Frozen Chicken ‘General’ Duty Increase On 30 November the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) published a notice proposing an increase in the ‘general’ rate of customs duty, in Part 1 of Schedule No 1 to the Customs and Excise Act, 1964, on frozen meat and edible offal of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus (that is chicken to you and me), classifiable in tariff subheadings 0207.14.1 and 0207.14.9, from 12% ad valorem and 37% ad valorem, respectively to 82% ad valorem. Comment is due by 28 December. Primary Flat Rolled Steel Safeguard The South African Revenue Service (Sars) on 30 November published two substitutions of Safeguard Item 260.03/72.08/01.04, in Part 3 of Schedule No 2 to the Act, to exclude rebate items 460.15/7208.51/02.06 and 460.15/7208.51/03.06 from being subject to safeguard duty applicable to primary flat rolled steel, classifiable in tariff subheading 7208.51, up to and including 10 August 2019, and from 11 August 2019 up to and including 10 August 2020. The reasoning for the amendments can be found in Itac report no 586. Primary Flat Rolled Steel Rebate On 30 November Sars published the insertion of rebate items 460.15/7208.51/02.06 and 460.15/7208.51/03.06, in Part 2 of Schedule No 4 to the Act, to create a rebate facility on primary flat rolled steel, classifiable in tariff subheading 7208.51. The reasoning for the amendment can be found in Itac report no 586. Implementation of the RCG Second Phase In a letter, “Update on the Introduction of Automated Part-Shipment Management at Land Border Posts” dated 29 November, Sars announced that the second phase of the Reporting of Conveyances and Goods (RCG) project involving part-shipment movements of goods across land borders would be implemented on 07 December. Sars intends publishing an updated version of its Customs External Policy: Reporting of Conveyances and Goods (SCCC-38) “in due course”. Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Heritage On 30 November the World Customs Organisation (WCO) published its “Training Handbook on the Prevention of Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Heritage (PITCH)”, a unique specialised tool aimed at improving the knowledge and know-how of Customs officers. The WCO intends to deliver the handbook through the deployment of face-to-face training. First Cruise Ships Meeting held in Brussels The WCO’s Cruise Ships Working Group met on 27 November to discuss the current state of play of the cruise ships industry and how its rapid growth has led to increased pressure on resource management within Customs administrations. Duty Calls Watchlist Comment on the disposable diapers tariff description; on the increase in the rate of customs duty on tin plate; on the increase of customs duty on iron and steel tubes and pipes; and on the dumping of polyethylene terephthalate is due by 24 December. Comment on the quotalinked rebate of the full anti-dumping duty on frozen chicken is due by 21 December.
