Wheat and wheaten flour tariff
On 24 August the South African Revenue Service (Sars) announced an increase in the rates of customs duty on wheat and wheaten flour, classifiable in tariff subheadings 1001.91 and 1001.99, from 28,17c/kg to 64,06c/kg and tariff subheadings 1101.00.10 and 1101.00.90 from 42,26c/kg to 96,09c/kg. The increase in duties, with the exception of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), is through the variable formula tariff in Part 1 of Schedule No 1 of the Customs and Excise Act, 91 of 1964 ‘Ordinary Customs Duties’. The reasoning for the increase is contained in the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) Minute 08/2018.
Shocktubes trade remedies
Itac on 24 August announced the termination of the investigation into alleged dumping of detonating fuses and delay detonators commonly known as shocktubes originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China. Since no progress has been made with regard to the anti-dumping investigation, and in view of the long period since the initiation of this investigation, Itac decided to terminate the investigation. The applicant has been advised and did not object.
Completion Manual Declarations
Sars has released its “External Completion Manual Declarations” dated 17 August, which describes the completion and presentation of the Customs Clearance Declarations (CCD) when: (i) Goods are imported; (ii) Removed in transit/bond; (iii) Exported from the local market or ex warehouse; and (iv) When goods are moved between South Africa and Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland (BLNS). The purpose of this manual is to ensure uniform implementation of Customs procedures in the CCD process. The manual also combines the attributes of previously separate manuals accommodating import, export and cross-border requirements.
AEO Programmes and MRAs
On 24 August the World Customs Organisation (WCO) published two guidance documents, namely ‘The Customs Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Validator Guide’ and the ‘Mutual Recognition Arrangements/Agreements Strategy Guide’, in support of the implementation of the AEO programmes and their complementary MRAs. The Customs AEO Validator Guide is primarily intended to build capacities in Customs administrations with regard to the AEO validation process, in particular the validation of security-related provisions and management policies. The MRA Strategy Guide is aimed at assisting Customs administrations with the development of MRAs, including the negotiation and implementation thereof. The guide takes a comprehensive strategic approach to MRAs, laying down a clear vision and roadmap with a set of activities to be undertaken to reach the pre-defined goals in terms of planning, negotiating and implementing MRAs with partner Customs administrations.
Duty Calls Watchlist
Comment on the alleged dumping of clear float glass with a thickness of 3mm to 6mm, originating in or imported from Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE), is due by 17 September.
