Airport Charges – 01 April 2010 In a December 2009 Government Gazette the Airports Company of South Africa Limited (Acsa) announced the airport charges that it will levy from 01 April 2010. Air Traffic Charges – 01 April 2010 In a December 2009 Government Gazette the Air Traffic and Navigation Services Company Limited announced the air traffic service charges that it will levy from 01 April 2010. Trade Statistics – November 2009 On 30 December 2009 the South African Revenue Service (Sars) published November 2009 trade statistics detailing a trade deficit (imports exceeding exports) of R2.5 billion. This brought the trade deficit for the year, 01 January 2009 to 30 November 2009, to R29.18bn compared to R62.89bn for the same period in 2008. With only the December 2009 trade statistics to be published, there is one certainty that the trade deficit will be lower than that of 2008, but there will be a trade deficit nonetheless. Rule Amendments – SADC Origin Protocol In a Government Gazette notice dated 31 December 2009, Sars announced an amendment to Rules 49B to the Customs and Excise Act which relate to the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Rule 49B relates to the Treaty of the South African Development Community and Protocols Concluded under Article 22 thereof. The amendments relate to the issue of origin. Draft Customs Control & Customs Duty Bill – 35 Days Today, 22 January 2010, there are only 35 days left for you to comment on the Draft Customs Control Bill, and the Draft Customs Duty Bill, which were first published on 30 October 2009. You will recall that the two draft Bills form the legislative platform for changes to people, policy, processes and technology which will be delivered under the Customs Modernisation programme. Action Required – Your Reminder At the request of readers we will remind you of those issues on which comment is due. For ease of reference the issue in which the original notice was published is provided in brackets. • Tariff applications relating to (i) the proposed reduction in the rate of customs duty on self-copy paper; (ii) the proposed increase in the rate of customs duty on glycerol; and (iii) the proposed increase in the dollar-based reference price for wheat, in respect of which comment is due by 29 January 2010 (Duty Calls – 15 January 2010). • The amendment of the Rules to the Customs and Excise Act relating to form DA90. Form DA90 is titled “Claim in respect of Excise Duty and Fuel Levy on Motor Fuel used by Diplomatic and Other Foreign Representatives in terms of Items 602.01, 602.02 and 640.1 of Schedule No. 6 to the Customs and Excise Act, No.91 of 1964”, on which comment is due by 29 January 2010. (Duty Calls – 15 January 2010).
