On 23 February 2024, the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) extended an invitation for comment on the creation of a temporary rebate provision for the importation of “Domestic ventilating or recycling hoods incorporating a fan, whether or not fitted with filters, having a maximum horizontal side not exceeding 120 cm, classifiable in tariff subheading 8414.60.20, in such quantities, at such times and subject to such conditions as the International Trade Administration Commission may allow by specific permit, provided the subject goods are not available in the SACU market”.
The application was lodged by Defy Appliances (Pty) Ltd who reasoned that:
- There are currently no manufacturers of cooker hoods in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) region and therefore all products are imported;
- Historically, Defy sourced the cooker hoods from a local manufacturer, however, the company has since discontinued the manufacture of cooker hoods, leaving Defy with no option but to import the product; and
- The customs duty paid on importation of the subject products is unnecessarily high depending on which country the product is imported from.
Comment is due by 22 March 2024.