Frozen chicken meat tariff increaseOn 13 March, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) announced an increase in the rate of customs duty in Schedule No 1 Part 1 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 ‘Ordinary Duty’ on frozen meat and edible offal of fowls of the species Gallus Domesticus, classifiable in tariff subheadings 0207.14.11 (Breasts), 0207.14.13 (Thighs), and 0207.14.15 (Other) from 12% ad valorem to 42% ad valorem; and tariff subheadings 0207.14.91 (Whole bird cut in half ), 0207.14.93 (Leg quarters), 0207.14.95 (Wings), 0207.14.96 (Breasts), 0207.14.97 (Thighs), 0207.14.98 (Drumsticks), and 0207.14.99 (Other) from 37% ad valorem to 62% ad valorem.The reasoning is contained in the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) Report No.608.Electronic Cigarettes Taxation WorkshopFollowing the announcement in the 2020 Budget of the taxation of electronic cigarettes with effect from 2021, the Finance Minister on 11 March announced that National Treasury, in conjunction with the Department of Health, was hosting an initial stakeholder consultation workshop on 25 March.The reason for the consideration of taxation is that in recent years new-generation products such as electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS) have been introduced in the market causing an external cost,which is not internalised. Scrap Metal Export Taxes – Comment dueOn 10 March, following the announcement made by the Finance Minister in the 2020 Budget Review regarding the introduction of export taxes on scrap metal, the National Treasury published for consultation the basic approach for such tax. This proposal is related to the phasing out of the current price preference system for scrap steel and follows the recommendations from a feasibility study conducted by Itac.To facilitate the first phase of consultation, National Treasury, including the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, will hold an initial briefing on 25 March with all interested stakeholders on the proposal to introduce export taxes on scrap metal.Written comments on the proposal are due by 9 April.RLA System, Registration and Licensing RulesThe Acting Executive: Customs & Excise Centre of Excellence of Sars on 12 March told external stakeholders the implementation date for amended rules for Registration and Licensing and the New Registration, Licensing and Accreditation (RLA) System.According to the letter the amended rules of registration and licensing under Sections 8, 59A and 60 of the Act, 1964, as well as the electronic system providing for such changes, will be implemented from 20 April.Duty Calls’ WatchlistComment on:The application for Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union (EU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) quota import and export permits is due from 01 April.The insertion of a Value-added Tax (VAT) Rebate Item for international institution imports is due by 30 March.The proposed reduction in the ‘ordinary’ rate of customs duty on air-conditioning machines; and the increase in the ’ordinary’ rate of customs duty on high chrome grinding media balls is due by 27 March.