A weekly summary of the main changes to the South African tariff dispensation and amendments to customs and excise legislation. Compiled by Riaan de Lange. E-mail: riaan.de.lange@za.pwc.com PricewaterhouseCoopers Customs & International Trade (CIT) consultancy Rule Amendment (DAR/89) - 12 March The substitution of customs and excise airports, and places for landing or embarkation of persons, as well as the addition to the container terminals in respect of Cape Town. Surety Bond Validation Over the last four months the South African Revenue Services (SARS) has undertaken the validation of the surety bonds held at its respective offices. The initial validation of the surety bonds was requested no later than 29 February. The SARS has granted an extension until 23 March, and has indicated that those companies not responding will, as a consequence, have certain provisions of the Customs and Excise Act instituted against them. Draft 470.03 guidelines - comment closed (12 March) Safeguard Regulations - comment closed (15 March) Draft Rule Amendment - 12 March A notice has appeared in the Government Gazette in respect of the invitation to comment on the proposed rules for degrouping depots, including the pro forma bond, and surety bond. Comment due by 23 March. Tariff Amendments - 12 March The have been a number changes to the tariff heading and tariff subheadings check digits. Tariff application - Response due A comprehensive description of the tariff application is given the first time it is published; thereafter only the essential information is given. The proposed withdrawal of rebate item “Can Sealing and Bottle Cap Lining Preparations - Vinyl Chloride Polymers” and the exclusion of tariff subheading 3904.22 i.e. “Other Poly (Vinyl Chloride) - Plasticised” from a rebate item “Closures and Closure Linings”. Response due by 26 March. No anti-dumping amendments - 12 March Anti-dumping investigation - Response due Southern African Customs Union (SACU) manufacturers of stainless steel sinks are reminded that they need to submit detailed information to the ITAC by no later than 17 June.
