SARS seeks public comments on amendments to bonded bunker fuel storage regulations

The South African Revenue Services (SARS) recently invited the public to comment on its latest proposed amendments to regulations regarding the storage of bonded bunker fuels.

The amendments pertain to the rules under sections 21 and 60 of Customs and Excise Act 1964, relating to the creation of a new special customs and excise warehousing type for imported bunker fuel.

SARS posted the draft on its website on 6 August, asking the public to submit their comments by 20 August. 

This was the third round the draft amendments was published after being reviewed following extensive public comments were received and considered from the second round, which was published on 19 April. 

SARS said the approach in the third draft of the rules now accommodates a wider range of fuels on land, and the new warehouse type is for purposes of “bonded fuel goods”, namely a “land-based bonded fuel goods special storage warehouse” (landbased SOS) and a “sea-based bonded fuel goods special storage warehouse” (seabased SOS).

Last year, Manifold Times reported SARS confirming that several vessels were detained in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, 91 of 1964.

SARS viewed that the detention is lawful and, as the investigation is ongoing, no decision to seize such vessels has been taken.

ENGINE previously reported SARS detaining five bunker barges at the Algoa Bay anchorage by Port Elizabeth over alleged illegal bunker operations.

ENGINE then reported ships sailing by Algoa Bay are forced to seek bunkers elsewhere as bunker operations remain suspended.

Related: ENGINE: Algoa Bay bunkering at a standstill as authority detains barges – sources
Related: South African Revenue Service issues media statement on detention of bunkering vessels
Related: ENGINE: Algoa Bay closure spurs surge in bunker calls at nearby ports

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Bernd Bölscher
Published: 16 August, 2024