Coated steel application The Customs tariff application for the proposed increase in the “General” rate of customs duty from free (0%) to 10% ad valorem on zinc coated/galvanised steel, aluminium-zinc coated steel and paint coated steel was published in the Government Gazette of 19 December 2014. One of the reasons cited for the application was that South African producers of the product were suffering from intense import competition on the price of the product. Comment is due by 23 January 2015. Lithium battery application The Customs tariff application for the proposed reduction in the “General” rate of customs duty on other primary cells and primary batteries of lithium, cylindrical (excluding those of a height not exceeding 7mm), of a diameter exceeding 19mm from 10% ad valorem to free of customs duty was published in the Government Gazette of 19 December 2014. One of the reasons cited for the application was that there were no known Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) manufacturers of 3.6V lithium batteries. Comment is due by 23 January 2015. Customs Control Act Workshop On 18 December 2014 the fourth batch of the draft Customs Control Rules for Chapters 32 to 41 – Chapters 32 (Purpose for which places of entry or exit may be used), 33 (Restrictions on use of places of entry or exit), 34 (Places of entry or exit in terms of international agreements with adjoining countries), 35 (Information sharing agreements), 36 (Places of entry for foreign-going vessels and aircraft), 37 (Calls or landings resulting from forced circumstances), 38 (Places of entry or exit for cross-border trains), 39 (Places of entry or exit of vehicles), 40 (Places of entry or exit for persons), and 41 (Places of entry or exit for goods) – were published for comment and on 19 December 2014 draft Chapter 37 (Calls or landings resulting from forced circumstances) amendments to be read with the fourth batch were published. Comment is due by 30 January 2015. While away As we predicted in our last column, the Sunset Review investigation into the alleged dumping of tall oil fatty acid from Sweden concluded on 22 December 2014, with the termination of the anti-dumping duties. In addition, the provisional anti-dumping duties on frozen bone-in chicken meat lapsed on 03 January 2014 (this notification is yet to appear). Duty Calls’ Watch List Comment on the draft Rule Amendment to the Customs and Excise Act under section 47 (Compulsory tariff determinations for alcoholic beverages) of the Customs and Excise Act is due by 9 January 2015. By way of explanation, the Section 47(9)(a)(iv) of the Act amendment (clause 15 in the Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill, B14 of 2014) imposes compulsory tariff determinations for alcoholic beverages. The draft Rules are intended to give effect to the amendment and provide clarity on its phasing in.
