On 23 November Itac published an application for the proposed increase in the ‘general’ rate of customs duty on flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, plated or coated with tin (tinplate), classifiable in tariff subheadings 7210.11, 7210.12.10, 7210.12.90, and 7212.10, from free of duty to 10% ad valorem, on which comment is due by 24 December.
The application was lodged by ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited (Amsa) who reasoned that:
(a) The current tariff structure in relation to the subject products is untenable given the recent developments of volumes and value of imports into the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) market;
(b) Imports have substantially increased over the last five years from Asian countries, making domestic production static;
(c) The domestic industry of the subject product is experiencing intense price competition on the price of the subject products vis-à-vis imported products; and
(d) The tariff increase requested will prevent imports from entering the country at impermissible low prices.