On 22 November 2024, the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) extended an invitation for comment on its proposed review of the rates of ‘Ordinary’ customs duties on various footwear products, classifiable under Chapter 64, from 30% ad valorem or 500c/2u to 30% ad valorem or 2000c/2u. Comment is due by 17 January 2025.
ITAC’s reason for the tariff application is that the former Trade, Industry and Competition Minister requested ITAC to consider investigating an increase of the alternate specific duty on various footwear products from R5.00 per pair to R20.00 per pair (as per 2022 inflation rate) classifiable under Chapter 64. As a reason for the request, it was submitted that the current alternate duty had not adjusted for inflation since 1996, and the inflation rate may have eroded the protection offered by the alternate rate of R5.00 per pair.