On December 2, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) announced the creation of a dedicated section on its website for Harmonised System 2012 amendments.

All one needs to do to access the website is to enter ‘http://www.sars.gov.za/home.asp?pid=73587’ into one’s browser and one will be able to download information on the phasing down of customs duties in terms of the free trade agreement with the European Union (EU), the phasing down of customs duties in terms of the free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Area (EFTA), the phasing down of customs of duties in terms of the Motor Industry Development Programme, the reduction in the rate of duty on paper and paperboard, the reduction in the rate of duty on aluminium products classifiable under tariff headings 76.06 and 76.07 and the reduction in the general rate of duty on organic surface-active agents and primary plastic polymers and technical amendments, as well as requests for the creation of additional tariff subheadings for statistical purposes from industry and government agencies.

Display Panels Amendment
In the Government Gazette of December 2, Sars informed of the amendment of tariff subheading 8529.90.75, which relates to display panels. The rate of customs duty for ‘general’ is 20% ad valorem, for the EU 2.6% ad valorem and for the EFTA 10% ad valorem, while that for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region is free. The amendment is effective from December 2.

Display Panels – Tariff Amendment
In the Government Gazette of December 2, Sars informed of the amendment of tariff subheading 8529.90.75, which relates to display panels. The rate of customs duty for ‘general’ is 20% ad valorem, for the EU 0%, for the EFTA 7.6% ad valorem and for the SADC region 0%. The amendment is effective from January 1, 2012.

Display Panels Rebate Provision Amendment
In the Government Gazette dated December 2, Sars informed of the deletion of rebate item 316.23/8529. 90/01.06, relating to liquid crystal display panels, and of the insertion of rebate items 316.23/00.00/01.00; 316.23/8529.90/02.06 and 316.23/8529.90/03.06 with respect to certain monitors. The amendment is effective from December 2, 2012.

Renewal of 2012 Licences Due
In an earlier column, I reminded readers of a Sars letter titled ‘Reminder to renew licences for 2012’. In terms of Section 60(1) and the rules thereto, as well as Schedule 8, of the Customs and Excise Act, clearing agent and road haulier licences are valid for a year and must be renewed annually by December 31.

Dumping: Fully Threaded Screws with Hexagon Heads
A notice appeared in respect of the initia- tion of an investigation into the alleged dumping of fully threaded screws with hexagon heads, excluding those of stainless steel, originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China.

The application was lodged by the South African Fastener Manu- facturers Asso- ciation (SAFMA), an industrial organisation for the major producers of the subject product in the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) region. The SAFMA constitutes 80% of the Sacu production value.

The allegation of dumping is based on the comparison between the normal value in China and the export price from China. The normal value was constructed based on the cost of production plus general selling and administration expenses and profit in China. The export price was based on six-month import statistics from Sars.
Comment is due by December 27.

Proposed Increase in Duty: Stainless Steel Sinks
A notice appeared in respect of the pro- posed increase in the rate of customs duty on stainless-steel sinks from 20% ad valorem to 30% ad valorem.

The application was lodged by Franke Kitchen Systems, which reasoned that the stainless-steel sinks industry is currently distressed as a result of lowly priced stainless-steel sinks imported from China and other countries. An increase in the rate of customs duty from 20% ad valorem to 30% ad valorem will protect the local market and enable them to be more competitive.
Comment due by December 16.

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