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EU launches a safeguard investigation into hybrid cars for transporting people
The EU has launched a safeguard investigation against hybrid vehicles for the transport of persons and South Africa has not only exported a lot of those vehicles to the EU, but also has seen significant growth…
Provisional duties imposed on steel fasteners and office paper
Provisional anti-dumping payments imposed on screws and bolts from China and Malaysia On 30 October 2026, provisional anti-dumping payments ranging from 64.57% to 258.57% were imposed on certain screws and bolts originating in or imported from…
Correction notice for hexagon nuts anti-dumping investigation
On 23 October 2026, Itac published an amendment correcting the subject product description and the specific tariff heading under which the product is classified, in relation to the investigation on the alleged dumping of hexagon nuts…
New provisional duties and tariff amendments for the paper industry
16 October 2026 was a busy day for the paper industry. Increase in general customs duties First, SARS published an amendment to Part 1 of Schedule No.1, the ordinary customs duties for tariff subheading 4801.00, newsprint,…
Correction notice for flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel
On 16 October 2026, SARS published an amendment of provisional payment in relation to anti-dumping duties against the alleged dumping of flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more,…
South Africa’s One Big Beautiful Consolidated Public Procurement Act Struck Down by the Concourt: What It Means for You
On 17 September 2026, the Constitutional Court of South Africa issued a unanimous judgment invalidating the highly anticipated Public Procurement Act 28 of 2024 (PPA) in its entirety. The landmark ruling, in Premier of the Western…
New tariff review on Ch 48 paper and paper products initiated
On 17 September 2026, Itac self-initiated a sector-wide review of the paper and paper products industry. The request for this review came directly from the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, who requested Itac to review…
Itac initiates anti-dumping investigations into PET and Portland cement imports
On 18 September 2026, Itac initiated two anti-dumping investigations concerning polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and Portland cement imported into SACU. Anti-dumping investigation into PET from China, Egypt and Oman Itac initiated an investigation into the alleged dumping…
Steel Review Round Two: Itac Proposes Further Tariff Increases, Rebates and Import Controls
On 18 September 2026, Itac published its preliminary determinations on the second phase of its review of the tariff structure and possible introduction of an import surveillance system for steel products classified under Chapters 72, 73,…
The long awaited, long / structural steel rebate, is still awaiting
The rebate on all long / structural steel products not produced in Sacu has still not been implemented, which is a very bad thing. This rebate item was proposed in the 2nd phase of the steel…
Trade alert – New anti-dumping and safeguard duties imposed
Final anti-dumping duties on windscreens for vehicles Itac has finalised their anti-dumping investigation on windscreens for vehicles. The two investigations were initiated by Itac on 7 March 2025. Investigation into the alleged circumvention of the anti-dumping…
Will a child born in SA be better off in 30 years than their Argentinian twin?
On 5 January 2025, I wrote “President Javier Milei is running the world’s largest experiment in anarcho-capitalism. He is cutting red tape, shrinking government and (for now) appears to be reducing inflation to manageable levels. If…
Good News for South African Exporters: VAT Rules Finally Catch Up With Reality
Exporting goods from South Africa just got a little less complicated. On 25 August 2026, the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, officially updated the rules around Value-Added Tax (VAT) for exporters. This common-sense change fixes a…
Sugar import duty increased to 697.92c/Kg
On 28 August 2026, the customs duty on imported sugar increased from 483.72c/kg to 697.92c/kg. The increase follows Itac’s decision to raise the Dollar-Based Reference Price (DBRP) for sugar from US$680/ton to US$785/ton. The new duty applies…
Sars implements provisional anti-dumping duties on colour-coated steel imported from China
On 28 August 2026, SARS implemented provisional anti-dumping duties on colour-coated steel from China. The investigation covers painted, varnished or plastic-coated flat-rolled steel, 600 mm or wider, imported under tariff subheadings 7210.70.20, 7210.70.30, 7210.70.40 and 7210.70.90. The case…
ITAC reconsiders proposed 10% customs duty on Aluminium Chlorohydrate
On 21 August 2026, the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) published a Gazette concerning the proposed increase in the customs duty on aluminium chlorohydrate. Proposed duty increase on aluminium chlorohydrate ITAC is reconsidering…
There can be no growth without secure property rights
It is incredibly important that the State resoundingly lose the expropriation without compensation case currently underway in the Western Cape High Court. No economy has ever grown, and most have shrunk, where property rights are not…
New sunset review on frozen bone-in chicken imported from Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom
On 14 August 2026, ITAC initiated a sunset review of anti-dumping duties imposed on frozen bone-in portions of fowls of the species Gallus Domesticus, classifiable under tariff subheading 0207.14.9, originating in or imported from Germany, the…
New temporary rebate created for agricultural or forestry tyres
On 14 August 2026, SARS amended Part 2 of Schedule No.4 by the insertion of a rebate provision for the importation of new pneumatic tyres of a kind used on agricultural or forestry vehicles and machines,…
Itac Initiates Anti-Dumping Investigation into Gypsum Plasterboard from China and Saudi Arabia
On 7 August 2026, Itac initiated an anti-dumping investigation into boards, sheets, panels, tiles, and similar articles of plaster or of compositions based on plaster, not ornamented, faced or reinforced with paper or paperboard only (“Gypsum…
Wheat and Wheaten Products Now Subject to Zero Import Duty
On 6 August 2026, the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, published an amendment to Part 1 of Schedule No. 1 to the Customs and Excise Act, 1964, reducing the applicable import duties on certain wheat and…
United Kingdom Launches Safeguard Investigation into Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
On 5 August 2026, the United Kingdom notified the WTO Committee on Safeguards that its Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has initiated a safeguard investigation into imports of certain polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from all sources. The investigation,…
Why SA’s industrial policy keeps locking in monopoly rents
I got into trouble—I think unfairly—for saying that if you wanted to find the next failing sector in South Africa, just look at the industries with masterplans (or the Master’s Plans, which got me into even…
New Anti-Dumping and Safeguard Investigations on Cold-Rolled Steel
On 10 July 2026, Itac initiated both a anti-dumping and safeguard investigations into cold-rolled steel, with the anti-dumping investigation focusing on China. Primary steel is now the most protected sector in Sacu, with these two cases…
Import duties on frozen vegetables remain at 10% and a new rebate is requested on aluminium containers
Import duties on frozen vegetable to remain at 10% The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) has concluded its tariff review of the customs duty applicable to frozen mixed vegetables. The decision was published…
Conclusion of Sunset Review Duties on Gypsum Plasterboard
On 3 July, Itac has officially concluded its sunset review of the anti-dumping duties on Gypsum Plasterboard, classifiable under tariff subheading 6809.11, originating in or imported from the Republic of Indonesia and the Kingdom of Thailand.…
Tariff quotas on steel to be introduced by the European Union
On 24 June 2026 the European Union (EU) published Regulation 2026/1384 of the European Parliament and Council, dated 17 June 2026, introducing tariff quotas on steel imported into the EU. The proposed tariff quotas will affect…
Additional rebate support for appliance manufacturers
On 18 June 2026, SARS amended the rebate provisions available to manufacturers of cooking and cooling appliances. The amendments introduce new rebate items covering additional components used in manufacturing household refrigerators, freezers, stoves, hobs, and non-electric…
Trade alert: New safeguard duties on steel products and aluminium rebate provision.
Recent notices published in the Government Gazette on 12 June 2026 highlight important developments affecting South Africa’s steel and manufacturing sectors. Safeguard duties on corrosion-resistant steel products Following an investigation conducted by the International Trade Administration…
Amendment to tariff rate quotas on cheese imports from the UK, under Schedule 1
A Government Gazette notice dated 12 June 2026 amends Schedule No. 1 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964, revising the tariff rate quota (TRQ) arrangement for selected cheese products with retrospective effect from 1 September…