149 days to HS2012 In an earlier issue you were alerted to the fact that on 01 January 2012, 220 sets of tariff amendments will be introduced to the Harmonised System Nomenclature, also known as the South African Tariff Book. Current recommendations are divided as follows: (i) Agricultural sector – 98; (ii) Chemical sector – 27; (iii) Paper sector – 9; (iv) Textile sector – 14; (v) Base Metal sector – 5; (vi) Machinery sector – 30; and (vii) Other sectors – 37. In last week’s issue we dealt with the tariff amendments of Section II i.e. “Vegetable Products”. Section II consists of nine tariff chapters that will be introduced on January 01, 2012 to the Harmonised System Nomenclature. In this column we will focus on the tariff amendments to Section III i.e. “Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes”. Section III consists of one tariff chapter. Tariff Chapter 15 – animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes. The first section tariff subheadings to be deleted, in Tariff Chapter 15 are 1501.00, and 1502.00. The second section tariff subheadings to be created (new), in Tariff Chapter 15 are 1501.10, 1501.20, 1501.90, 1502.10, and 1502.90. The third section tariff subheadings’ scope will be modified. There are no Tariff Chapter 15 modifications. Safe Containers Convention In a Government Gazette dated 14 July 2011, notice was given that the President assented to the Merchant Shipping (Self Containers Convention) Act, 2011. The Act extends to the Prince Edward Islands, to where transport is not considered international transport. The present Convention applies to new and existing containers used in international transport, excluding containers specially designed for air transport. Every new container shall be approved in accordance with the provisions either for type-testing or for individual testing. Every existing container shall be approved in accordance with the relevant provisions for approval of existing containers, within five years from the date of entry into force of the present Convention. Duty Calls Watch List The proposed increase in the rate of customs duty on canned whole peeled tomatoes, and tomato puree, pastes and concentrates in powder to 37% ad valorem, on which comment is due by 19 August 2011. The proposed review of the customs duty on lysine and its esters, salts thereof, and feed supplements from its current rate of customs duty of 10% ad valorem to free of customs duty, on which comment is due by 05 August 2011. Tariff Applications – 29 July 2011 There were no applications at the time of publication. Trade Remedy Applications – 29 July 2011 There were no applications at the time of publication. Tariff Amendments – 29 July 2011 There were no amendments at the time of publication. Trade Remedy Amendments – 29 July 2011 There were no amendments at the time of publication.
