SARS CUSTOMS TRADER SURVEY In a letter dated 19 May 2009, which was released for public information on 10 June 2009, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) announced its Customs Trader Survey. All interested parties are invited to provide their comments on the three-page questionnaire of 25 questions, by no later than 19 June 2009. STREAMLINING MEASURES FOR IMPORTED GOODS On 09 June 2009 Sars issued the following media release – Sars to Introduce Streamlining Measures for Imported Goods. “Sars Acting Commissioner, Oupa Magashula will address the second Annual Congress of the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff) at Emperors Palace tomorrow, 10 June 2009 at 10:00. “The Acting Commissioner will speak to the conference and share Sars’ view on: Global slowdown effect on Trade and Customs; Customs response towards the alleviation of the global crisis; and Fulfilling national priorities and the future. “The Acting Commissioner will also introduce a range of measures to streamline the importation of goods helping to boost trade and reduce the administrative burden on importers.” No further information is available, but it will be made available as soon as it is received. TARIFF AMENDMENTS – 12 JUNE 2009 The following tariff amendments appeared in the Government Gazette of June 12, 2009: The reduction in the rate of customs duty (duty) on clothing articles, classifiable under tariff subheadings 5109.10.90; 5109.90.90; 5401.20.10; 5405.00; 5607.90.10; 5903.10.20; 5903.20.20; 5903.90.20; 5906.10.10; 5907.00.50; 5911.90.40; 5911.90.50; 5911.90.60; 6005.31.05; 6005.32.05; 6005.33.05; 6005.34.05; 6005.41.10; 6005.42.10; 6005.43.10; and 6005.44.10 to free of duty. The following manufacturing rebates (rebate provisions) have been created for clothing articles; 311.40/5208.4/01.05; 311.40/5210.4/01.05; 311.40 /5407.5/01.05; 311.40/5407.61/01.06; 311.40/5408.1/ 01.05; 311.40 /58.01/01.04; and 311.40/58.10/01.04. The reduction in the rate of duty on pencil leads, classifiable under tariff subheading 9609.20 to free of duty. TARIFF AMENDMENTS – 09 JUNE 2009 The substitution of Section A and Section B of Part 3 of Schedule No.1, that relates to environmental levy. Section A is in respect of environmental levy on plastic bags, and Section B in respect of environmental levy on electricity generated in the Republic. The tariff subheadings affected in respect of plastic bags are 3923.21.05, 3923.21.15, 3923.29.05, and 3923.29.15, whilst the tariff subheading in respect of electricity generation in 2716.00. No tariff applications – 12 June 2009 TRADE REMEDY AMENDMENTS – 12 JUNE 2009 A notice appeared in the Government Gazette of June 12, 2009, in respect of the withdrawal of the anti-dumping duties on automatic circuit breakers, with casings of plastics or other insulating material, for a voltage not exceeding 1 000 V, with a current rating not exceeding 800 A and a rupture capacity exceeding 4,5 kA, imported from or originating in France, and Switzerland. The anti-dumping items that are withdrawn with effect from 17 October 2008; are 216.02/8536.20/01.06; 216.02 /8536.20/02.06; and 216.02/8536.20/04.06.
