DUTY CALLS

Chicken Meat
Investigation
On 12 June 2013 the
International Trade
Administration
Commission of South
Africa (Itac) issued the
following media release
titled “Investigation of
an increase in tariffs on
imported chicken meat”.
On 11 June 2013, the
Commission met to
evaluate the outcomes
of the investigation on
the application by the
South African Poultry
Association (SAPA), for
an increase in the duty on
a range of categories of
frozen chicken meat.
At its meeting, the
Commission heard and
considered submissions by
interested parties making
both written and oral
presentations to it. The
interested parties that
made submissions included
SAPA, the applicant,
and those opposing the
application, namely the
Association of Meat
Importers and Exporters
(AMIE), Merlo and Boxer.
In its consideration
and deliberations on the
production, trade and
financial information
pertaining to the poultry
industry, the Commission
concluded that further
in-depth and rigorous
analysis of the information
at its disposal was needed.
It therefore decided to
make a final determination
on this matter at its next
meeting, scheduled for 09
July 2013.
After this meeting, a
recommendation will be
made to the Minister of
Trade and Industry. The
power to decide on import
tariffs resides with the
executive authority and
Itac is an expert body
that provides advice to
government.
It must be noted that
there is also a High Court
hearing in relation to this
investigation scheduled
for 18 June 2013. The
High Court hearing is on
an application launched
by AMIE to access
confidential information
pertaining to the
investigation.
Handover of Vessels
In a Government
Gazette dated 11 June
2013 the Minister of
Agriculture, Forestry
and Fisheries published
for general information,
confirmation of the
transfer of the Department
of Agriculture, Forestry
and Fisheries’ (Daff)
f leet of vessels from the
Department of Defence
and Military Veterans
(DODMV) to Daff with
effect from 01 April 2013.
Duty Calls’ Watch
List
Comment is due by 05
July 2013 in respect of the
corrected notice for the
proposed increase in the
rate of customs duty on
certain screws, bolts and
nuts.
Comment is due by 28
June 2013 in respect of
the proposed reduction in
the rate of customs duty
on laminates of phenolic
resins with a basis of
paper, by the creation
of a new 8-digit tariff
subheading for “laminates
of phenolic” resins
with a basis of paper,
thermosetting”.
Comment is due by 28
June 2013 in respect of
the proposed rebate of
the customs duty on (i)
polyurethane f lat shapes
self-adhesive on one side
only in rolls; (ii) silicone
elastomeric straps; (iii)
natural rubber straps; and
(iv) inner and outer shells
of non-woven material for
the manufacture of dust
masks.