Sugar duty reduction
On 28 July the South African Revenue Service (Sars) announced a reduction in all rates of customs duty on sugar, classifiable under tariff subheadings 1701.12 (Beet sugar), 1701.13 (Cane sugar specified in subheading note 2 to this chapter), 1701.14 (Other cane sugar), 1701.91 (Containing added flavouring or colouring matter), and 1701.99 (Other), from 63.63c/kg to free of duty. The tariff amendments were a result of the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) review of the dollar-based domestic reference price and variable tariff formula for sugar. The reasoning for Itac’s recommendation can be found in Itac report no 542.
Tunisia 112th RYC party
The World Customs Organisation (WCO) announced that on 24 July Tunisia became the 112th contracting party to the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonisation of Customs Procedures, simply known as the Revised Kyoto Convention or RYC. Having entered into force on 3 February 2006, the RKC, a WCO legal instrument which is regarded by the entire international customs community as the blueprint for modern customs in the 21st century, was widely used in the negotiations for adoption of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). Accession to the RKC and, above all, its implementation, complements countries’ efforts towards ratification and implementation of the WTO TFA. The RYC’s key elements include the application of simplified customs procedures in a predictable and transparent environment, the optimal use of information technology, the utilisation of risk management for efficient customs control, a strong partnership with the trade and other stakeholders, and a readily accessible system of appeals.
Burkina Faso 11th RYC party
On 25 July the WCO announced that Burkina Faso had become the 111th contracting party to the RYC.
500th WTO amendment
The WTO on 26 July announced that, on the day, the update of Argentina’s WTO goods schedule marked the 500th notification under special procedures to modify these important legal instruments that form an integral part of the WTO legal texts. According to the WTO, by ensuring security, transparency and predictability for trade in goods, the schedules of commitments constitute the backbone of the multilateral trading system. Although reference is normally made to the schedule of concessions of a WTO member, there are often different legal instruments that comprise it, as each amendment to the schedule must be officially recorded in order to take effect.
Duty Calls Watch List
Comment on the draft Special Economic Zones or SEZ Governance and Management Regulations, in terms of the SEZ Act, 2014 is due by 13 August.
