Duty calls

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 Further Decline in the Use of Anti-dumping Duties On 8 May 2006 the World Trade Organisation (WTO) reported a decline in the number of anti-dumping investigations initiated and anti-dumping duties imposed for the period, 1 July 2005 to 31 December 2005. This marked the fourth consecutive year of decline in new anti-dumping investigations, and the second in respect of the imposition of new anti-dumping duties. During the period, 16 WTO Members (Members) reported the initiation of 82 investigations, compared to 106 for the corresponding period in 2004. A total of 15 members imposed 76 anti-dumping duties, compared to 93 for the same period last year. Twenty-seven (27) of the 82 investigations were initiated by developed members, while all anti-dumping duties imposed were by developed members. The members reporting the most investigations were China (13), followed by Argentina and India (11), the European Community (9), the United States of America (USA), Australia, and South Africa with 5 apiece. China remains the country most frequently subject to the imposition of anti-dumping duties with 33, followed by Malaysia (7), Indonesia and Korea (5), and Chinese Taipei, Thailand and the USA with 4. The products most frequently subject to anti-dumping investigations were chemicals (17), base metals (15), and plastics (12). No Tariff Amendments – 12 May 2006 The correction of the tariff amendment of 13 April 2006, by amending the wording of the last column to the drawback item to read “Extent of Drawback”, replacing the earlier wording “Extent of Rebate”. No Trade Remedy Amendments
– 12 May 2006 Trade Remedy Applications
– No Response Due No Rule Amendments – 12 May 2006