Sunset Review Unframed Mirrors from India A sunset review of the antidumping duties on unframed mirrors originating in or imported from India has been initiated. The application was lodged by PFG Building Glass, the sole producer of unframed mirrors within the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu). The applicant alleges that the expiry of the antidumping duty would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping and the recurrence of material injury. Itac indicated that PFG Building Glass had submitted sufficient evidence and established a prima facie case to enable Itac to arrive at a reasonable conclusion that a sunset review investigation should be initiated. Importers, overseas exporters and other interested parties are invited to contact the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) to determine whether they have been listed and were furnished with the relevant documentation. Completed importer and exporter questionnaires are due by 27 September 2010. Proposed Duty Increase Aluminium Extrusions A notice has appeared in respect of the proposed increase in the rate of customs duty on aluminium extrusions (bars, rods and profiles) from free of customs duty to 15% ad valorem. The application was lodged by Aluminium Extruders Association which reasoned that the industry needed to adjust as a consequence of the closure of Cast House for billets, global recession, imports, loss of jobs and investment. Comment is due by 17 September 2010. Rebate Item Monitors (No Television) A notice has appeared in respect of the proposed deletion of Rebate Item 460.16/85.28/02.04 i.e. “Monitors not incorporating television apparatus: provided that a certificate of the South African Bureau of Standards is presented at the time of entry that the monitors have more than 600 resolution lines”. The application was lodged by Itac which reasoned that the Rebate Item did not serve its intended purpose and was subject to abuse. Comment is due by 17 September 2010. Taxation Laws Amendment Bill – Intro On 24 August 2010 the South African Revenue Service (Sars) announced the introduction of the Taxation Laws Amendment Bill. The only aspects relating to the Customs and Excise Act are the amendment of the “sin duties” i.e. amendment of Schedule No.1 Part 2A, which relates to liquors, wines, tobacco, and cigarettes, etc. The amendments were announced earlier this year in the National Budget speech. Sars’ Customs Modernisation Programme The third of the Sars key modernisation initiatives is “Implementing risk-based Customs assessment”: The new way of working will provide a risk-based automated facility that will “push” the highest risk declaration at any given time to the assessment officer. This improves integrity of the customs process and will ensure that any opportunity for gain by either an internal user or collusion between internal and external parties is negated. Levies Wheat, Barley and Oats The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in terms of the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act, 1996 has published a notice in respect of the Establishment of Statutory Measure and Determination of Guideline Prices: Levy Relating to Wheat, Barley and Oats.
