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 Tariff Applications – Final Opportunity to Comment In line with South Africa’s National Industrial Policy Framework, the following investigations have been initiated: • The revision of the rate of customs duty (duty) on aluminium products; • The revision of the rate of duty on upstream chemicals; and • Revisions of the duty on textiles and clothing. All interested parties have until 2 5 January 2 008 to submit their comments. Tariff Applications – Response Due • Reduction in the rate of duty on sheets consisting predominantly of polyethylene; • Rebate of the duty on plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of polymers of vinyl chloride for the manufacture of moulded trays for the packing and conveyance of goods; • Review of the customs tariff dispensation for wheat and wheat flour; and • Reduction in the rate of customs duty on bag closures of non-cellular polystyrene in the form of flat shapes. All interested parties have until 22 February 2 008 to submit their comments. Preliminary Determination – Final Opportunity to Comment Notice of a preliminary determination to terminate investigations into the alleged dumping of aluminium extrusions originating in or imported from China. All interested parties have until 25 January 2 008 to submit their comments. Termination of Trade Remedy Duties – Response Due Notification of a consideration for the recommendation of certain trade remedy duties to be terminated with effect from 2 6 September 2 007. The trade remedy duties relate to chicken meat portions; garlic – fresh, chilled or dried; carbon black; acetaminophenol; suspension polyvinyl chloride; uncoated woodfree paper; blankets; flat glass (drawn glass); float glass; welded stainless steel tubes and pipes; bolts and nuts of iron or steel; aluminium hollowware; garden picks; automatic circuit breakers; paper insulated lead covered electrical cable. All interested parties have until 31 January 2 008 to submit their comments. Sunset Reviews – Response Due SACU manufacturers of flatrolled products of iron or steel (Australia); Acrylic fabrics (China); gypsum plasterboard (Indonesia and Thailand); and acrylic fabrics (Turkey) have been invited to comment on the proposed review of the trade remedy duties prior to their expiry. All interested parties have until 29 February 2 008 to submit their comments. Draft Rule Amendments – Response Due An invitation to all interested parties to provide comment on proposed amendments to the: • Rules to Section 15 i.e. “Person Entering or Leaving the Republic and their Baggage” of the Act; and • Form DA331 i.e. “Customs Declaration”, to be known as “Traveller Declaration”. All interested parties have until 31 January 2 008 to submit their comments. This is the second time in as many years that an invitation has been extended for comment on the proposed amendment of Form DA331 i.e. “Customs Declaration”. The last time was on 06 December 2 006. Note: This is a non comprehensive statement of the law. No liability can be accepted for errors and omissions.
