Customs is set to hold another workshop with industry early in the New Year to discuss the second draft of rules to the Customs Duty Act before work can start on the third and final draft.
According to Sandile Memela, South African Revenue (Sars) spokesman, the process is moving forward and comments on the second draft were received at the end of November 2016.
“Officials are now reviewing these comments before a workshop will be held with trade,” he said. “The workshop is expected to take place early in 2017.”
He said any rules under the new legislation would only be final upon declaration by notice in the Government Gazette, which would only be closer to the date of implementation of the legislation.
Work on the third draft of the Customs Control rules commenced after engagement with the trade in August 2016 and will be made public during 2017.
Rules for the Customs and Excise Amendment Act, 2014, are still being drafted.
The three acts were promulgated in 2014.
Memela said while all industry comment had been received by the second draft, the reason for publication of the third draft of both sets of rules was to offer trade sight of the final drafts.
“No further comments will be accepted during the publication of the third drafts in 2017, in order to allow for the development of the new system. Stakeholders can stay abreast of updates on the Sars website,” he said.