Unframed glass mirror dumping
On 18 May the International Trade Administration of South Africa (Itac) announced the initiation of an antidumping sunset review on unframed glass mirrors of thickness of between 2mm or more but not exceeding 6mm, classifiable under tariff subheading 7009.91, originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China, on which comment is due by 18 June. The application was lodged by PFG Building Glass, a division of PG Group (Pty) Ltd), the sole producer of unframed glass mirrors within the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) who alleged that the expiry of the anti-dumping duty would likely lead to the continuation or recurrence of dumping and the recurrence of material injury.
Hot-rolled steel plates rebate
Itac on 18 May announced the substitution of safeguard item 260.03/7225.99/01.06 to exclude rebate item 460.15/7225.99/01.06 in order to exclude certain hotrolled steel plates from being subject to safeguard duty, retrospectively from 18 May 2018 up to and including 10 August 2018. This is the first of three notices, the second with effect from 11 August 2018 up to and including 10 August 2019, and the third with effect from 11 August 2019 up to and including 10 August 2020. There was also a notice for the amendment of rebate item 460.15/7225.99/01.06 in order to create a rebate facility on 18 May on certain hotrolled steel plates. The reasoning is contained in Itac Report No 575.
Sacu Unique UCR Rules
On 11 May the South African Revenue Service (Sars) published draft rules under section 38, Sacu Unique Consignment Reference (UCR), of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964, on which comment is due by 25 May. The UCR is assigned to a consignment of goods for tracking purposes throughout the supply chain from origin to destination. The current UCR is being replaced with a Sacu UCR, which will initially create a platform for exchange of customs information between Sars Customs and the customs administration of Swaziland, followed later by the customs administrations of the other Sacu members. The purpose of the proposed Sacu UCR is to link export and import declarations using a common reference, enabling data exchange and facilitating trade within the Sacu region. The draft amendments provide for the generation, use and constitution of the UCR.
Nkomazi Special Economic Zone
The Trade and Industry Minister on 18 May designated the Nkomazi Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The SEZ, consisting of a total land area of 155 ha, is bordered by the N4 highway to the north, the Komatipoort-Swaziland railway line to the east, a predefined cadastral boundary to acquire a township to the south, and the D1837 road to the west.
Duty Calls Watchlist
Comment is due on the safeguard investigation of other screws fully threaded with hexagon heads by 20 June; on the increase in the dollar-based reference price for sugar by 01 June; and on the sunset review of the antidumping duties on polymers of PVC from China and Taiwan by 30 May
