Hexagon Screws Safeguard Investigation
On 20 April the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) initiated a safeguard investigation into increased imports of other screws fully threaded with hexagon heads made of steel, classifiable under tariff subheading 7318.15.39, on which comment is due by 20 June. The application was lodged by the South African Iron and Steel Institute (SAISI) and the South African Fasteners Manufacturers’ Association (SAFMA) on behalf of its members CBC Fasteners (Pty) Ltd (CBC) and Transvaal Pressed Nuts Bolts and Rivets (Pty) Ltd (TPN). SAISI serves the interests of the primary steel industry, whilst TPN and CBC are the largest producers of hexagon screws.
Payment of Duty and its Rate Rule
On 20 April the South African Revenue Service (Sars) announced the amendment of rule 47 to the Customs and Excise Act, 1961 ‘Payment of duty and rate of duty applicable’, effective from 20 April, through the substitution for rule 47.03(a)(v) of the following: ‘(v) All other classes or kinds of alcoholic beverages not mentioned above, after a period of 36 months, but within a period of 48 months.’
Reporting of conveyances and goods
Sars on 20 April announced the amendment of the Rules and the Forms to the Act relating to the reporting of conveyances and goods, which is effective from 20 April. Days earlier, on 16 April, Sars released its RCG User Implementation Guide. The forms relate to form DA 8 – Application for registration to submit report for sea cargo; form DA 8A – Application for registration to submit report for air cargo; form DA 8B – Application for registration to submit report for rail cargo; and form DA 8C – Application for registration to submit report for road cargo.
Accreditation of Clients – Preferred Trader
On 20 April Sars announced the amendments of Rule 64E to the Act, ‘Accreditation of clients’ and specifically to Rule 64E.14 to the Act, ‘Benefits applicable to Level 2 accredited client status’, which is effective on 20 April.
WTO Certificates of Origin Forum
World Trade Organisation (WTO) members and private sector representatives met on 18 April to discuss the challenges faced by exporters in complying with requirements related to certificates of origin. Although importers need to obtain certificates of origin to benefit under preferential trade arrangements, in the absence of trade preferences, certificates of origin are still required for reasons such as enforcing antidumping measures or ensuring application of most favoured nation (MFN) tariff treatment for imports from WTO members. In addition, non-preferential rules of origin are also linked to labelling obligations and the application of quotas. According to WTO agreements, WTO members should only require a certificate of origin when they are “strictly indispensable”. Several speakers noted that certificates of origin also generated additional cost and delays for businesses.
Customs - Police Cooperation Handbook
On 17 April the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and INTERPOL released their handbook developed to enhance cooperation and collaboration between their two agencies.
