South African Request for the Creation of a temporary rebate for bulk white chocolate

By Tonderai Chibasa | Oct 24, 2021

On 22 October 2021, ITAC initiated an investigation for the creation of a temporary rebate on bulk white chocolate classifiable under tariff subheading 1704.90. The applicant, Kees Beyers, provided the following reasons as motivation:

• Bulk white chocolate is mainly produced in SACU for own use by large chocolate producers. Production of industrial bulk white chocolate for resell is minimum to non-existent.
• Bulk white chocolate imported from the EU attracts a 25% customs duty whereas the retail ready chocolate products originating from the EU does not attract any duty due to the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). This has been a significant challenge since the EU manufacturers do not pay duties on raw materials and final products.

ITAC has initiated this investigation when there are local producers with sufficient capacity to meet demand. Now local producers have to provide evidence that white chocolates are available in SACU.

If you are a producer of bulk white chocolates and you are impacted by this investigation, please contact us at partners@sideraconsult.com and info@xa.co.za

Interested parties have until 19 November to respond.