Boxer Shorts The proposed inclusion under Rebate Item 311.40/5208.4/01.05 of boxer shorts as part of the manufactured products currently qualifying under the rebate provision concerned as follows: “Woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 per cent or more by mass of cotton, of a mass not exceeding 200g/m2, woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85 per cent or more by mass of cotton, of a mass not exceeding 200g/m2, of yarns of different colours, for the manufacture of men’s or boy’s shirts classifiable in heading 62.05, women’s or girl’s blouses, shirts and shirt-blouses classifiable in heading 62.06 and boxer-short classifiable in heading 62.07 and 62.08”. The application was lodged by Ninian & Lester (Pty) Ltd who as one of the reasons for the application argued that the current rebate provision did not allow for the fabric to be imported duty free under this rebate provision unless it is specifically used to manufacture those specified under the provision, which deters the manufacture of boxer shorts locally. Comment is due by 22 March 2013. Metal Nails The proposed increase in the general rate of customs duty on (i) wire nails with shanks pointed at one end, presented in strips, classifiable under tariff subheading 7317.00.05 from 5% ad valorem to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) bound rate of 15% ad valorem; (ii) pointed screw-nails with twisted shanks and unslotted heads classifiable under tariff subheading 7317.00.07 from 5% ad valorem to the WTO bound rate of 15% ad valorem; and (iii) other wire nails classifiable under tariff subheading 7317.00.10 from 5% ad valorem to the WTO bound rate of 15% ad valorem. The application was lodged by Dunrose Trading 57 (Pty) ltd, t/a Albracon (Pty) Ltd who reasoned that the imports of wire nails had increased substantially over the period 2009 to 2011, which has resulted in loss of market share and reduced profit margins. Comment is due by 22 March 2013. Aluminium Slugs The proposed creation of a temporary rebate of customs duty on aluminium slugs for impact extrusion, of aluminium, classifiable under tariff subheading 7616.99.30 for the manufacture of aluminium aerosol cans of a capacity not exceeding 500ml, classifiable under tariff subheading 7612.90.40. The application was initiated by Itac who argued that there were no local manufacturers of aluminium slugs for impact extrusion in the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu), and that the rebate provision would contribute to reducing production costs of the aluminium aerosol cans. Comment is due by 22 March 2013.
