2011 The Year of Knowledge The World Customs Organisation (WCO) has announced that 2011 will be celebrated as the “Year of Knowledge”. According to the Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya, 2011 will be dedicated to knowledge and the critical part it plays in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations across the globe. Under the guise of the theme “Knowledge, a catalyst for Customs excellence”, Mikuriya urged the WCO’s 177 member Customs administrations as well as the Customs community’s stakeholders to be innovative and creative in taking forward the knowledge theme in all its facets during 2011. The “Year of Knowledge” will be launched on International Customs Day, celebrated annually by the global Customs community on 26 January in honour of the inaugural session of the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC) which took place on 26 January 1953. The CCC adopted the informal working name “World Customs Organisation” in 1994 to better reflect its worldwide growth in membership. Expectations of The National Budget Each year, with the announcement of The National Budget, changes are proposed to the “sin duties” i.e. Schedule No.1 Part 2A to the Customs and Excise Act (the Act), whilst the “luxury duties” i.e. Schedule No.1 Part 2B to the Act have remained unchanged for a number of years now. The National Budgets of recent years have also contained references to changes in the customs and excise environment. With the next budget speech to be delivered just over a month from now, our expectations, without having applied our minds, are the retention of the status quo. We expect increases in the “sin duties” with the “luxury duties” remaining unchanged. Who knows, there may even be reference to the Customs Duty Bills. We welcome your predictions and expectations. Itac Report on Worn Overcoats On 12 January 2011 the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) released its Report No.351 “Review of Rebate Item 460.11/00.00/01.00 for the Importation of Used Overcoats”. Schedule No.8 – Licence Fee The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has called for comment on the proposed amendment of Schedule No.8 to the Act. Closing date for comments is 31 January 2011. Draft Rule Amendment – Petroleum / Diesel Sars has invited comment on draft Rule Amendments to the Act relating to petroleum products and biodiesel. Closing date for comments is 31 January 2011. Draft Rule Amendment – Section 38 Sars has invited comment on the draft Rule Amendments to Section 38 of the Act. Closing date for comments is 31 January 2011. Duty Calls’ “Watch List” Future amendments: Anti-dumping duty on paper insulated lead covered electric cables originating in or imported from India. Tariff application for the amendment of the tariff subheadings for monitors. Tarff application for amendment of Rebate Item for canned pineapples. Rules for the Electricity Levy (Schedule No.1 Part 3B to the Act). Rules for spirits, vermouth, and wine (Rules to Section 38 to the Act).
