INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH AFRICA
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Reduction in the customs duty on imported products to reduce the cost of production
Frequently asked questions
  What happens to my application after being submitted?
  Receipt is acknowledged and ITAC allocates the application to an investigating officer who will be responsible for compiling a submission on your application for consideration. The investigating officer will contact you if any additional information is required.
  What is the process that is followed by ITAC when considering an application for changes to customs duties?
  When considering an application for a change to customs duties, a submission containing all the information required by the Commission is compiled for its consideration. Should the Commission decide the merit of the application justifies further investigation, the application is published in the Government Gazette allowing a period of 6 weeks for public comments. Comments received are referred to the applicant for his input. If necessary, additional information is also obtained from various sources. A detailed submission containing all information, including comments/objections received, is compiled by the investigating officer and presented to the Commission. The Commission then considers the merit of the application based on customs tariff policy and makes a decision to support or reject the application. A Report containing the findings and recommendations of the Commission is then compiled and submitted to the Minister of Trade and Industry for approval. If the Minister approves, the Minister of Finance is requested to implement the Commission's recommendations by amending the Customs and Excise Act, 1964.
  How long does it take for an application for changes to customs duties to be finalised after handing it in?
  The time required to finalise an application varies from case to case but in general published applications for a reduction in the rate of duty or rebate of the duty take four to six months to be completed and applications for an increase in the duty takes six to twelve months to be finalised.
  What are the criteria used when an application for a reduction in the duty is considered?
  In terms of the customs tariff policy reduction in the rate of duty on an imported product is considered favourably when the product or suitable substitute product is not manufactured in the SACU and the rate of duty is not justified for the sake of encouraging and fostering a specific industry.