Sugar Reference Price Increase On 20 September 2013 the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) published a proposed increase in the domestic Dollar-based reference price (DBRP) for sugar, classifiable in tariff heading 17.01 of Schedule No.1 Part 1 to the Customs and Excise Act (Act), from U$358/ton to US$764/ton through an adjustment of the calculation of the DBRP for sugar by basing it on the domestic cost of production. Using the requested reference price of US$764/ ton, the variable formula for sugar will trigger an increase in the customs duty if the London No.5 sugar settlement price falls by US$20/ton below the base price, which is the 3-week moving average price for the London No.5 sugar settlement price. Conversely, a reduction in the customs duty will be triggered if the London No.5 sugar settlement price increases by US$20/ton above the base price. Quota Allocation for Used Overcoats ITAC extended a request for comments on 20 September 2013 for the proposed increase in the allocation of quota for the importation of used overcoats under Rebate Item 460.11/00.00/01.00 for 2014. The invitation is to comment on the request by the Association of Importers of Worn Overcoats (AIWO) for a 30% increase in the level of quota for 2014 regarding applications in terms of the provision sunder Rebate Item 460.11/00.00/01.00 of Schedule No.4 to the Act for permits for partial rebate of the full rate of customs duty less 30% ad valorem on used overcoats. Interested parties also need to comment on the following conditions being added to the guidelines’ rules and conditions pertaining to permits issued under Rebate Item 460.11/00.00/01.00 for goods (but no clothing articles), classifiable in tariff headings 61.01, 61.02, 62.01, 62.02 and tariff subheading 6309.00.13 in such quantities, at such times and subject to such conditions as ITAC may allow by specific permit: (1) Containers must arrive for inspection only during Monday to Friday. No arrivals may occur during Saturday, Sunday or public holidays. (2) Importers need to provide ITAC with proof of salaries being paid to temporary workers. (3) The date for issuing permits be changed from February to an earlier period. Comment is due by 18 October 2013. Footwear Rebate Item On 20 September 2013 ITAC informed of the proposed rebate of the full customs duty on other pile fabrics, knitted or crocheted, of manmade fibres, classifiable in tariff subheading 6001.92 of Schedule No.1 Part 1 to the Act, for the manufacture of footwear with uppers of textile materials, classifiable in Chapter 64 of Schedule No.1 Part 1 to the Act. Comment is due by 18 October 2013. Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene Withdrawn ITAC informed on 20 September 2013 of the proposed withdrawal of the application for an increase in the rate of customs duty on biaxially oriented polypropylene, classifiable in tariff subheading 3920.20.25 and 3920.20.30 of Schedule No.1 Part 1 to the Act, from a rate of customs duty of 10% ad valorem to 20% ad valorem. Comment is due by 18 October 2013.
