On 26 January 2023, the Director: Customs Border Operations, Ports of Entry & Customs Compliance, to Traders and Agents, issued the following letter: “Subject: 13th Deferment Payment at the End of the 2022/2023 Financial Year”.
This letter serves as a reminder to all Customs clients who are deferment account holders to kindly adhere to the 13th deferment payment requirements, which become due by end of the financial year, 31 March 2023.
The Customs External Standard-Deferment document (SC-DT-B-02) effective 29 March 2019 stipulates that, in addition to the twelve (12) regular payment dates chosen by the client, there will be a thirteenth payment in March.
The statement period for the thirteenth payment of this financial year (2022/2023) will close on 30 March 2023 at 00h00 (midnight). It is the obligation of every account holder to ensure that their reconciliations are done timeously, and that payment is received no later than 15h00 on 31 March 2023.
The e-statements will be available from 04h00 on 31 March 2023 for account holders who are on e-Filing. Account holders not on e-Filing, are advised to make prior arrangements for their statements to be e-mailed to them by their Customs Branch Office.
Furthermore, stakeholders are advised specifically in cases where their bank does not transfer direct payment immediately, that they should ensure that the payments are made sufficiently in advance in order to meet the payment deadline as above, failing which a deferment suspension will be applied in line with the policy.
Your cooperation in this regard is highly appreciated.