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 Pricewaterhouse Coopers Customs & International Trade (CIT) consultancy
Tariff Amendments and Rule Amendments
- 29 October
There were no tariff amendments and rule amendments available at the time of printing.
Tariff Applications
- Response due
The increase in the rate of duty on two-wheeled tractors of a cylinder capacity exceeding 2000cm3 but not exceeding 12 000cm3, to 10% ad valorem in the general column, with the rate of duty in the European Union (EU) and the South African Development Community (SADC) columns remaining at free of duty. The application was lodged by Bell Equipment (Pty) Ltd.
The reason stated for the application is that trucks made by Bell Equipment Company (Pty) Ltd (Bell) are of articulation type consisting of a front hauling section and a rear trailer/tipper section. Bell is concerned that if two parts are imported separately, the protective duty on trucks, which is 10% ad valorem, could be circumvented especially on the hauling unit, as this is where the main value lies. By a limited disassembly, the tractor portion, which is classifiable under tariff subheading 8701.90.90, can be imported at 5% ad valorem general rate of duty and free if imported from the EU. The applicant is of the opinion that the duties should be brought in line with those of hauling units, which are classifiable under tariff subheading 8701.20.20.
Response due by 3 December 2004.
The reduction in the rate of duty on herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators with alachlor as active ingredient, classifiable under tariff subheading 3808.30.10 from 3.3% ad valorem to free of duty under the EU and 10% ad valorem to free under the general rate of duty. The applicant is Vila Crop Protection (Pty) Ltd.
The reason for the application is that herbicides containing alchlor as active ingredient are used as a formulation that controls grasses and certain broad-leaved weeds. The applicant states that this particular formulation is not manufactured in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and therefore no justification exists for the current rates of general and EU duties.
Response due by 3 December 2004.
Review of the duty structure on stainless steel products, classifiable under tariff headings 72.19 and 72.20, from 5% ad valorem to free of duty.
Response due by 12 November 2004.
Reduction of the duty on air springs, classifiable under tariff subheading 8716.90 and 8708.99.90, from 15% ad valorem and 20% ad valorem respectively to free of duty. The application was lodged by BPW Axles (Pty) Ltd who stated that there were no Southern African Customs Union (SACU) manufacturers of air springs and the duty payable was increasing the already high cost of importing the product.
Response due by 22 October 2004.
No Anti-dumping Amendments
- 29 October
There were no anti-dumping amendments notified at the time of printing.
Anti-dumping Applications - Response Due
