Compulsory tariff determinations for wine
On 14 June the South African Revenue Service (Sars) announced, with retrospective effect from 01 April, the amendment of Rule 47.03 to the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 relating to compulsory tariff determinations for wine. Rule 47.03(a)(v) was amended to replace 36 months for 48 months, and 48 months for 60 months to read, “All other classes or kinds of alcoholic beverages not mentioned above, after a period of 48 months, but within a period of 60 months.”
Wheat and wheaten flour tariff formula
Sars on 14 June announced an increase in the variable tariff formula for wheat and wheaten flour, classifiable in tariff subheadings 1001.91 (Seed) and 1001.99 (Other) as well as 1101.00.10 (Brown wheaten meal produced by the milling of whole grains (the bran, germ and endosperm) (excluding separated wheat bran, separated wheat germ or separated wheat semolina or endosperm); 1101.00.20 (Cake wheat flour as defined in Additional Note 1(a) to Chapter 11); 1101.00.30 (White bread wheat flour as defined in Additional Note 1(a) to Chapter 11); and 1101.00.90 (Other), from 67.51c/kg and 101.26c/kg to 95.80c/kg and 143.69c/ kg respectively. The rate of customs duty for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is free of duty (0%). The reasoning for the customs duty is contained in the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) Minute 03/2019.
Prohibition on the use of Parma Ham
In the Government Gazette of 14 June, the Minister of Trade and Industry prohibited the use of Parma Ham in South Africa, other than by the consortium, Consorzio Del Prosciutto Di Parma, or its members.
WCO News’ Latest Edition
On 07 June the WCO published the 89th edition of WCO News, its flagship magazine aimed at the Customs community, which provides a selection of informative articles that touch the international Customs and trade landscape. The publication is available in hardcopy or can be downloaded in a digital version. This edition’s dossier, “Towards technology-driven organisations,” contains a selection of articles on how Customs is using ICT, biometrics, e-seals and container scanning as tools to enhance their performance and services. Also introduced in the dossier is the rationale favouring the use of geodata and the benefits that could accrue, as well as the upcoming release of the WCO’s unified file format for non-intrusive inspection devices.
The Panorama section goes on to provide insight on Finland’s user-friendly duty calculator, the European Union Profile project, Brazil’s approach to fighting illicit financial flows, and Georgia’s experience with free zones. In the Point of View section, a senior Customs officer in the Philippines shares his experience about the illicit trade in waste and calls for more action to combat this scourge.
Comprehensive Review of the RKC
The WCO’s Working Group on the Comprehensive Review of the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) met in Brussels from 03 to 06 June
