Forfeiture is a draconian provision that the customs division of the South African Revenue Service (“SARS”) is now almost always imposing as a penalty where SARS deems goods to have been irregularly dealt with, i.e. where SARS deems goods to have been dealt with contrary to the provisions of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964 as amended (“the Act”) .
We live in a fast-evolving society, where technological advancements have been exponential. Such advancements result in significantly transformed or developed products which are vastly different to earlier versions. These advancements are not always catered for by the Harmonised System Nomenclature ("HS") and its corresponding Explanatory Notes ("EN"), which often need to be amended to provide for new or advanced products.
The South African Revenue Service (“SARS”) plays an essential and indispensable role in the functioning of the South African economy.
The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (“GATT”), established in 1947, was a multilateral agreement aimed at reducing or eliminating trade barriers, thus promoting international trade.
The movement of cargo across the borders of South Africa has always been closely monitored by the South African Revenue Service (“SARS”). This is even more so where the cargo in question is bonded and/or excisable.
Shepstone & Wylie (S&W) will not change its banking details. Any communication you receive stating we have done so will be false - please contact us immediately.
If you bank with Standard Bank, Nedbank, Investec, FNB or Absa Bank you are encouraged to pay us using the bank approved beneficiary: Shepstone and Wylie Attorneys.
If you don’t use the bank approved beneficiary option, you must always call us to verify our banking details before making any payment.
