Tag: customs duty
SARS increases customs duties for online retail orders
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) increases customs duties for online retail orders as part of a broader strategy to promote local businesses and address global supply chain imbalances. The clothing and textile industry has faced widescale criticism for controversial environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. South African consumers may imagine themselves to be far from the hub of these issues. However, we are all participants in the global supply and demand for fashion.
The state should not be increasing the price of goods
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) announced that it will impose a 45% import tax on goods that cost R500 or less, imported from China through online retailers such as Shein and Temu. Unions and businesses praise this as a ‘levelling of the playing field’, but for the consumer it simply translates to higher prices.
Budget 2024 avoids direct tax increases
Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana delivered his Budget Speech 2024 to Parliament and the nation on 21 February 2024. A key announcement was that tax rates will not be increased in 2024/2025, as previously signalled by the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) 2023, to generate the extra R15 billion needed in revenue.
Special Economic Zones need to all be more special
You don’t need to be a Nobel economics laureate to know that with the world’s highest rate of unemployment, South Africa needs to attract a lot more job-creating investments. One of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s (DTIC’s) flagship programmes is the Special Economic Zones (SEZs), a new iteration of what we used to call Industrial Development Zones (IDZs).
COVID-19 and counterfeit goods: criminals exploiting a health crisis?
During the global COVID-19 pandemic, governments around the world implemented national lockdowns to contain the spread of the virus. As a result, borders were closed to passengers but specified cargo and retail goods for certain essential products and supplies were permitted.
Export taxes – do they make sense for South Africa?
South African businesses involved in cross-border trading need to be aware of potential export taxes on the horizon. Export restrictions are on the rise, with export taxes becoming more prevalent. It’s important to note that the South African Customs Act has, for the first time, been amended to deal with export taxes.
Treasury’s Special Budget is up against significant challenges
On Wednesday, 24 June, Minister Mboweni will table a Special Adjustment Budget. This is an extraordinary event, precipitated by the effect of the COVID-19 outbreak that has caused so many deaths and ravaged great parts of the economy.
