You need a watertight case
NEW LAWS will allow importers a chance to get some cash back from customs - if they can present a watertight case to the authorities, according to Edward Little, executive director of the SA Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF).
Publication of the Taxation Laws Amendment Bill in June 2000, he told FTW, saw a number of significant proposed changes to the Customs & Excise Act.
One of these, Little added, is to the advantage of the SA importer.
The new Schedule 1 came into operation on 1 January 2000 - showing European Union (EU) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) 'preferential' rates alongside the 'general' rate of duty.
But a lot of importers couldn't take advantage of this preferential rate situation because of a bureaucratic snarl-up, according to Little.
The reason for most importers being unsuccessful in paying the lower rate is the failure of the Certificate of Origin system during the year to date, he said.
But importers who were entitled to claim the preferential (lower) rate of duty in terms of Schedule 1, can claim a refund of the difference if they paid the (higher) general rate.
At this stage, however, to qualify for the refund, origin will still have to be proved.
Copyright Now Media (Pty) Ltd
No article may be reproduced without the written permission of the editor
To respond to this article send your email to joyo@nowmedia.co.za
