New import regulations allow greater flexibility

Effective since August 11, the business community will have been glad to learn that imported goods which do not fully meet all national regulatory requirements can be entered into bond on a warehouse for export (WE) basis. “While this may not sound like anything new,” said Mike Poverello’s blog, “the provisions which come into effect will accord the identical treatment of such goods as if they were being entered for warehousing. “In short, the new provisions will allow more flexibility with the ability to re-warehouse WE goods; the ability to change ownership on WE goods; and the ability to declare WE goods for another customs procedure. These provisions can be considered a relaxing of the original approach which mandated compulsory exportation.” He did, however, note that all government regulatory requirements (ie, permits, certificates, etc) will be strictly enforced upon clearance of WE goods for home use or another customs procedure. The apparent relaxation forms part of ongoing alignment of customs procedures with the Customs Control Bills, which are in the process of finalisation. FTW was unable to get any industry reaction to this relaxation before our print deadline, but we would welcome communication on what this will mean from a reader’s point of view. INSERT ‘The apparent relaxation forms part of ongoing alignment of customs procedures with the Customs Control Bills.’