Increase in Levy on Plastic Carrier Bags Sars has announced a proposed amendment of the Environmental Levy on plastic carrier bags. The proposed increase from 3c/bag to 4c/bag will come into effect on 01 April 2009. Increase in Fuel Levy and Road Accident Levy Sars has announced that with effect from 01 April 2009 (i) The Fuel Levy on petrol will be increased by 23c/li from 127c/li to 150c/li; (ii) The Fuel Levy on diesel will be increased from 111c/li to 135c/li; (iii) The Fuel Levy on biodiesel will be increased from 55.5c/li to 67.5c/li; (iv) and The Road Accident Fund Levy will be increased by 17.5c/li from 46.5c/li to 64c/li. Amendment to Schedule No.6 Part 3 of the C&E Act Sars has published a notice in respect of the substitution of Note 6(b) to Part 3 of Schedule No.6 to the Act, which is in respect of the Rebates and Refunds of Fuel Levy and Road Accident Fund Levy. It relates to the extent of the refund for eligible purchases: (i) On Land; (ii) Offshore; (iii) Harbour Vessels; (iv) Rail; and (iv) Electricity Generation Plants. Maritime Transport Security Bill – Comment The Department of Transport has published a notice titled, “Publication for Public Comments: Maritime Transport Security Bill, 2009”. All interested parties are invited to comment by no later than 01 April 2009. Merchant Shipping Tracking – Comment Due The Department of Transport has published a notice titled Publication for Public Comments: Merchant Shipping (Long-Range Identification and Tracking of Ships) Regulations, 2009. All interested parties are invited to submit comments on the 14-page document by no later than 01 April 2009. Trade Statistics Online – Just One Click On 31 March 2009 at 14:00 the South African Revenue Service (Sars) will release the import and export statistics, also known as the trade statistics, for the month of February 2009. At 15:00 on the date of the publication of these statistics you can obtain a detailed analysis free of charge by simply visiting www.tariffandtrade.co.za and then selecting the Trade Trend Insight table for the month. This table provides you with the trade trends for a 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12-month period. By subscribing you can also access the trade statistics for the products that you import, export or manufacture domestically. If you are interested in learning more about any of the articles in this column, please send an email with “Duty Calls” as well as the article title in the subject line.
