Draft Customs Control & Customs Duty Bill – 7 Days Left If you are reading this on 19 February 2010 you only have seven days left to comment on the draft Customs Control Bill and the draft Customs Duty Bill. Tariff Amendment – Correction Notice The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has announced the retrospective substitution of the words “Note 15” , with “Note 5” where it appears in Note 20 to Rebate Item 317.04 (Industry: Specified Motor Vehicles), which was published in the Government Gazette of 31 December 2009. The amendment is introduced with retrospective effect from 31 December 2009. Note 20 to Rebate Item 317.04 reads: “The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) may approve and issue import rebate credit certificates to exporters in respect of eligible exports as defined in Note 5, exported, provided the undermentioned conditions are complied with: ...”. Regional Economic Integration Task Force On 04 February 2010 the 9th meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ministerial Task Force on Regional Economic Integration took place at Emperors Palace Convention Centre. The Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to deepening the SADC economic integration agenda as enshrined in the Treaty and the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan. The Task Force discussed progress made in implementing the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA), noting the need to address the outstanding implementation issues in order to reinforce the region’s ability to maximise the benefits. It is expected to meet again before the SADC Summit of Heads of States and Governments, scheduled for August 2010 in Windhoek, Namibia to review progress and prepare its report for the Summit. Action Required • The proposed increase in the rate of customs duty on calcium propionate. • The proposed increase in the rate of customs duty on (i) lysine and its esters; salts thereof; and (ii) feed supplements, containing by mass, 40% or more lysine, whether or not containing added antibiotics or added melengestrol acetate. • The proposed creation of a rebate provision for woven fabrics containing 85% or more by mass of polyester filaments for the use in the manufacture of upholstered furniture. • The proposed review of the dispensation for used overcoats, car-coats, raincoats, anoraks, skijackets, duffle-coats, mantles, parkas and similar clothing articles (excluding wind jackets and windcheaters) in bales not containing other clothing articles, in such quantities, at such times and subject to such conditions as the International Trade Administration of South Africa (Itac), may allow by specific permit. Comment is due by 26 February 2010. Fresh Produce Agents – Unclaimed Moneys A notice appeared in the Government Gazette in respect of the Unclaimed Moneys Payable to Principals of Fresh Produce Agents. According to the notice any person who is of the opinion that he/she is entitled to an amount indicated in the notice must submit a written claim by no later than 12 May 2010.
