Sars Update on 2010 FIFA World Cup On 18 June 2009 the South African Revenue Service (Sars) issued a media release titled, Update on Sars’ 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup Preparations. The release also states that Sars has put special Customs and revenue measures in place to meet its Fifa obligations for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Sars Customs Seizure of Ephedrine In a Media Release dated 12 June 2009 Sars announced that, on that day, it had seized Ephedrine with a street value of R3.6 million at OR Tambo International. Ephedrine is apparently regarded as the base for most narcotics and is utilised frequently in the manufacture of Mandrax. On the same day the Dog Unit was involved in the successful seizure of 65 master cases of cigarettes in a private storage facility in Marlboro, Sandton. Each master case consists of 50 cartons each comprising 500 packets of cigarettes. The illegal cigarettes, with a value of R422 500, were found to have incorrect health warnings and also did not have the diamond stamp that certifies cigarettes that can be legally sold in South Africa. Tariff Amendment – Monitors – 19 June 2009 The creation of a manufacturing rebate (also known as a Schedule No.3 rebate facility or rebate provision) for liquid crystal display (LCD) panels for the manufacture of video monitors incorporating an automatic data processing machine. The rebate is free of duty, which means that no customs duty (duty) is payable on the imported LCD panels, provided that it is used in the manufacture of video monitors incorporating an automatic data processing machine, as per the defined tariff subheading. Tariff Amendments – Pineapples – 19 June 2009 The creation of two temporary rebate provisions for: Canned pineapples in containers holding 3 kg or more, in such quantities, at such times and under such conditions as the International Trade Administration Commission may allow by specific permit for further processing, provided that the Commission is satisfied that pineapples suitable for canning are not available in sufficient quantities in the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) area. The extent of the rebate is free of duty. Canned pineapples, in such quantities, at such times and under such conditions as the International Trade Administration Commission may allow by specific permit, provided that the Commission is satisfied that pineapples suitable for canning are not available in sufficient quantities in the Sacu area. The extent of the rebate is full duty less 20%, which means that only 20% of the duty will be payable (also said to be ‘liable’). Competition – Decision To Approve Merger In a Government Gazette notice of 19 June 2009 the Competition Tribunal published the following notices in respect of the Notification of Decision to Approve Merger: (i) Crest Chemicals (Pty) Ltd and CH Chemicals (Pty) Ltd; (ii) Bidpaper Plus (Pty) Ltd and Pretoria Wholesale Stationers (Pty) Ltd; (iii) Federated Timbers (Pty) Ltd t/a Builders Trade Depot and the Buildrite Group; (iv) Mogs (Pty) Ltd and Elbroc Mining Products (Pty) Ltd and Stope Technology Services (Pty) Ltd; and (v) Aquarius Platinum Limited and Ridge Mining Plc. Competition – Complaint Referral In a Government Gazette notice of 19 June 2009 the Competition Tribunal published the following notice in respect of the Notification of Complaint Referral. The Tribunal received a complaint referral from Preferred Provider Negotiators (Pty) Ltd against Iso Leso Optics Limited.
