On 03 March the South African Revenue Service (Sars) announced an increase in the ‘general’ rate of customs duty on flat rolled products of stainless steel from free of duty to 5% ad valorem, through the substitution and insertion of various tariff subheadings.
The increase in the rates of customs duty only applies to the tariff subheadings relating to ‘other’ - the last two digits denoted as ‘90’ - where the rate of duty increased to 5% ad valorem: 7219.11.10; 7219.11.90; 7219.12.10; 7219.12.90; 7219.13.10; 7219.13.90; 7219.14.10; 7219.14.90; 7219.21.10; 7219.21.90; 7219.22.10; 7219.22.90; 7219.23.10; 7219.23.90; 7219.24.10; 7219.24.90; 7219.31.10; 7219.31.90; 7219.32.10; 7219.32.90; 7219.33.10; 7219.33.90; 7219.34.10; 7219.34.90; 7219.35.10; 7219.35.90; 7219.90.10; 7219.90.90; 7220.12.10; 7220.12.90; 7220.20.10; 7220.20.90; 7220.90.10; and 7220.90.90.
Then there were tariff subheadings substituted - 7219.33; 7219.34; 7219.35; 7219.90; 7220.12; 7220.20; and 7220.90.
The reason for the increase in certain tariff subheadings is contained in the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) Report No 535.
Whether the 5% ad valorem will suffice for its intended purpose is to be seen.