blogs posted so far
0
Proposed changes to anti-dumping duties on stainless steel sinks and new rebates on safeguard duties on hot-rolled steel
Some steel rebates created for hot-rolled steel safeguard duties This is a good thing, because it allows flavours of hot-rolled steel, not produced locally to be exempted from the safeguard duties. The general export rebate (470.03),…
Say no to Political Economic Empowerment!
There is a frightening article in the Sunday Times which explains that “[a] department of co-operative governance & traditional affairs (Cogta) skills audit revealed in 2023 that more than 300 KwaZulu-Natal councillors were illiterate, raising questions…
PPS for scrap metal is being reviewed again – and its (mostly) not good
Itac is proposing to reduce the Price Preference System (PPS) discount on scrap steel from 30% to 25%., but…. always the but…. keep reading… PPS provides a raw material subsidy to scrap consumers such as mini-mills…
Provisional anti-dumping duties imposed on windscreens
On 31 October 2025, SARS imposed the provisional payment in the anti-dumping investigation against the alleged circumvention of the anti-dumping duties on windscreens for vehicles classifiable under tariff subheading 7007.21.20 originating in or imported from the…
Anti-dumping investigation initiated on steel pipes imported from Mozambique
Hall Longmore brought an application for anti-dumping duties on pipes made of iron or steel, of an external diameter exceeding 406.4mm, cleared under tariff code 7305.19, from Mozambique. Longitudinally submerged arc welded and longitudinally welded pipes…
Imports from Ethiopia are now eligible for preferential duties under AfCFTA
On 14 August 2025, Ethiopia became the 13th non-Sadc state to implement the Provisional Schedule of Tariff Concession of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), joining Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Tunisia, Burundi, Morocco,…
G20 trade policy in 2025: Tariffs rise again as security shapes global trade
Earlier in October 2025, the St. Gallen Endowment for Prosperity Through Trade released its latest G20 Trade Policy Factbook. The report shows that trade activity among G20 members remains high and increasingly complex. Although the total…
Chrome ore export control: new step to strengthen South Africa’s mining industry
On 3 October 2025, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) published a notice inviting public comment on a proposal to place chrome ore (tariff subheading 2610.00) under export control. This step follows a…
Updates on tariff schedules: what you need to know!
On 3 October 2025, SARS published amendments to its tariff schedules, effective from 1 January 2026, to align South Africa’s customs duties with its commitments under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). These changes include…
South Africa’s poultry market inquiry: What it means for consumers, farmers, and the industry
On 30 September 2025, the Competition Commission officially launched the Poultry Market Inquiry (PMI) to examine how South Africa’s poultry industry works from breeding and feed to the sale of chicken and eggs on supermarket shelves.…
The Big Beautiful Bible Book is selling out, plus TrumpRx and Trump Sneakers!
Not satisfied with the ‘sweet smell of victory’, President Trump is now also flogging bibles. There are seven versions of the Good Book, ranging in price from $59.99 for the basic version to the $1 000…
Application for Temporary Rebate on Pneumatic Tyres for Agricultural and Forestry Machinery
Tubestone (Pty) Ltd applied for a temporary rebate provision on new pneumatic tyres used in agricultural and forestry vehicles and machines, tariff subheading 4011.70.10. They argue that there are no local manufacturers of the subject product…
U.S. Slaps Duties on Corrosion-Resistant Steel Imports from SA and Other Countries
On 25 September 2025, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) ruled that corrosion-resistant steel (CORE) imports from South Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, Taiwan, Turkey, the UAE, and Vietnam are injuring the U.S. domestic…
Tariff Zombies! Why you should care about South Africa’s tariff policy
Last week we published our seventh import duty investigation report, this one with a 1950s horror movie theme. The tariff zombies, investigations which are never completed and yet never die, now dominate. This is depressing because there…
Two new manufacturing rebates created (palm oil and stainless pipes & profiles)
On 12 September 2025, Itac introduced two new manufacturing rebates. The first rebate applies to palm oil classified under the tariff subheading 1511.20.90 for use in the manufacture of soaps and organic surface-active products and preparations in…
Of special rocks, even more special humans and iPhones – Why beneficiation is difficult
The difference between a rock in the ground and an iPhone in your pocket is human capital. No one has control over where the rocks are distributed but everyone has control of the human capital in…
Trump’s liberation day tariffs lose their freedom as they are deemed illegal by the US Court of Appeals
In the case of V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. Trump, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit confirmed the decision by the Court of International Trade (CIT) regarding the legality of the “Reciprocal Tariffs”…
Itac introduces new palm oil rebate to support local producers
Itac has introduced a new manufacturing rebate on palm oil with effect from 29 August 2025. This rebate applies to palm oil classified under the tariff subheading 1511.90.90 for use in the manufacture of cooking oils,…
Sunset review of anti-dumping duties on gypsum plasterboard originating from Thailand and Indonesia
On 20 August 2025, ITAC initiated a sunset review of anti-dumping duties imposed on boards, sheets, panels, tiles, and similar articles of plaster or compositions based on plaster, not ornamented, faced or reinforced with paper or…
SA’s steel Liberation Day tariffs are upon us
There is a steel importer who will see their duty liability increase by R119 million on the day Itac imposes their proposed steel tariffs. I don’t know who this company is, but our own Liberation Day…
Brazil takes the US to the WTO and the DTIC proposes a block competition exemption for the promotion of exports
Finally, a challenge at the WTO for Trump’s tariffs In a significant development for international trade, Brazil has formally requested consultations with the United States through the World Trade Organization (WTO). This action initiates a dispute…
A loss for the government on unsanctioned BEE requirements in the award of air services licenses
The government has conceded on the unlawfulness of unsanctioned BEE requirements under the Air Services Licensing Act 115 of 1990. This is a big deal, so take the few minutes to grind your way through this…
SA exports to the US attract a 30% duty
This is a grim way to start your Friday, but SA ended up with a 30% “Liberation Day” tariff for all goods except: precious metals and critical minerals (gold, platinum, etc), which attract no duty. those…
A BIG DEAL: A new Record of Understanding is being considered with China
ITAC just published a note on LinkedIn stating “On 28 July 2025, ITAC hosted officials from the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (MOFCOM)’s Trade Remedies and Investigation Bureau (TRIB), along with representatives…
Another peanut butter and steel investigation
Peanut butter duty increase application (version 2.0) On Friday, 25 July 2025, the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) initiated a duty increase application on peanut butter. The applicant, RCL Group Services (Pty) Ltd,…
About those 2025 “Employment Equity Targets” – Sakeliga and NEASA are challenging their lawfulness
The National Employers’ Association of South Africa (NEASA) and Sakeliga NPC have launched a legal challenge against the Minister of Employment and Labour on the contentious “2025 Targets” for employment equity. These targets are a result…
Provisional anti-dumping duties imposed on top load washing machines originating in or imported from China and Thailand
On 18 July 2025 provisional duties were imposed on top load washing machines imported from China and Thailand. The provisional duties published flow from the preliminary findings in the ongoing investigation. The anti-dumping investigation was initiated on…
The sweet smell of Trump’s victory ($100 off if you buy 2)
President Trump just launched a fragrance called Trump Victory 45 – 47, part of the “Fight Fight Fight Collection”. The lid of the $249 bottle is a (obviously) gold statuette of Trump, tummy flat, shoulders back,…
Trump really wants to impose a 30% tariff on goods from South Africa
Well, sort of. On 1 August, he won’t be imposing his 30% tariffs on Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), gold, chrome and coal, which is about half of what we export to America. Everything else will attract…
New Excise Duty and Tariff Rules for Vaping Devices: What You Need to Know!
On 4 July 2025, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) introduced important amendments to the Customs and Excise Act, 1964, aimed at tightening the regulation of electronic cigarettes and vaping products. These changes, reflected in amendments…