Shippers to EU warned to take note ALAN PEAT WATCH OUT for the new DA 66 form from the SA Revenue Service (Sars). That’s the word from Riaan de Lange of South African Tariff & Trade Solutions, as everyone waits for the 10 additional members to be added to the Sars list of those European Union (EU) countries to which duty refunds will be applicable as soon as the legislation is effected. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the publication of the customs and excise rules did not take place in December as planned, he added. Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia are therefore still waiting to be added to the list of EU countries eligible under the duty-free conditions of the free trade agreement (FTA) – with restrospective effect from May 1, 2004 (when the 10 states actually became part of the EU). But, said De Lange, published in government gazette 2836 on December 30, were a new form DA66 (the duty refund application form) and amendments to rule 64F.07 with retrospective effect from April 2003. It’s a small change, but it raises a possibility that you could have troubles if you continue using the old-style format. “The effective change is in respect of the time expiry of applications,” added De Lange. “Yet, if you apply for a refund using the old form, it is quite possible that the application could be returned with the request that the correct form be used.” Given this, he told FTW, all those looking for these vital duty refunds would be well advised to make sure they use the new-style document.
