Agents are missing sailings out of the Port of Durban thanks to the implementation by South African Revenue Service (Sars) of new export regulations requiring every exporter to lodge a Customs Clearance Declaration (CCD).
Director of Advanced Customs Solutions (ACS), Harem Padia, told FTW that Sars had been conducting physical examinations of export containers since the regulation came into effect on April 1 this year.
“Sometimes the relevant Sars official conducting the exam delivers a late response and agents have to make arrangements with shipping lines if shipment is still pending to book the next departure vessel. Different vessel departure plans mean the agent has to amend his documentation,” he explained.
ACS had embarked on an awareness campaign with its clients to ensure they complied with the new regulations and avoided extra charges and “unnecessary penalties”, he added. Padia said that agents also experienced challenges in interpreting the messages that they received from Sars on their system.
“Our experience has taught us to foresee potential challenges and we always make a point of warning our customers of these, educating our clients to properly understand Sars requirements and keeping them abreast of new trends and changes around customs clearing.”
According to Padia the increased trade volumes into and out of the ports of Durban and Richards Bay have created growth opportunities for ACS. “We have seen a number of new clients applying for clearing licences,” he said.
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ACS has embarked on an awareness campaign with its clients to ensure they comply with the new regulations. – Harem Padia
