The World Customs Organisation has informed of the classification decisions taken at the forty-eighth session of its Harmonised System Committee, held in September. The organisation has issued these documents: Classification Rulings and Amendments to the Compendium of Classification Opinions.

The Classification Rulings document covers these tariff subheadings: shrimp wonton – 1902.20; lithium cobalt dioxide – 2841.90; tonapofylline – 2939.59; anti- parasite lotion – 3808.91; boxes used as ornaments – 6802.99; security entrance doors – 7308.30; centrifugal juicers – 8435.10; vegetable preparation machines – 8438.60; emulsifier mixers – 8438.80; car assembly sets – 87.03; motor cycle parts – 87.11; and game and multimedia chairs – 9401.61.

The amendments to the Compendium of Classification Opinions document covers the following tariff subheadings: beverages mixed in hot water – 2106.90; electric cigarette cartridges– 3824.90; and two multipositional electric switching devices – 8537.10.

Taxation Laws Second Amendment Act
On December 23, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) informed of the promulgation, on December 14, of the Taxation Laws Second Amendment Act (Act No 25 of 2011). The amendment, with respect to the Customs and Excise Act, relates to, besides others, making additional provision for the disclosure of infor- mation.

Information could, once the Act has become effective, be disclosed to the chief commissioner of the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa, the director of the Financial Intelligence Centre or the head of any organ of State.

Amendments
Since the last instalment of this column, there have been a number of tariff and trade developments. I provide a sum- marised version of these developments, but details are available on request.

On December 15, Sars informed of the substitution in the description to rebate item 681.01/00.00/01.00 (Environmental Levy), of which the extent of rebate is full duty, which was effective from September 1, 2011; the substitution of Note 2(iii), 2(iv) and the paragraph above 27(i)(a) to Note 27(i) with rebate item 317.04 in Part 1 of Schedule No 3, which was effective from January 1, 2012; the substitution of Notes to Section B of Part 3 of Schedule No 1 (Environmental Levy – Electricity Generation); and the substitution of Rule 54FA.04 to the Customs and Excise Act, which relates to the Environmental Levy – Electricity Generation (the amendment includes amendments to the DA form); the amendment of tariff subheading 8409.99.30, which serves to reduce the rate of the customs duty on pistons and came into effect on December 23; the amendment of tariff subheadings 9028.20.10 and 9028.20.90, which serves to increase the rate of customs duty on mechanical water supply meters and became effective on December 23.

On December 21, Sars informed of the deletion of Item 210.02/4810.92/ 01.06 and Item 210.02/4810.92/02.06, which relate to antidumping duties imposed on paper and paperboard, and an amendment to the antidumping duties on hexagon bolts of iron or steel originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China (Item 215.02/7318. 15/01.06), which came into force on May 6, 2011.

Customs Connect
Sars released the second issue of Customs Connect in December. This edition looks at the achievements of 2011 under the Customs Modernisation Programme, as well as at what can be expected in 2012.

The 14-page publication contains the following articles: What you can expect in 2012; Customs modernisation milestones of 2011; Changes at Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland (BLNS) border posts; Exciting times ahead for compliant traders; New tariff system on the cards; Single registration for customs and excise clients; and New customs processes at South Africa’s border posts.

Just to whet your appetite, some of the main customs modernisation changes expected in 2012 include the roll-out of a new workflow system, declaration and inspection process at Sars’ Southern African Union border post; the introduction of a new passenger processing solution and payment process for travellers; the implementation of a new automated cargo management system for road; single registration; a preferred trader programme; a new tariff management system and enhanced tariff book; regional information technology connectivity; Interfront CMS; enhanced warehouse control and management; and tobacco industry compliance.

To subscribe to Engineering News's print magazine email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or buy now.