Frozen Potato Chips Public Interest Hearing The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) has, through Government Gazette notice of 26 July 2013, extended an invitation to a public interest hearing in the investigation for remedial action in the form of safeguard against the increased imports of frozen potato chips. You will recall that frozen imported potato chips, classifiable under tariff subheading 2004.10.90, are presently subject to an anti-dumping investigation (unfair trade remedy) and a safeguard (fair trade remedy) investigation. The public hearing is scheduled for 10:00 on 04 September 2013. All interested parties should indicate their intention to attend on or before 21 August 2013 at 15:00. TDCA Safeguard Guidelines Re- Published Last week’s column announced the publication of Government Gazette notice of 19 July 2013 pertaining to Itac’s “Guidelines and conditions pertaining to an agricultural safeguard application in terms of Article 16 of the Agreement on Trade, Development and Co-operation between the European Community and its member states and the Republic of South Africa”. Since the notice only contained the first page of the application form, it was republished through the notice of 26 July 2013. Unframed Glass Mirrors Dumping Duty On 26 July 2013 the South African Revenue Service (Sars) announced the imposition of an antidumping duty (final duty) on unframed glass mirrors, of a thickness of 2mm or more but not exceeding 6mm, classifiable in tariff subheading 7009.91, originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China. (The imposition of the anti-dumping duty is indicative of the fact that the anti-dumping investigation was uncontested by Chinese exporters.) The provisional payment was imposed on 08 March 2013. The anti-dumping item is 213.03/7009.91/03.06 and the rate of anti-dumping duty is 40.22%. Customs Valuation Opinion On 25 July 2013 the World Customs Organisation (WCO) announced the publication of a new Advisory Opinion of the Technical Committee on Customs Valuation. Advisory Opinion 4.15 provides guidance on a case where royalties have been paid to a third party licensor (in other words, the licensor is not the seller of the goods) and determines whether or not it is appropriate to include the royalty fee in the Customs Value of the imported goods. WTO Statistics Database The World Trade Organisation (WTO) announced on July 25 that it had updated its Statistics Database, which now includes 2012 statistics on global exports and imports of merchandise trade and trade in commercial services. Duty Calls’ Watch List Comments on the Draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill and Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill are due by 05 August 2013. Comment is due by 05 August 2013 in respect of the proposed substitution of Additional Note 1(f) in Chapter 27 of Section V to Part 1 of Schedule No.1.
