Sugar duty reduction On 27 June 2014 the South African Revenue Service (Sars) announced a reduction in the rates of customs duty on sugar in Schedule No 1 Part 1 to the Customs and Excise Act (Act), classifiable under tariff subheadings 1701.12, 1701.13, 1701.14, 1701.91 and 1701.99, from 132c/kg to 92.6c/kg. Liquor tariff amendment – comment due Sars on 20 June 2014 published for comment by 11 July 2014 four draft tariff amendment notices proposing changes to Schedule No 6 to the Act, namely: (i) insertion of Note 4 in Part 1B as a condition that manufacturers will have to register with Sars in terms of Rebate Item 619.07; (ii) insertion of Rebate Item 619.07/104.10.20/01.01 in Part 1B to provide for a rebate of the excise duty on beer made from malt to be used in the manufacture of non-alcoholic beverages; (iii) insertion of Rebate Items in Part 1C to provide for a rebate of the excise duty on other fermented beverages (OFBs) to be used in the manufacture of non-alcoholic beverages; and (iv) insertion of new Rebate Items in Part 1D to provide for a rebate of excise duty on spirits to be used in the manufacture of other mixtures of fermented fruit beverages or mead beverages and non-alcoholic beverages, fortified (excluding wine), and the substitution of Rebate Item 621.11 in Part 1D to include other mixtures of fermented fruit beverages, mead beverages and nonalcoholic beverages. Wheelbarrow Anti-dumping Investigation On 20 July 2014 Itac announced the initiation of an investigation into the alleged dumping of wheelbarrows, classifiable under tariff subheading 8716.80.10, originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China. The application was lodged by Lasher Tools. Feed products export control The Executive Officer: Agricultural Product Standards of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Daff) on 27 June announced his intention to request the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to amend the regulations regarding control of the export of feed products. Comment is due by 31 July 2014. Fresh vegetables export control On 27 June 2014 the Executive Officer: Agricultural Product Standards of the Daff announced his intention to request the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to amend the regulations regarding control of the export of fresh vegetables. Comment is due by 31 July 2014. Yemen a WTO member On 26 June 2014, Yemen became the 160th World Trade Organisation (WTO) member, closing a 13-year long chapter of negotiating its accession terms with WTO member countries. Duty Calls’ Watch List Comment on the continuation of the anti-dumping duties on (i) garlic imported from China; (ii) float and flat glass imported from China; (iii) polyester staple fibre imported from China; and (iv) float and flat glass from India is due by 28 July 2014. Comment on the proposed increase in the “General” rate of customs duty on helical springs is due by 18 July 2014.
