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 this sector and to make recommendations regarding trade policy instruments that can drive the industry towards sustainability and resilience.
This is the third review in the last 2 years that Itac has self-initiated. The first was the very big steel review, and then the renewable energy review. Both those reviews were initiated in 2025 and are still to be finalised. The glaring difference between those reviews and the paper and paper product review is the lack of information provided in the latest gazette. Both the previous reviews provided companies with a list of proposed changes to comment on, the paper review gazette does not.
The paper review gazette only states in the heading of the gazette what Itac is proposing to review, namely a review of the tariff structure, including relevant trade remedy measures and an investigation into the introduction of an import surveillance system. No other information like duty increases, reductions or possible creation of rebates is mentioned.
The review also only covers certain subsections of the paper industry. The following subsections are being reviewed:
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- HS 48.01 – Newsprint, in rolls or sheets.
- HS 48.02 – Uncoated paper and paperboard, of a kind used for writing, printing or other graphic purposes, and non-perforated punch-cards and punch tape paper, in rolls or rectangular (including square) sheets, of any size; hand-made paper and paperboard.
- HS 48.03 – Toilet or facial tissue stock, towel or napkin stock and similar paper of a kind used for household or sanitary purposes, cellulose wadding and webs of cellulose fibres, whether or not creped, crinkled, embossed, perforated, surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed, in rolls or sheets.
- HS 48.04 – Uncoated kraft paper and paperboard, in rolls or sheets.
- HS 48.05 – Other uncoated paper and paperboard, in rolls or sheets, not further worked or processed than as specified in Note 3 to this Chapter 48.
- HS 48.11 – Paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding and webs of cellulose fibres, coated, impregnated, covered, surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed, in rolls or rectangular (including square) sheets, of any size.
- HS 48.18 – Toilet paper and similar paper, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres, of a kind used for household or sanitary purposes, in rolls of a width not exceeding 36 cm, or cut to size or shape; handkerchiefs, cleansing tissues, towels, tablecloths, serviettes, bed sheets and similar household, sanitary or hospital articles, articles of apparel and clothing accessories, of paper pulp, paper, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres.
- HS 48.23 – Other paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding and webs of cellulose fibres, cut to size or shape; other articles of paper pulp, paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres.
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All the products covered by these subsections are raw materials. The review does not cover any of the products further in the downstream or final products. This is simply a very light on information gazette. The gazette provides a list of reasons for the review, but not much else. Given the lack of information, we cannot say what exactly Itac is planning on reviewing.
In the last rolling 12 months (July 2025 to June 2026), a total of 3,554 traders imported paper and paper products worth R12.87 billion and paid duties of R126.7 million. If this review follows the blueprint of the previous two investigations, the paper and paper products industry could see duties increased to the bound rate and stricter import regulations like import permits. At the moment, the gazette does not provide clarity on this. We are, however, busy putting together a list of questions for Itac, and we are hosting a free webinar on Wednesday, 23 September 2026 to talk about the next steps.