WCO tariff classifications released The World Customs Organisation (WCO) on 1 February released their classification rulings; amendments to the explanatory notes; and amendments to the compendium of classification opinions (decisions) which were taken at the 60th session of the Harmonised System (HS) committee held from 27 September to 6 October 2017 in Brussels, Belgium. The decisions include 21 new classification opinions and 18 sets of amendments to the HS explanatory notes, as well as 45 classification rulings. These decisions deal with, among others, blanched green shell mussels; quinoa, normally used for human consumption, which has undergone the removal of the saponin layer after harvest; silica fume; a cover made of plastics and specifically designed for smartphones; footwear made of plastics known as “sandals for adults made of plastics” and “sandals for children made of plastics”; a laminar air flow clean bench; an electronic interactive whiteboard, size 78 inches, consisting of a touch-sensitive, dry-erase surface with multi-touch functionality, which accepts touch input from a pen or a finger; an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) module; books and sound reproducing apparatus, also called “Future Book Set”; a thin-film solar module; an integrated circuit (IC) checking instrument; and a stand up paddle (SUP) board. If you are interested in obtaining copies of the WCO decisions, simply send us an email with the article’s title in the subject line. Clear float glass Sunset Review On 2 February the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) published its final determination in respect of the sunset review of the anti-dumping duties on clear float glass originating in or imported from Indonesia. The sunset review investigation was initiated on 21 July 2017, with initiation letters sent to interested parties on 24 July 2017, on which response was due by 30 August 2017. On 28 July 2017 a letter was received from the directorate general of foreign trade in Indonesia requesting an extension of the period to submit a response to the initiation. The extension was granted until 14 September 2017. Letters were received from two exporters, namely PT Asahimas Flat Glass Tbk (AFG) and PT Matahari Silverindo Jaya (PT Matahari), stating that they would not be participating in the sunset review. A letter was received from the ministry of investment, trade and industry, Republic of Botswana, on 24 August 2017, stating that it would not be affected by the expiry or continuation of the anti-dumping duties. Itac received no properly documented responses from any interested party. As a consequence, Itac recommended to the trade and industry minister that the anti-dumping duties on clear float glass, originating in or imported from Indonesia, be maintained. The trade and industry minister subsequently approved the recommendation by Itac, the reasoning for which is detailed in its report no 572.
