Base metals tariff increase
On 12 July the South African Revenue Service (Sars) announced the substitution and insertion of various items of base metals and articles of base metal under Chapter 73 (Articles of Iron or Steel) of Part 1 of Schedule No 1 (ordinary customs duty) to the Customs and Excise Act No 91 of 1964, to increase the ‘general’ rate of customs duty on certain tubes, pipes and hollow profiles, seamless, of iron (excluding cast iron) or steel. The substitution of tariff subheadings 7304.19, 7304.23, and 7304.29, and the insertion of tariff subheadings 7304.19.10, 7304.19.90, 7304.23.10, 7304.23.90, 7304.29.10, and 7304.29.90. The reasoning is contained in International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) Report No 601.
Distributors and ignition coils tariff reduction
Sars on 12 July announced the substitution, through the reduction in the ‘general’ rate of customs duty, on distributors and ignition coils identifiable for use solely or principally with motor vehicles and engines, classifiable in tariff subheading 8511.30.30, in Part 1 of Schedule No 1 to the Act, 1964 (ordinary customs duty) to free of duty (0%). The reasoning is contained in Itac’s Report No 568.
Garden implements Sunset Review dumping
On 12 July Sars announced an amendment to Part 1 of Schedule No 2 to the Act, 1964 (Anti-Dumping Duties on Imported Goods), by the substitution of anti-dumping items 215.11/8201.10.10/01.08 (4,796c/kg);
215.11/8201.30.03/01.08 (3,295c/kg); 215.11/8201.30.90/01.08 (3,466c/kg) and 215.11/8201.90.20/01.08 (4,668c/kg) to review the rate of anti-dumping duties on garden spades and shovels, rakes and picks originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China or the PRC, following Itac’s final determination. The reasoning is contained in Itac’s Report No 602.
Trade Agreements Rules – Comment due
Sars on 08 July called for comment on its draft Rule 49 (trade agreements) of the Act, 1964, on which comment is due by 22 July. The draft rules are proposed to improve the administration of trade agreements.
SACU UCR Botswana Rules – Comment due
Sars on 08 July called for comment on its draft Rule 38 (Southern African
Customs Union (Sacu) Unique Consignment Reference (UCR) Botswana) on which comment is due by 22 July. The UCR is a unique reference number assigned to a consignment of goods for the purpose of tracking the goods throughout the supply chain from origin to destination. The current UCR is being amended to a Sacu UCR, which will create a platform for exchange of Customs information between Sars Customs and the customs administration of Botswana.
Duty Calls Watchlist
Comment is due on the Rules and Forms to the Act, 1964 for registration and licensing by 19 July.
