WCO launches e-learning Academy
The World Customs Organisation (WCO) on 4 May launched its e-learning portal aimed at building the Customs skills of trade professionals. Three courses were launched, (i) Harmonised System (HS), with five sectorspecific courses – Agriculture and Agri-food, Chemicals, Industry & Construction, Textiles, and Art and Jewellery; (ii) WCO Data Model, with two courses – Managers and Practitioners; and (iii) Customs Valuation, with two courses – Valuation concepts and transaction value, and Advanced valuation methods. More courses are due to follow.
Hexagon screws dumping duty deleted
On 04 May Sars announced the retrospective deletion, from 15 November 2017, of dumping items 215.02/7318.15.39/01.08; 215.02/7318.15.39/02.08 and 215.02/7318.15.39/03.08 in Part 1 of Schedule No 2 to the Customs and Excise Act, 1964. The anti-dumping duties were in respect of fully threaded screws with hexagon heads, classifiable under tariff subheading 7318.15.39, originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China. The anti-dumping duties, depending on the exporter, were either 11.09%, 19.3%, or 73.93%. If you were importing hexagon screws, which were subject to an anti-dumping duty, you are now able to reclaim the anti-dumping duty that you paid. The reasoning for the termination of the duties can be found in the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) Report No 573. Interestingly, as Duty Calls’ Watchlist points out, a safeguard duty is now being pursued by the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) manufacturers. Wonder why?
Trade Surplus
South African merchandise trade moved into positive territory for the first time in March this year, according to the latest figures released by the South African Revenue Service (Sars). This follows a revision of the February statistics, with exports being reduced by R1.03 billion and the negative balance to R-603 279 246. Total preliminary merchandise exports for March were R98 287 063 534, and imports R90 616 628 143 – bringing the surplus to R9 474 444 693. Preliminary figures for January to March show a nett merchandise trade imbalance of R-18 632 495 941, compared to a surplus of R4 217 094 643 for the first quarter of 2017. Analysis of South Africa’s trade with Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) member countries shows that South Africa is reliant on exports to Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland (BLNS countries) to generate a surplus or at least to reduce the negative balance.
Iron and steel products safeguard
Turkey on 2 May notified the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Committee on Safeguards that on 27 April it had initiated a safeguard investigation on iron and steel products. If you are exporting iron and steel products you need to take note. Comment is due by 27 May.
Duty Calls’ Watchlist
Comment on the safeguard investigation of other screws fully threaded with hexagon heads made of steel is due by 20 June. Comment on the sunset review of the anti-dumping duties on polymers of PVC originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan is due by 30 May.
