Excise External Policy Oil Industry
On 05 June the South African Revenue Service (Sars) announced the publication of the “Excise External Policy Oil Industry”. It covers: (a) The oil industry (including category 2 manufacturers of biodiesel). (b) “Fuel levy goods” – any goods specified in Part 5A of Schedule No 1 to the Customs and Excise Act, 1964, including biodiesel. (c) It does not cover: (i) Non-commercial and category 1 manufacturers of biodiesel; (ii) The completion of the DA 159 and DA 160 (Petroleum products accounts); (iii) Bonds; (iv) Licensing and registration requirements; and (v) Refunds by licensed distributors.
Online Integrity Development Tool
The World Customs Organisation (WCO) on 27 June announced the release of a new Integrity Development Tool – a compilation of WCO members’ integrity practices on Internal Control and Relationship with External controls. The compilation is the result of a survey that was conducted among WCO members. Its purpose was to collect sufficient material on members’ experiences and practices and conduct an analysis of responses. It will serve as a good practice guide for WCO members on internal integrity controls and how such controls could benefit from strengthened relationships with other government entities that have responsibility to prevent and/or address corruption-related matters such as national anti-corruption agencies and committees, police, prosecution and state security agencies. This new instrument will help Customs administrations to implement principle 6 (“Audit and Investigation”) of the WCO Revised Arusha Declaration – good governance and integrity in Customs.
WCO Private Sector Consultative Group
On 24 and 25 June the WCO Private Sector Consultative Group (PSCG) met for its 47th
session, in preparation for its dialogue with the WCO Policy Commission members on 26 June. The PSCG discussed its work on the Comprehensive Review of the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC), performance measurement, the WCO study report on disruptive technologies – exploring possibilities for PSCG contribution and nonnegotiated tariffs and retaliatory tariffs. In addition, it reviewed the status of the WCO Cross-Border E-Commerce Framework of Standards and expressed its support for the framework and its commitment to participate in any additional WCO work on e-commerce.
National Pavilion List 2019/20
The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) has published its National Pavilion List for 2019 and 2020 (https:// www.thedti.gov.za/ invitations/national_ pavilion2019-20.pdf) listing the various exhibitions, trade shows and national pavilions it uses to promote South Africa’s manufactured products in international markets. Participation in these pavilions is open to manufacturers and registered exporters who have been in business for at least two years and are export ready. These exporters stand to benefit from the dti’s Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (Emia) scheme.
Duty Calls’ Watchlist
Comment is due on: The Rules and Forms to the Act, 1964 for registration and licensing by 19 July. The reduction of the rate of customs duty on motorcycle helmets; the increase of the rate of customs duty on coated or plated flat-rolled steel; and the rebate of the customs duty on flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel by 05 July.
