Scrap Metal Directive Extension – Comment due
In the Government Gazette of 02 May the Economic Development Department (EDD) announced the “ Extension of the Policy Directive on the Exportation of Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Waste and Scrap Metal ” on which comment is due by 16 May. By way of a reminder, in the Budget Speech of 20 February, the Minister of Finance stated that the National Treasury would work with the Department of Trade and Industry and EDD to explore the introduction of an export tax on scrap metal.
Carbon Tax Levy – Comment due
On 30 April the South African Revenue Service (Sars) published draft amendments to the Rules to the Customs and Excise Act, 1964, in respect of the Environmental Levy for carbon tax imposed in terms of the Carbon Tax Act, 2019, on which comment is due by 20 May. The draft amendments relate to: (i) Part 1 of Schedule No 1 to the Act, 1964 ‘ Ordinary Customs Duty ’, in order to insert the provision of carbon emissions tax; (ii) Part 3F of Schedule No 1 to the Act, 1964’ Environmental Levy ’, to provide for the environmental levy on carbon emissions; and Part 6 of Schedule No 6 to the Act, 1964, ‘ Refunds and Rebates of Excise Duties, Fuel Levy and Environmental Levy – to provide for rebates and refunds on carbon tax. ’
Carbon Tax Levy Forms – Comment due
Sars on 30 April announced the introduction of environmental levy forms in respect of carbon tax imposed in terms of the Carbon Tax Act, 2019: (i) DA185 – ‘Application form – Registration/licensing of customs and excise clients’; (ii) DA185.4A17 – ‘Client Type 4A17 – Operator of an emissions generation facility below the carbon tax threshold’; and (iii) DA185.4B2 – ‘Licensing Client Type 4B2 – Manufacturing Warehouse’ on which comment is due by 20 May. The draft rules have been inserted for the implementation of the carbon tax to provide details on the envisaged carbon tax administration, including the registration of clients, licensing of emissions facilities, carbon tax environmental levy accounting and application of allowances as rebates, all of which need to be synchronised with the essential systems development. According to Sars, Form DA180 – ‘ Environmental Levy Return for Carbon Tax’ – will be added at a later stage, and this account only needs to be submitted in July 2020.
Duty Calls’ Watchlist
The Customs and Excise Bill, 2019 is due to come into operation on 01 June. Comment on Sars’ “ Discussion Document on the Rewrite of the Excise Legislation ” is due by 31 May. Comment on the antidumping investigation of disodium carbonate (soda ash) from the United States of America is due by 27 May. Comment on the proposed increase in the rate of duty on polyethylene terephthalate is due by 24 May. Comment on a note to the “ Specific Drawbacks and Refunds of Customs Duties, Fuel Levy and Environmental Levy ” is due by 10 May.
