Still no clarity on Customs Bills

There is still no indication as to when industry will get its first glimpse of the all-important rules and regulations that will guide the country’s new customs bills. According to Mike Walwyn, chairman of the Cape Port Liaison Forum (PLF), there was talk that the two bills currently before Parliament would be promulgated before the elections but to date industry has not seen the rules and regulations. “Ultimately these are the more important documents as the new acts cannot take effect until the rules and regulations are available.” Walwyn said there would be an all-round industry outcry should the bills be passed and implemented without the rules and regulations being made available. There is still no indication how far customs are in drafting these regulations that will ultimately govern the act.