Increase in Customs Duty on Pigments A notice has been published in respect of (i) the proposed increase in the rate of customs duty on pigments and preparations based on chrome oxide green, lead chromate, zinc chromate, barium chromate or strontium chromate, inorganic pigments, classifiable under tariff subheading 3206.20.10 from free of customs duty to 10% ad valorem; and (ii) possible re-instatement of rebate items 306.04/3206.20 /01.06 and 311.01/32.06/01.00, which existed prior to the reduction of tariff subheading 3206.20.10. Comment is due by 26 March 2010. Trade Deficit for January 2010 On 26 February the South African Revenue Service (Sars) released the South African trade figures (import and export statistics) for January 2010. A R3.3 billion trade deficit was recorded in comparison to the R17.7 billion for January 2009. This was the lowest trade deficit for January compared to the 2008 and 2007 figures. The main reason for the trade deficit is the decline in exports and an increase in imports of mineral products, imports and machinery and electronic equipment. Income Tax – Meals and Incidental Costs The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has given notice of the Determination of the Daily Amount in respect of Meals and Incidental Costs for purposes of Section 8(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1962 (Act No.58 of 1962. The commencement date is 01 March 2010. NAMC Registration Directly Affected Group The National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) has extended an “Invitation to Register as a Directly Affected Group in terms of the Marketing of Agricultural Product Act”. The NAMC is updating its “Register of Directly Affected Groups” for each commodity in the agricultural sector. A “directly affected group” means any group of people party to the production, sale, purchase, processing or consumption of an agricultural product and includes labour employed in the production or processing of such a product. Fifa Scheduled Substances/Medical Events In a Government Gazette dated 26 February 2010 the following notices appeared in respect of the approval of medicines, scheduled substances and medical devices: • Draft 2010 Health Regulations: Invitation to Submit your Inputs on the Draft Regulations Relating to the Accreditation of Foreign Medical Contingents and Approval of Medicines, Scheduled Substances and Medical Devices. • Second 2010 Fifa World Cup South Africa Special Measures Act: Regulations Relating to the Accreditation of Foreign Medical Contingents and Approval of Medicines, Scheduled Substances and Medical Devices.
