Duty calls

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 of
South African Tariff & Trade Solutions. E-mail: riaan@importsolutions.co.za ITAC’s Tariff Investigations Regulations Published The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) has published its Tariff Investigations Regulations, following an invitation for comments on its Draft Tariff Investigations Regulations published in the Government Gazette of 25 November 2005. The Regulations relate to investigations for the reduction of the rate of customs duty (duty), the increase in the rate of duty, and the creation or removal of rebate or drawback provisions with regard to duty. A copy of the regulations is available on request. Revised Rebate Item 470.03 Guidelines ITAC has announced through the Government Gazette that the Guidelines for Applications for Permits i.t.o. Item 470.03 of Schedule 4 to the Customs and Excise Act, 1964, published on 17 March 2006, have been corrected. A copy is available on request. National Export Strategy Workshop Business Unity South Africa’s (BUSA) Committee on Trade Policy will, on 15 May 2006, host a Workshop on the National Export Strategy, to be addressed by Riaan le Roux, Chief Director: Export Promotion at the Department of Trade and Industry (dti). The National Export Strategy is supported by interventions set out in South Africa’s Industrial Policy, the Customised Sector Programmes, and comprises the following key elements: • Prioritisation of markets; • Market access; • National trade information system; • Exporter development; • Export promotion schemes; • Export finance and financing products; and • Monitoring and evaluation. Amendment to the Customs and Excise Rules The insertion of Rule 7 i.e. report of arrival or departure of ships and aircraft, Rule 11 i.e. landing of unentered goods, and Rule 21 i.e. special customs and excise warehouses. The introduction of form DA1A i.e. cargo declaration (in respect of fish imported from foreign trawlers), and form DA1B i.e. account (for fish received into exports storage warehouse). The amendment of form DA70 i.e. Application to make provisional payment. The proposed amendment is to delete the obsolete reference to “regulations”, and to substitute all “admission of guilt” with “administrative penalties”. Comments are invited by no later than 12 May 2006. No Tariff Amendments – 5 May 2006 Tariff Applications – Response Due Reduction in the rate of duty on preparations put up as salmon food from 20% ad valorem to free of duty. Response due by 25 May 2006. Increase in the rate of duty on tools of two or more put up in sets for retail sale from free of duty to 20% ad valorem. Rebate of the customs duty on other woven fabrics of synthetic fibres or the manufacture of headgear. Response due by 19 May 2006. No Trade Remedy Amendments
– 5 May 2006 Trade Remedy Applications
– No Response Due No Rule Amendments
– 5 May 2006 Rule Amendments – Response Due Please refer to “Amendment to the Customs and Excise Rules”.