Accredited Client Status On 27 February the South African Revenue Service (SARS) published the proposed amendments to the Rules to Section 64E to the Customs and Excise Act, 1964, relating to Accredited Client Status, on which comment is due by 13 March. The Rules to Section 64E to the Act allow the Sars Commissioner to confer Accredited Client Status, which confers benefits to reward the traders that meet the application criteria. In 2011, the Rules to Section 64E of the Act were amended to provide for a Level 2 Accreditation status. The proposed amendments insert two additional benefits to Level 2 Accreditation, and include amendments to the proforma agreement. In addition, draft amended DA forms are proposed, relating to the reporting of conveyances and goods RCG. [As a matter of interest, the acronym DA stands for ‘Doeane en Aksyns’.] Form DA 8 – “Sea cargo Application for Registration to Submit Reports, Section 8 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No. 91 of 1964) and its rules – Sea Cargo.” Form DA 8A – “Air cargo Application for Registration to Submit Reports, Section 8 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No. 91 of 1964) and its rules – Air Cargo.” Form DA 8B – “Rail cargo Application for Registration to Submit Reports, Section 8 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No. 91 of 1964) and its rules – Rail Cargo.” Form DA 8C – “Road cargo Application for Registration to Submit Reports, Section 8 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act No. 91 of 1964) and its rules – Road Cargo.” National Transport Policy White Paper Comments invited The National Department of Transport on 28 February invited comment from the public and vested stakeholders, by 30 March, on the Revised White Paper on National Transport Policy (RWPNTP) which has been approved by cabinet for public comment. The Department will also be conducting public consultations on the RWPNTP. Sacu HS Tariff Database Tender The Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) has published a tender for the “Development of an Online Harmonised Customs and Excise Tariff Database and Reference Tool”. The objective is to develop an online harmonised customs and excise tariff database and reference tool on importation and exportation requirements in a central location that is accessible for internal and external use. This will include: (a) ordinary customs duties; (b) specific excise duties and specific customs duties; (c) ad valorem excise duties and ad valorem customs duties; (d) anti-dumping, safeguard and countervailing (anti-subsidy) duties; and rebate and duty drawback provisions; and (e) preferential rates of duties, and any other relevant duties applicable and functioning as part of the common Sacu tariff regime. 2018 Edition of the SAFE Framework of Standards The 19th meeting of the SAFE Working Group (SWG), held from 21-23 February, finalised the 2018 edition of the SAFE Framework of Standards. Duty Calls’ Watchlist Comment on the proposed increase in the ‘ordinary’ customs duty on phosphoric and polyphosphoric acids is due by 16 March.
