The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) has published an application for the exemption of safeguard duties applicable on hot-rolled steel products imported under rebate item 470.03 and drawback item 521.00, for use in the manufacture, processing, finishing, equipping, or packing of goods exclusively for export.
The application was lodged by Robor (Pty) Ltd and GasCon, a division of Southey Holdings (Pty) Ltd, who reasoned that the safeguard duty (i) was recently imposed on the products and is negatively affecting the competitiveness of the downstream steel industry manufacturing products for the export market; and (ii) renders business uneconomical for the export-oriented firms and may result in job losses.
Comment is due by 13 April.