Time for industry to weigh in on Sars’ modernisation agenda

As SA Revenue Service continues to drive its modernisation agenda, it’s time for the industry to weigh in and articulate its needs more clearly. That’s the view of Core Freight managing director Jonathan Sims who told delegates at the Smart Procurement World Conference in Midrand recently that there were several outstanding issues that needed to be addressed, and the freight and trading industry was mutually accountable for ensuring follow-through. “The objectives with regard to the move towards modernisation of the Sars Customs department are laudable,” said Sims, “and have already positively impacted on the trade cycle. But the focus should perhaps be extended. “Communication is key and while Sars is driving the change to modernisation according to its own agenda, the industry needs to articulate its needs more clearly and find a mechanism for mutual accountability,” he said. While the current rate of modernisation is not inhibiting trade, it could potentially have a much bigger impact on efficient and cost-effective customs processing if several outstanding issues were addressed, he added. These range from legislation and single registration to deferred account management and refund management among others. In Sims’ view, one of the major obstacles to Sars addressing these issues fast enough is the skills and capacity within the customs department and the legislation to enable the changes. CAPTION Jonathan Sims … ‘Industry needs to articulate its needs more clearly.’