Biggest beef is special attendance costs
Denver Wright . . . hitting forwarders and their clients in the smaller ports.
LEONARD NEILL
INCREASED CHARGES for Customs supervision have provoked an outcry from the East London branch of the SA Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF).
“We feel down here that these increases are not only exorbitant but also unjustified,” says former branch chairman Denver Wright. “In many instances examinations are conducted to comply with existing legislation. An example is the export of automotive components which must be done under customs supervision in order to comply with MIDP rules.”
General feeling in the region is that while the raised costs might be overlooked in the larger harbours and passed on to clients in the package of charges, they are hitting forwarders and their clients in the smaller ports.
The major change under consideration is the fee of R50 per hour which has previously been levied by Customs as a set figure for special and extra attendance. In the new regulations special attendance (during prescribed hours of work) is raised to R100 per hour. Extra attendance outside prescribed hours except Sundays or public holidays now goes up to R150 per hour. Extra attendance on Sundays or public holidays is charged at R200 per hour.
Certification of documents, like bills of entry has been increased from R5 to R10 plus R1 per page of paper supplied. This is charged at 50cents per page if supplied by the forwarders. This, says Wright, is reasonable.
SAAFF’s Ed Little said he was unaware of the discontent which had been expressed by the East London members, but would investigate the matter and discuss it with Customs headquarters.
A spokesman for the Department of Customs and Excise says that the proposed draft rules and form DA 73 covering Special Extra Attendance had been put on the SARS website. Comments had been invited before January 12, but his department would consider any further comments it received on the matter after that date.
