On May 3, the World Trade Organisa- tion (WTO) announced the launch of its new trade monitoring database.

The database provides detailed information on trade measures implemented by WTO members and observers since October 2008. The trade policy data contained in the database is taken from the regular trade monitoring reports prepared by the WTO secretariat. The information is submitted to the relevant WTO member for confirmation; where it is not not confirmed, this is indicated in the database.

According to the WTO, the database will be updated each time a new trade monitoring report has been discussed by WTO members. The most recent update was completed on October 15, 2012, and the WTO expects the next update at the end of July. The information contained in the database can be searched and dis- played in a number of ways, including interval (start and end date) implementing country, country affected, type of measure (import, export, trade remedies and other) and products affected (tariff chapters 1 to 97).

Plain Tobacco Packing Dispute
The WTO announced on May 3 that Cuba had notified the WTO secretariat of a request for consultations with Australia on the Australian Tobacco Plain Packaging Act of 2011, which regulates the appearance and form of retail packaging of cigars, cigarettes and other tobacco products.

According to the WTO, the request for consultations formally initiates a dispute in the WTO. Consultations give the parties an opportunity to discuss the matter and to find a satisfactory solution without proceeding further with litigation. After 60 days, if consultations have failed to resolve the dispute, the complainant, in this instance Cuba, may request adjudication by a panel.

New WTO Head
At an informal meeting of the WTO heads of delegation, held on May 8, the three facilitators in the selection of the next WTO director-general named Roberto Carvalho de Azevêdo, of Brazil, as the preferred candidate. They suggested that WTO members approve Azevêdo’s appointment as director-general at the general council meeting scheduled to be held on May 14.

Polytetrafluoroethylene Tape Duty Increase
On May 10, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) published a notice pertaining to an increase in the ‘general’ rate of customs duty on polytetrafluoroethylene tape, classifiable under 3920.99.25, from 10% ad valorem to 20% ad valorem. The European Union, European Free Trade Association and the Southern African Development Community rates of customs duty remain unchanged.

The tariff application that resulted in the tariff amendment was published by the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) on December 21, 2012, with comment due by January 25. It took 140 days (slightly less than five months) to complete the process.

The application was lodged by RIC Manufacturing, which provided numerous reasons for the application, including the fact that the WTO bound rate of 20% ad valorem is required to curb the flood of cheap imports into the Southern African Customs Union region to ensure it retains this industry and to afford the industry a chance to grow.

An increase in the price of the manufactured product is now expected as a result, since the applicant indicated that it “needs to increase its selling price to recover production costs”.

PVC Dumping Duty Extended
On May 10, Itac published its final determination in respect of the sunset review of the antidumping duties on plates and sheets, film, foil and strip of polymers of vinyl chloride, classifiable under tariff subheading 3920.49, originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China and Chinese Taipei (Taiwan).

The investigation was initiated on September 21, 2012, and the due date for comment was 1 November 2012. However, none of the exporters responded. It took 231 days (slightly less than eight months) to complete the review.

The rate of anti- dumping duties will be extended for a further five years at a rate of duty of 32.7% for China and 22.6% for Chinese Taipei.

Refund Application
On May 10, Sars informed of the amendment to the rules of Section 76 of the Customs and Excise Act for the purpose of the refund application contemplated in Section 76(4) of the Act. It also introduced Form CR1 (General Application for Customs Refund: Voucher of Correction Submission of Documents in terms of Rule 76.04).

Unknown Importer and Exporter
On May 10, Sars informed of the amend- ment to Rule 59A.03(1)(a), giving effect to risk-based use of temporary registration code (unknown importer and exporter) 70707070. It is understood that the value of consignments permitted under this code has been increased from R20 000 to R50 000, either one-off or over three consignments.

Customs Declaration Form
On May 10, Sars published for comment a draft rule amendment to the Customs and Excise Act relating to the Customs Declaration Form (CD1). Comment is due by May 31. Essentially, the amendment proposes that “instead of any SAD form, form CD1 must be used for manual declarations and any other purpose code for excisable goods published on the Sars website”.

Ropes and Cables Interim Review
Comments are due by May 27 in respect of the initiation of an interim review of the antidumping duties on ropes and cables, classifiable under tariff subheading 7312.10.40, manufactured by Casar Drahtseilwerk and originating in or imported from Germany.

Consumer Goods and Services
In the Government Gazette of May 9, the National Consumer Commission of the Department of Trade and Industry published The Consumer Goods and Services Industry Code of Conduct.

Comments are due by May 31.