The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) has announced that a number of antidumping duties are due to lapse, if antidumping investigations are not initiated. The products in question are acetaminophenol imported from or originating in the Peoples Republic of China (China), France or the US; blankets originating in China or Turkey; bolts and nuts of iron or steel originating in China; nuts of iron and steel originating in Taiwan; paper-insulated, lead-covered electric cable originating in India; polyethylene terephthalate originating in Taiwan, India or the Republic of Korea; and unframed glass mirrors originating in India or Indonesia.

Manufacturers in the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) who wish to submit a request for a particular antidumping duty to be reviewed prior to its expiry should do so by July 31.

Trade Remedy Application – Detonating Fuses

Itac has published a notice in respect of the resumption of an investigation into the alleged dumping of detonating fuses and delay deto- nators (commonly known as shocktubes) originating in or imported from China.

The initial application lodged by African Explosives Limited was published in the Government Gazette of July 8, 2005. In this notice, the product was described as detonating fuses consisting of a plastic tube, internally lined with a mixture of pyrotechnic powders (commonly known as shocktubes) and delay detonators with a length exceeding 50 mm, whether or not presented together.

Sacu importers and the Chinese exporter have until August 2 to submit their respective questionnaires.

Customs and Excise Amendment

In the Government Gazette of June 29, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) issued rules in respect of the Customs and Excise Act, relating to places of entry for goods by air, land and sea.

Customs and Excise Amendment

Also in the Government Gazette of June 29, Sars issued rules in respect of Section 38 of the Act, which relate to the paperless release.

Bilateral Investment Treaties Policy Review
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has given public notice of its initiation of a review of bilateral investment treaties entered into by South Africa and other countries since 1994.

The aim of the review is to make recommen- dations to Cabinet in respect of the policy and legal considerations which will impact on any future decisions taken by the executive on the protection and promotion of investments, from both inward and outward foreign direct investment perspectives.

The DTI has developed a draft policy review document, and comment on this document is due by July 24.

Tariff Application – Paprika – Duty Rebate
The proposed rebate of the full rate of customs duty on dried, crushed or ground fruit of the genus Capsicum for the extraction of oleoresins of a kind used in the food industry, in such quantities, at such times and subject to such conditions as Itac may allow by specific permit, provided the commission is satisfied that the subject fruit is not available in the Sacu region.
Comment is due by July 24.

Tariff Application – Clothing – Duty Increase
The proposed increase in the rate of duty on 122 tariff subheadings of certain articles of apparel. The products in question relate to jackets, blazers, trousers, dresses, skirts, men’s or boys shirts, women’s or girls’ blouses, shirt blouses, underpants and briefs, and panties, T-shirts, singlets and other vests, jerseys and pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats, babies’ garments and clothing accessories, track suits, other pantihose and tights, overcoats, raincoats, carcoats, capes, cloaks and overcoats.