SAD implementation delayed till October

Layout different, data unchanged ALAN PEAT IMPLEMENTATION OF the new Single Administrative Document (SAD) – applicable to all Southern African Customs Union cross-border traffic - has been deferred to October 1, according to a recent notification from Sars. It was to have been phased in over the next three months. It will standardise the SAD 500 in the region – having been piloted on traffic on the trans-Kalahari route between Gauteng and Namibia. It also means the final phase-out of the SA Revenue Service (Sars) familiar import and export bills of entry DA 500 and DA550 as well as the CCA1 form. The new form follows the international standard for customs declarations and is thus very similar to the BW500 utilised by Botswana customs, Safcor Panalpina’s internal auditor, Jeff Epstein told FTW. “Although the layout of the form is radically different from what SA traders are accustomed to,” he added, “the type and quantity of data required is unchanged, as are the legal and procedural requirements for completing the new-style bills of entry.” Riaan de Lange, who runs the customs and trade consultancy, SA Tariff & Trade Solutions, said that the SAD 500 was basically intended to replace the CCA1 form, which was there because – with movement of goods within the union – there was no customs duty implication. But the CCA1 and its replacement SAD 500 are designed to show what’s moving where in Sacu. “The new SAD 500 is based on the same-named European version,” said De Lange, “and it basically supplies customs (and its tax-gathering parent Sars) with statistical information and record of goods moved.” The changeover to the new format should not engender any major difficulties, added Epstein. “Minor delays may arise until all players become familiar with its radically different layout and the revised terminology used for certain fields,” he said.