We trust that you had a restful and peaceful festive season. Our first few editions will bring you up to date with recent published changes. Draft Customs Control & Customs Duty Bill – 42 Days Today, 15 January 2010, there are only 42 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 that will be delivered under the Customs Modernisation programme. Draft Rule Amendments – Comment Due The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has invited all interested parties to comment on the amendment of the rules to the Customs and Excise Act relating to form DA90. Form DA 90 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”. Comment is due by 29 January 2010. Sars Letter – Update of Client Information In a letter dated 08 December 2009, which was published on 21 December 2009, Sars informed its external stakeholders of a process on which it was embarking in the New Year. According to Sars, in an endeavour to update its registration and licensing database, its Customs and Border Management (CBM) division has embarked on a registration and licensing verification initiative scheduled to commence in January 2010. Self-Copy Paper – Comment Due The proposed reduction in the rate of customs duty on self-copy paper, classifiable under tariff subheadings 4809.20 and 4816.20, from 3.8% ad valorem to free of customs duty, in respect of which comment is due by 29 January 2010. Glycerol – Comment Due The proposed increase in the rate of customs duty on glycerol, classifiable under tariff subheading 2905.45 from free of duty to 10% ad valorem. Comment is due by 29 January 2010. Wheat Reference Price – Comment Due The proposed increase in the dollar-based reference price for wheat, classifiable under tariff subheading 1001.90 from US$/157 ton to US$260/ ton. Comment is due by 29 January 2010. Competition Commission – Oil and Petroleum In a Government Gazette notice dated 18 December 2009 the Competition Commission announced an Application for an Exemption that it had received from the South African Petroleum Industry Association (Sapia). Comment is due by 29 January 2010. Sacu Industrial Policy Framework Tender The Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) has extended an invitation for Study to Develop a Sacu Industrial Development Policy Framework. The request for tender closes at 15:00 on 15 January 2010.
