Enhancements to Passenger Processing On 1 March there were two major changes with regard to SA Revenue Services’ Passenger Processing System: (a) New Rebate provisions came into effect. Duty-free allowances for travellers were increased from R3 000 to R5 000 and for crew members from R500 to R700. The flat rate allowance for travellers was increased from R12 000 to R20 000, while that of crew members remained the same at R2 000. These amendments to the Rebate and Valueadded Tax (VAT) exemption item were published in the Government Gazette and came into effect on 01 March. (b) The old DA331 form was enhanced to include the DA307 and DA308 (Temporary Import Permit) and DA65 (Registration of Goods for Re-Importation). The DA65 will no longer be used for travellers and will now only be used to register goods for re-importation, temporarily exported on an SAD 500 declaration. This means that travellers will have to register their goods for re-importation on the enhanced DA331 (Traveller Declaration). However, South African citizens travelling with South African-registered vehicles will no longer have to register their vehicles for re-importation. The biggest advantage of these changes to travellers is that fewer forms need to be filled in and it will mean less time spent queueing at the borders. The DA331 form is available at ports of entry and Customs will consider ad hoc specific requests received from stakeholders for the issuance of DA331 forms in bulk to allow pre-arrival completion”. Proposed Duty Reduction on Bags Comment in respect of the proposed reduction in the rate of customs duty on bags of low density polyethylene, of size not exceeding 15cm x 23cm, with no opening, having one perforated edge that incorporates a plastic-covered wire-sealing mechanism, is due by 15 April 2011. The application was lodged by Guth South Africa (Pty) Ltd who reasoned that the product in question was not manufactured in the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) region and that it was unlikely to be as the product is patented. Proposed Rebate on Castor Oil Comment in respect of the proposed rebate of the full rate of customs duty on dehydrated castor oil in such quantities, at such times and under such conditions as the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) may allow by specific permit for the manufacture of alkyd resins in primary form is due by 15 April 2011. According to the applicant, Uniresins (Pty) Ltd, dehydrated castor oil is not manufactured in Sacu and payment of the duty would be an unnecessary cost for coating/painting manufacturers. Proposed Rebate of the Duty on Textiles and Textile Fabrics Comment in respect of the proposed rebate of the rate of customs duty on artificial filament yarn, yarn, other yarn, and yarn excluding sewing thread is due by 15 April 2011. The Rebate Items are too lengthy to reproduce, but you can request a copy from us. The application was lodged by the Textile Federation of South Africa who reasoned that the products in question were not manufactured in Sacu and that the customs duties paid on raw materials rendered the application uncompetitive against the imported finished product.
