The South African Revenue Service, in partnership with other government agencies, is engaged in ongoing efforts to combat the illicit trading in clothing, textiles, footwear and leather goods and, as a direct consequence of legislation requirements, detains and refers goods within the specified classification to the National Consumer Commission (NCC).
It is within these circumstances that serious service delivery issues have been encountered by importers, exporters and their appointed clearing agents.
While it is not in contention that consumers must be protected, this should not be achieved by the creation of a non-tariff trade barrier which hinders, rather than facilitates, trade.
It is therefore important to highlight the following from the NCC’s official website: Three of the NCC’s value statements include: “Promote efficient, effective and economic use of resources”; “Accept responsibility for its own actions”; and “Promote coherent and effective teams within the NCC”.
However, it has become increasingly apparent that the NCC is unable to fulfil either its own mission statement or any of its value statements, this at considerable additional cost to traders.
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