SA and China join forces to combat smuggling

SOUTH AFRICA and China last Friday signed a Memorandum of Cooperation designed to help combat smuggling and the distribution of counterfeit goods in both countries. SA Revenue Service (Sars) Commissioner Pravin Gordhan and the Chinese Minister General for the Administration of Customs (GACC) Xinsheng Mu were the joint signatories. The countries have also agreed to a pilot project to manage the trade between the two countries. This will involve the advance electronic submission of Customs data and will allow for the joint detection of high risk, according to Sars. The Customs agreement will create a stronger legal basis for Customs cooperation in the administration of bilateral trade and will support the Memorandum of Understanding on the importation of textile and clothing that was signed recently between the two countries.