On 07 March 2025, the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) announced the withdrawal of the application for a proposed increase in the ‘General’ rate of customs duty on roasted groundnuts classifiable under tariff subheadings 2008.11.20 and 2008.11.90 from 0.99c/kg (0.033% ad valorem equivalent) to 20% ad valorem.
The South African Groundnuts Forum, on behalf of the application C. Steinweg Bridge (Pty) Ltd, submitted the following reason for the withdrawal of the application: The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) industry, in applying for an amendment to the customs duty on roasted ground nuts as indicated above, on the Roasted Groundnut, has since ceased its roasting groundnut operations. Steinweg has subsequently requested ITAC to withdraw its Application. This decision, according to the representatives of C. Steinweg Bridge (Pty) Ltd, was influenced ostensibly by a range of operational and other factors, including but not limited to the prolonged uncertainty surrounding the decision on the amendment of the customs duty. C. Steinweg Bridge (Pty) Ltd alleges that such uncertainty has affected the viability of its business model.
