Services (SARS) and Chinese Customs
22 September 2006
The Commissioner of SARS, Mr Pravin Gordhan, and the Minister of Customs of
the People's Republic of China (PRC), Mr MU Xinsheng, today signed a Memorandum
of Co-operation and Agreed Minutes, aimed at strengthening bilateral
co-operation between the two Customs administrations.
The Governments of the Republic of South Africa and the PRC have also
entered into a bilateral agreement on Mutual Administrative Assistance in
Customs Matters. The agreements were welcomed by the Deputy Minister of
Finance, Mr Jabu Moleketi and the Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Liu
Guijin.
Minister Mu and his delegation are visiting South Africa with the intention
of consolidating the strong relations that already exist between the two
countries.
Objectives for both countries include:
* strengthening the relationship between SARS and GACC (The General
Administration of Chinese Customs)
* focus on practical measures to improve the management of international trade
between South African and the PRC
The countries have also agreed to a pilot project to manage the trade
between South Africa and the PRC. This will entail the advance electronic
submission of Customs data and will allow for the joint detection of high
risk.
The bilateral Customs agreement will create a stronger legal basis for
Customs co-operation in the administration of bilateral trade. It will also
support the Memorandum of Understanding on the importation of textile and
clothing that was signed between the two countries.
The PRC is one of South Africa's largest trading partners, being the 8th
largest destination for South African exports (which amounted to R6,85 billion)
and the 2nd largest source of South African imports (R23,02 billion) in
2005.
While South African exports mostly raw materials such as aluminium, platinum
and chrome to the PRC, it imports processed goods such as electronics,
machinery, clothing, textiles and footwear.
The visit by the PRC delegation is intended not only to strengthen the
relationship between SARS and the General Administration of Customs (GACC) of
the PRC, but also to focus on practical measures to improve the management of
bilateral trade.
The parties have stressed the importance of close collaboration on World
Customs Organisation (WCO) and international customs matters. It is also
intended to reach agreement on a pilot project in support of the World Customs
Organisation's SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global
Trade.
Issued by: South African Revenue Services
22 September 2006
Source: South African Revenue Services (http://www.sars.gov.za)
