The South African Freight and Logistics Association says it has obtained representation in SARS Customs and Excise stakeholder engagements, allowing it to raise members’ customs and border concerns through the revenue service’s established industry-engagement structures.
The forums provide a platform for engagement between SARS and industry stakeholders on customs and excise matters, including registration, reporting, customs clearance, inspections, penalties and dispute resolution, SAFLA said.
The stakeholder framework operates at four levels: the National Stakeholder Forum; the National Operations Stakeholder Forum; Regional Stakeholder Engagements; and Key Industry Engagements. SAFLA said participation would allow it to engage SARS on issues ranging from customs policy and regulatory matters to operational challenges experienced at branch and regional level.
"Our members face real and pressing challenges at the border of customs compliance and trade facilitation every single day. Having a formal seat at these forums means we can engage SARS constructively, raise systemic issues on behalf of our members, and contribute meaningfully to the development of a more efficient and transparent customs environment," said SAFLA executive officer, Dave Logan.
The forums are intended to facilitate engagement on both strategic policy matters and operational challenges affecting trade and cargo movements, the association said.
