On 14 April 2023, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) announced the substitution of Additional Note 5(c)(i) in Chapter 22 (Beverages, Spirits and Vinegar) in Part 1 of Schedule No.1 to the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 “Ordinary Customs Duty” in order to allow for the use of grape juice in the manufacturing of fermented apple beverages or ciders as prescribed in the Regulations to the Liquor Products Act.
The Additional Note 5(c)(i) reads:
“(i) fermented apple beverages shall consist of fruit juice derived from pears or grapes or added fermented pear beverages or added unspecified alcoholic fruit beverage derived solely from grapes.”