Wheat and Wheaten Flour Tariff Increase On 25 October the South African Revenue Service (Sars) announced an increase in the rates of customs duty – variable tariff formula – for wheat and wheaten flour in Schedule No 1 Part 1 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 ‘Ordinary Customs Duty’ classifiable in tariff subheadings 1001.91 (Seed); and 1001.99 (Other) from 66.47/kg to 100.86c/kg, and tariff subheadings 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 99.71c/kg to 151.29c/kg. The reasoning is contained in the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) minute 09/2019. This is the fourth time this year that the tariff has been amended. It was previously amended on 24 May, 14 June and 20 September. Latest edition of WCO News The World Customs Organisation (WCO) on 24 October published the 90th edition of WCO News, its flagship magazine aimed at the global Customs community, which provides a selection of informative articles that touch the international Customs and trade landscape. This edition features a ‘Special Dossier’ on the 2019 WCO Council Sessions, with reflections on the areas of work identified by WCO members as a priority, as well as articles on the work accomplished by the Secretariat from July 2018 to June 2019. In the ‘Panorama’ section, Botswana explains its migration to a new IT system to manage foreign trade operations, Lithuania shares its experience in controlling dual-use goods, and Russia presents a new tool aimed at encouraging companies to participate in building a better business environment. In the ‘Point of View’ section, the WCO secretariat focuses on the security risks associated with e-commerce and the necessary measures that should be put in place to mitigate them, while Uganda Customs promotes the investment in leadership. Prohibition of removal of imported regulated agricultural products On 18 October the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, acting under the Agricultural Products Standards Act, published the “Prohibition Regarding the Removal of Imported Regulated Agricultural Products Intended for Sale in the Republic of South Africa from the Specified Ports of Entry or any other place as Determined by the Executive Officer.” According to the notice, the executive officer may in writing grant permission for the removal (release) of products from the specified port of entry or such other place when such products are: (a) imported in quantities that are less than 20kg in total mass; and (b) in transit to a neighbouring country, provided that the accompanying documentation shall clearly reflect the name of the destination country. Duty Calls’ Watchlist Comment is due on the review of rebate item on air conditioning machines, and on the replacement of the Price Preference System for the export of ferrous and nonferrous waste and scrap metal by 15 November.