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 Tariff & Trade Intelligence. E.mail: riaan@tariffandtrade.co.za ATI Customs & Excise Training Programme The African Tax Institute (ATI) is an Institute devoted to training, research and technical assistance in the areas of tax policy and tax administration on the African continent. As part of its training ATI is presenting a Customs Duties programme from 16 to 2 1 June 2008, and an Excise Taxation programme from 2 3 to 2 8 June 2008. The ATI programmes are open to participants from all African countries, with registrations closing on 16 May 2 008. It is understood that a number of programmes are nearly fully subscribed. Taxation Laws Amendment Bills 2008 On 22 February 2 008 the South African Revenue Service (SARS) published a media statement by National Treasury announcing the release of the draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bills, 2 008 for public comment. This legislation, along with the Revenue Laws Amendment Bill due later this year, will give effect to the tax proposals presented by the Minister of Finance in the 2 008 National Budget. Consultation on Sacu Consolidation The Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) secretariat has commissioned a study on the consolidation of the organision. The key objective is “to identify the key institutional, policy and trade policy challenges facing its five members (South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland) in achieving full implementation of Sacu”. The consultants undertaking the research will meet with South African stakeholders to discuss the issue on 29 February 2008. Note: This is a non comprehensive statement of the law. No liability can be accepted for errors and omissions.
