South African Revenue Service (Sars) commissioner Edward Kieswetter has granted special permission for the importation of jet fuel for a year, averting a supply crisis at OR Tambo and other airports over the December holiday period.
According to News24, the reprieve will run from 21 October 2024 until 20 October next year.
The decision comes days after the local fuel industry flagged concerns about a severe threat to the supply of jet fuel, also known as aviation kerosene, to OR Tambo International Airport.
The feared shortage would have affected other airports that are supplied through Durban.
Industry attributed the challenge to regulatory delays related to Sars' licensing for fuel importation and storage.
The tax authority, however, said it was industry participants who were finding it difficult to adhere to the strict provisions of the Customs and Excise Act which governs the movement of such fuel, the online news platform reports.
The challenge arises as companies have increasingly moved to import fuel after three coastal refineries have closed in recent years.
"The special permission is granted to allow parties to attend to the complexities involved in the process of the deregistration of manufacturing warehouses and reregistration of affected storage facilities," Sars said in a statement.
"The commissioner requests all parties to conclude the outstanding work urgently and ensure that all compliance requirements are met and that the current licensing provision, in respect of the importation of kerosene fuel and its derivatives, may be confirmed where appropriate."
News24 reports that the revenue authority said every taxpayer that was involved would be communicated with individually, and in line with their applicable circumstances.
"Sars believes that this announcement will bring certainty to the industry, which will benefit the country’s economy and enable everyone to travel smoothly," it said.
