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 Adjustment in the Rate of Customs Duty – Final Notification The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) has proposed the adjustment of certain tariff subheadings from their present applied rate of customs duty (duty) to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) bound rate of duty. Essentially the bound rates of duty are the highest rate of duty that South Africa and SACU can impose on imported products. According to the applicant, the dti, in terms of South Africa’s and Southern African Customs Union (SACU) WTO obligations and in view of the preparatory work for South Africa’s engagement in Non-Agricultural Market Access (NAMA) negotiations, it is imperative that South Africa complies with the provisions of our multilateral trade agreements. Response due 10 November 2006. No Tariff Amendments – 20 October 2006 Tariff Applications – Response Due The increase in the rate of customs duty on non-woven fabric of man-made filaments whether or not impregnated, coated or covered or laminated with plastics from 10% ad valorem to 20% ad valorem. The proposed amendment of the description of clothing and textile rebate items. The proposed reduction in the rate of customs duty on babies’ booties from 30% ad valorem or 500c/2u to free of customs duty. Response due by 17 November 2006. No Trade Remedy Amendments – 20 October 2006 Trade Remedy Applications – No Response Due No Rule Amendments – 20 October 2006 Draft Rule Amendments – Response Due The proposed substitution of Rule 20.03(a) i.e. “Goods Deposited or to be Deposited in a Customs and Excise Warehouse” - to be changed from the existing wording “Any person entering imported goods for warehousing shall produce to the Controller written approval from the licensee to store the goods concerned in his warehouse” to the proposed wording “(a) Any person entering any goods for warehousing shall (i) obtain prior written approval from the licensee of the customs and excise warehouse to store the goods in the warehouse; (ii) keep such written approval and present it to the Controller upon request”. Response due by 24 October 2006
