Cement dumping investigation On 22 August 2014 the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) announced the initiation of an investigation into the alleged dumping of portland cement, classifiable under tariff subheading 2523.29, originating in or imported from Pakistan and being dumped on the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) market, causing material injury to the Sacu cement industry. The application was lodged by Afrisam (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, Lafarge Industries South Africa (Pty) Ltd, NPC Cimpor (RF) (Pty) Ltd and PPC Ltd who submitted sufficient evidence and established a prima facie case to enable Itac to arrive at a reasonable conclusion that an investigation should be initiated on the basis of dumping, material injury and/or threat of material injury and causality. Comment is due by 02 October 2014. Caustic soda investigation Itac on 22 August 2014 announced the creation of a Rebate Item (rebate provision) on sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) in aqueous solution (soda lye or liquid soda), classifiable in tariff subheading 2815.12, for use in the manufacture of sodium hypo chlorite solution, classifiable in tariff subheading 2828.90. The application was lodged by NCP Chlorchem (Pty) Ltd who reasoned that the product in question was not manufactured in sufficient quantities in the Sacu market. Comment is due by 19 September 2014. Iron/steel wire customs duty increase On 22 August 2014 the South African Revenue Service (Sars) announced an increase in the “General” rate of customs duty on wire of iron or nonalloy steel, plated or clad with other base metals, classifiable under tariff subheading 7217.30, from free of customs duty to 10% ad valorem. The application took 130 days to complete. Vitrifiable Enamels Tariff Sars on 22 August 2014 announced the substitution of tariff subheading 3207.20, “Vitrifiable enamels and glazes, engobes (slips) and similar preparations”, and the insertion of tariff subheadings 3207.20.10 “Vitrifiable enamels and similar preparations” and 3207.20.20 “Vitrifiable glazes, engobes (slips) and similar preparations”. The “General” rate of duty on tariff subheading 3207.20.10 was set at 5% ad valorem, whilst the remaining rate of duty is free. The application took 182 days to complete. Customs Control Act Rules On 18 August 2014 Sars invited participation in the first workshop session on the Rules to Chapters 1, 3 to 10 to the Customs Control Act, 2014 to be held on 29 August 2014 at 09:00 to 13:00 at Linton House Auditorium, Sars, Brooklyn, Pretoria. To reserve your place, send an email to sauthar@sars.gov. za, by 25 August 2014. Duty Calls’ Watch List Comment on “the second batch” of draft rules of the Customs Control Act are due by no later than 26 September 2014. (Chapters 11 to 20 and 24).
