EDI Bulletin Board In a letter dated November 19 the South African Revenue Service (Sars) announced its Electronic Data Interface (EDI) Bulletin Board. It’s an Internet-based facility that allows for clients (external stakeholders) to view any EDI-related issues. According to the letter, the status updates of problems experienced with EDI are posted on the bulletin board. Sars has encouraged clients to consult the bulletin board prior to calling the branch or head office for notifications or updates. It can be accessed by visiting http://commerce.sars.gov. za/EDIBulletinBoard/ BulletinForm.aspx Partnership in Customs Academic Research and Development The 5th World Customs organisation (WCO) and Partnership in Customs Academic Research and Development (PICARD) Conference took place in Abu Dhabi from November 23-25. Around 200 participants from Customs and the academic world gathered to share their research outcomes relevant to the WCO agenda as well as developments in Customs’ professional education. The topics of discussion at the Conference were: Revenue Collection, the Customs-Business Partnership, the Protection of the Environment and Performance Measurement. The conference was co-chaired by Professors David Widdowson (University of Canberra) and Hans-Michael Wolffgang (University of Münster) and included a range of speakers from Customs, academia, the World Bank and business. Two universities, the University of Costa Rica and the National Research University (International Business and Law Institute) of Saint Petersburg were certified as meeting WCO Professional Standards. To view Conference presentations visit: http:// www.wcoomd.org/event. htm. At the Conference the 2011 theme for International Customs Day on January 26 was also announced – “Knowledge, a Catalyst for Excellence in Customs”. Duty Calls “Watch List” Future amendments: Draft Excise Form DA260 with respect to wine. The DA forms and its annexures relate to SOS warehouses, OS warehouses and SVM warehouses. Anti-dumping duty on paper insulated lead covered electric cables originating in or imported from India. Rules for the Electricity Levy (Schedule No.1 Part 3B to the Customs and Excise Act). South African Harmonised Tariff 2011 to come into operation on 01 January 2011.
