On 02 July 2010 the South African Revenue Service (Sars) issued a notice on the proposed introduction of an “Environmental Levy on Carbon Dioxide ( CO2 ) Emissions of Motor Vehicles”. It proposed draft amendments that relate to: (i) The insertion of Environmental Levy Item 151.01, 151.02, and 151.03 in Schedule No.1 Part 3D to the Customs and Excise Act (the Act) – “Environmental Levy on Carbon Dioxide ( CO2 ) Emissions of Motor Vehicles”; (ii) The insertion of Rebate Items 551.01 and 551.02 of the Act – “Refunds of Environmental Levy on Imported Goods”, the insertion of Rebate Items 681.04 and 681.05 of the Act – “Environmental Levy Goods Exported”; (iii) The insertion of Rules 54FB.01 to 54FB.05 to the Act – “Environmental Levy Imposed on Carbon Dioxide Emissions of New Motor Vehicles Manufactured in or Imported into the Republic in terms of Items 151.01, 151.02 or 151.03 of Part 3 of Schedule No. 1” of the Act; and (iv) The insertion of form DA177 “Environmental Levy Account for Carbon Dioxide Emission Levy”. Comment is due on 16 July 2010. New Value-Added Tax Form (VAT 201) On 28 June 2010 Sars announced that a new form for the remittance of Value- Added Tax (VAT) had become available. The changes to the VAT 201 form will impact all vendors, but specifically those involved in the importation and exportation of goods. These vendors will now be required to indicate separately on their declarations all transactions involving the importation and the exportation of goods. This requirement will serve to inform and enhance Sars’ risk assessment across the different taxes it administers. The new VAT 201 form will include: (i) A field (Field 2A) indicating zero-rated supplies of all goods exported from South Africa. (ii) A field (Field 14A) for the calculation of input tax that applies to capital goods imported in respect of which a valid release document is held. (iii) A field (Field 15A) for the calculation of input tax that applies to non-capital goods imported in respect of which a valid release document is held. (iv) A Customs Code which will serve as the exporter’s/ importer’s code, linking the information declared for Customs purposes to the information declared for VAT purposes. Sars also reminded vendors that in the event of field 2A, 14A and 15A having been completed, it will be mandatory for vendors to fill in their Customs Code. A copy of the new form is not available from Sars’ website, but can be requested from your closest Sars branch office. National Pavilion - Food and Beverage Products The Department of Trade and Industry has extended an invitation to all registered exporters in the agroprocessing sector that wish to participate in the Gulfood 2011 food and beverage products exhibition that is scheduled to take place from 27 February 2011 to 02 March 2011, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The focus of the event will be on the following finished food, beverage and health food sectors: food and drink, world food, seafood, gourmet and fine foods, fresh fruit and vegetables, and organic and healthy eating. For more information, visit the official Gulfood 2011 website at www.gulfood.com The deadline for submission of completed National Pavilion application forms is 21 September 2010.
