TCIDP Extended with Retrospective Effect The Textile and Clothing Industry Development Programme (TCIDP) has been extended with retrospective effect from 01 April 2007 to 31 March 2009. Taxation Laws Amendment Act, 2008 On 22 July 2008, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) published the Taxation Laws Amendment Act No 3 of 2008. The sole amendment from a customs and excise perspective relates to Schedule No.1 Part 2A of the Customs and Excise Act (the Act), or the rates of the specific customs duty and specific excise duty. You will no doubt also know it as the “sin taxes”. Cape Verde the 153rd WTO Member On 23 July 2008, Cape Verde became the 153rd member country of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), having started accession negotiations in 1999. Reaffirming the SACU-EFTA FTA The Department of Trade and Industry has published a communiqué to confirm the landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) on 01 May 2008. SACU comprises Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland, while EFTA comprises Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The EFTA states are the only countries in Western Europe not party to the European Union (EU). Tariff Application Correction– Comment Due The proposed amendment to Schedule No.3 of the Act, Industrial Rebates of Customs Duties, for the industry – Reception Apparatus for Television, and Parts thereof. The application neglected to mention that it also related to the normal customs duties in Schedule No.1 of the Customs and Excise Act, which was subsequently rectified. The application was lodged by Tedelex Trading (Pty) Ltd who argued that due to technological advancement the existing rebate provision no longer served its intended use. In addition, the current rebate does not accommodate the importation of components for the manufacture of LCDs and Plasmas. Comment due by 12 September 2008. Trade Remedy Application – Comment Due Investigation into the alleged dumping and subsidisation of stainless steel sinks originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China and Malaysia. The application was lodged by Franke Kitchen Systems (Pty) Ltd, the major manufacturer of the product in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). The Applicant alleges that it cannot compete with the low prices charged by the importers and that the allegedly dumped and subsidised products are causing it material injury. Comment due 01 September 2008.
