Customs Tariff Cautionary™ Every week you are exposed to Customs tariff applications on which comment is due. Then they seemingly disappear only to resurface as a Customs tariff amendment. The strange thing is that during the process of investigation companies are not preparing or even anticipating a Customs tariff amendment. As a consequence the Customs tariff amendment normally hits like a bolt out of the blue. Based on our analysis, we will in future provide you with a Customs Tariff Cautionary™. This is an alert of the possible Customs tariff amendment that we foresee due to the time that has lapsed since the investigation was initiated. This week we offer two Customs Tariff Cautionary™ notices, both Code RED. The first – the Customs tariff amendments in respect of the customs duty structure for certain pneumatic tyres of rubber classifiable under tariff subheading 4011.10, 4011.20.15, 4011.20.22, 4011.20.24, and 4011.20.26 were expected around 18 April 2014 and are, according to our calculation, overdue. The second – the Customs tariff amendment is expected around 14 November 2014 for helical springs, classifiable under tariff subheading 7320.20, from 5% ad valorem to 30% ad valorem, by way of creating an additional 8-digit tariff subheading under 7320.20 for helical springs with a wire diameter of more than 1.32mm but not exceeding 2.43mm. Trade Remedy Cautionary™ Although anti-dumping investigations do not appear as regularly as Customs tariff applications, they do have a direct impact on imported products, restricting access for five years. Thereafter they could be subject to an extension by means of a Sunset Review. After publication, and a comment period of 37 days, these investigations, with the exception of Sunset Reviews, are subject to two phases, a preliminary determination and a final determination. Again these changes do not seem to be anticipated. We will in future provide you with a Trade Remedy Cautionary™, an alert of the possible anti-dumping amendment that we foresee due to the time that has lapsed since the investigation was initiated. Tax Administration Laws Bill On 17 October 2014 the South African Revenue Service (Sars) published the Explanatory Summary of the Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill, 2014 and advised of the Minister of Finance’s intention to introduce the bill in Parliament on 22 October 2014. On that day Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene will present the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS). Duty Calls Watch List Comment on the “Third Batch” of draft Rules to the Customs Control Act No 31 of 2014 is due by 14 November 2014. Comment on the Sunset Review of the anti-dumping duties on stainless steel sinks, classifiable under tariff subheading 7324.10, originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China and Malaysia, is due by 27 October 2014.
