Initiating a Tariff Investigation – The First Step In the trying times in which businesses find themselves the obvious objective, other than to maintain their existing client base, is to consider ways of reducing costs. One of the obvious costs is that of tariffs, also known as customs duties, import duties or import taxes. Any business that wants to invest in its future should be investigating the reason for a customs duty(ies) being imposed on either the products that it manufactures or that it imports. Thus the first step on the road is to determine the reason for the imposition of the customs duty in the first place. In essence you will need to establish what I call Tariff History which is easily accessible via the internet. A Tariff History enquiry should at least date from 01 January 1988, the date when the Harmonised System came into operation in South Africa and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), to the present. It is possible to get access to Tariff History prior to this date, but it is unlikely that the cost would be justifiable, or even worth it. Once you have accessed the Tariff History you will have the true reasoning and motivation behind the tariff dispensation, in other words the prevailing rate of customs duty. These are the facts and do not rely on the memory of others. You will not have access to past reports and notices which detail the Tariff History. You are now in a position to move to the next step in your quest to initiate a tariff investigation, which I call Trade Insight, and which will be detailed in next week’s column. Tshwane International Trade Conference From 27 to 29 May 2009 the Tshwane International Trade, Investment and Infrastructure Conference will take place. The Conference will focus on marketing and profiling Tshwane as an African City of choice to do business. It will also include an investor’s conference, and strategies for accelerating growth, among other issues. WCO Secretary Visited SA – 13 May 2009 On this way to the World Customs Organisation (WCO) East and Southern Africa Regional Meeting, the Secretary General of the WCO visited Pretoria on 13 May 2009 to meet the new Minister of Finance in South Africa, Pravin Gordhan. Pears Intended For Sale – Regulations In a Government Gazette dated 15 May 2009 The National Department of Agriculture (NDA) announced the proposed amendment to regulations relating to the grading, packing and marking of pears intended for sale in the Republic of South Africa. Apples Intended For Sale – Regulations In a Government Gazette dated 15 May 2009 The National Department of Agriculture (NDA) announced the proposed amendment to regulations relating to the grading, packing and marking of apples intended for sale in the Republic of South Africa. Tariff Applications and Tariff Amendments – 22 May 2009 There were no tariff applications (increase, reduction, or rebate of the customs duty), and tariff amendments for 22 May 2009 published at the time of going to print. If you are interested in establishing whether a tariff application or a trade remedy or a draft rule amendment (to the Customs and Excise Act) is still subject to comment, please visit www.cargoinfo. co.za) or alternatively you can go to the EVENTS CALENDAR (tariffandtrade.co.za) and click on any date for further information.
