments including requests for the creation of additional tariff subheadings for statistical purposes from industry and other government agencies. Reminder In an earlier column we reminded you of a Sars letter titled “Reminder to Renew Licences for 2012”. In terms of Section 60(1), the Rules thereto and Schedule 8 of the Customs and Excise Act, clearing agent and road haulier licences are valid for a period of one year and must be renewed annually by the 31st of December. Duty Calls’ Watch List Comment on the proposed increase in the rate of customs duty on stainless steel sinks from 20% ad valorem to 30% ad valorem due by 16 December 2011. Comment on the alleged dumping of fully threaded screws with hexagon heads, excluding those of stainless steel originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China (China) due by 27 December 2011. The Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System ie, HS2012 enters into force on 01 January 2012.
