Email your news and press releases to sacustoms@cargoinfo.co.za The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has released its 19-page “External Guide – Accreditation” dated 22 November 2012. It provides clients with information on the Sars Customs Accreditation Programme and facilitates the process of application for accreditation applying to existing clients and clients interested in joining the accredited client programme. It provides details on the application process, de-accreditation and cancellation or suspension of accredited client status. According to the Guide it provides for aspects of regulating the accredited client programme by ensuring that: (i) Only an importer or exporter registered in terms of the Customs and Excise Act (the Act) including any importer or exporter deemed to be a level one accredited client in terms of Rule 64E10(a) of the Act may apply for level two status. (ii) The person employed by the applicant who will be responsible for the accredited client requirements, must pass a test administered by the Commissioner for Sars. (iii) A Customs Accreditation Review Committee (CARC) manages a final review of decisions relating to the approval or refusal of an application for accreditation, de-accreditation or cancellation thereof. (iv) The relationship between the client and Customs in respect of the “Preferred Trader” [level two] client status application, engagement and management is facilitated. (v) The applicant must provide proof of compliance with Customs legislation, policies and procedures and should not have been convicted of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty. A more detailed article appears in this week’s Duty Calls.