New Customs Act registration to begin early next year

Uncertainty around
the practical
implications of the
implementation
of the New Customs Act
Programme (NCAP) has
created a high level of
insecurity in the industry,
but SA Revenue Service
Customs has committed
to proactive engagement
to ensure successful
implementation for the
mutual benefit of all parties.
“The objective of NCAP is
to establish a
sound, clear
and flexible
logistical
and legal
framework.
The idea is
to modernise
the customs
systems to
facilitate
legitimate
trade and
tourism, to
protect the
supply chain
and give
effect to the World Customs
Organisation’s international
instruments like the revised
Kyoto convention which
serves as a blueprint for
customs,” chief officer
Customs & Excise, Jed
Michaletos, told FTW.
Due to the size and scale
of the programme it has
been broken down into more
manageable chunks. “We
have identified seven phases
and are currently busy with
the first three.
“Phase one involves
registration, licensing
and accreditation (RLA)
and we’re looking to start
implementation towards the
end of the first quarter of
2017.”
Phase two relates to
reporting of conveyances
and goods
(RCG) while
the third
phase is the
declaration
processing
system to be
followed by
the Penalties
and Duty Act,
the remaining
chapters of
the CCA, the
Custom Duty
Act and the
Excise Act.
“We’re busy
with the rewrite of the
Excise Act – and a final
meeting on the rules for
the Customs Act was held
recently.
“Many people ask us
when we’re going to start
implementing the new
Customs Act – and the
reality is we already are in
many aspects. The recently
implemented manifest
processing and release
(MPR) is one of the building
blocks for RCG. Next
we’ll implement a module
to improve provisional
payments. Again a building
block for NCAP.”
According to Michaletos,
there is a lot of information
available – on the website as
a starting point. “But we do
acknowledge that we need to
do more.
“There’s a huge level
of complexity and
interconnectivity required of
customs in the 21st century.
We don’t want to hamper
trade, we want to work with
trade so that whatever we
implement for City Deep, for
example, will work.”
Ultimately the goal of the
Customs Act is to balance
customs control with the
benefits of legitimate trade.
“We are always trying
to find that balance and
we believe that the major
programmes on which
we must deliver in the
next couple of years – the
likes of NCAP and the
full authorised economic
operator – will have a
significant impact on
customs and business.”
INSERT
Ultimately the goal
of the Customs Act is
to balance customs
control with the
benefits of legitimate
trade.
– Jed Michaletos
CAPTION
Sars’ Jed Michaletos (right) in conversation with JCCI’s Pat
Corbin at the recent FTW/JCCI breakfast seminar.