Customer Satisfaction Survey On February 22 the South African Revenue Service (Sars) advised by letter that in an effort to improve its service, the Customer Satisfaction Survey had been adapted to be more efficient. This survey affords clients the opportunity to raise issues encountered in different business areas in Customs operations as well as rate the quality of the service delivered. The results of the survey are being published on a quarterly basis. Issues raised are escalated and addressed by the applicable managers. Sars has urged all its clients to take part in the electronic survey. To access the survey, log onto www.sars.gov.za/home. asp?pid=64728. Licensing, Registration and Designation On February 16 Sars released its External Policy – Licensing, Registration and Designation. According to the scope of the document: (i) This policy deals with the types of licences, registrations and designations administered by Customs and sets the requirements that must be met prior to and subsequent to licensing, registration or designation for selected activities. (ii) This policy also covers the application, verification and approval process for approved exporters with regards to: (a) Protocol 1 of the Agreement on Trade, Development and Co-operation between the European Community and its Member States and South Africa (TDCA); and (b) Of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Free Trade Association (Efta) and the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu). (iii) The purpose of licensing serves as a regulatory activity that gives guidance on acceptable behaviour and practice. The following Customs client licences are covered by this policy: (a) Customs and Excise Warehouses: (ai) Special Manufacturing Warehouses; (aii) Manufacturing Warehouses including Customs Controlled Area (CCA) Enterprises; (aii) Storage Warehouses including CCA Enterprises; and (aiv) Special Storage Warehouses; (b) Clearing Agents; (c) Removers of goods in bond; (d) Container Depots; (e) Wrecks; and (f) Degrouping depots. There are two categories of registered clients: (i) The first category is general importers and exporters. The client pays all duties/taxes upfront before taking possession of the goods; and (ii) The second category is clients registered for rebate facilities. These clients are allowed to import goods without paying duties under certain conditions i.e. for processing, manufacturing, and packaging with the intention of exporting them. The following Customs client registrations are covered by this policy: Importers; Exporters (General); Exporters for Southern African Development Community (SADC), TDCA and Sacu/ European Free Trade Association (Efta); Exporters for African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa); Approved Exporters for TDCA, Sacu/ Efta; Exporters/Producers for Generalised System of Preferences (GSP); Rebate users (Schedule No.3, No.4 and No.6); Manufacturers; Special Manufacturing Warehouses – Motor Industry Development Programme (MIDP); Electronic communication with Sars (for whatever purpose); Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) Operators; Deferment; and Manufacturers in terms of Drawback Items 502.00 to 521.00. The designation of CCAs is also covered in this document, whilst the policy excludes (i) Surety – please refer to SC-SE-05; and (ii) Other designations that are not IDZ/CCA related activities.
