‘Have-nots’ hope for an end to degroupage frustrations

THE OFF-airport degroupage issue started when SA Revenue Services (SARS) customs were finding themselves under excessive pressure trying to keep the on-airport degroupage facility flowing. Because of this, SARS - under the rules and regulations of that time - gave a number of outside clearing agents approval to conduct off-airport degroupage.
The promise of the time was that this would become the norm - with a licensing system for those who wanted to operate such a facility.
But the following period was one of complete frustration for the aspirant degroupers who found every approach to customs thwarted.
Pam Cornish, vice-chairman (Gauteng) of the SA Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF) and MD of Eagle Global Logistics (EGL) - one of the many in the clearing industry who are desperately waiting for an off-airport degroupage licence - commented: “In the free-market economy we are supposed to have, reputable companies obtaining such licences should be a mere formality. After that, it should be normal competitive conditions ruling the roost.
“But, for the last five years customs has sat on this and done absolutely nothing.”
Frustrating also has been customs utter silence on how the issue was progressing, according to Alan Owen, national customs manager of Expeditors, and another member of the SAAFF team tasked with negotiating the licensing system through SARS.
This year started with no definite word on the finalisation of the issue, and the frustrating to-and-fro e-mail correspondence campaign starting again, he said.
But recent legislation has rekindled some hope amongst parties who have been pushing for a resolution.