Attempt to bar Dubious Imports

[LazyLion]

Efforts are underway to stop the import of unsafe and unauthorised products into South Africa, the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) said on Tuesday.

Working with law enforcement agencies, the NRCS had stepped up examination processes at ports of entry, said general manager Thomas Madzivhe.

"We have a pilot project on border enforcement, where we are currently strengthening our collaboration with Sars (the SA Revenue Service), border police and customs. We have gone to the extent of linking our IT systems," he said.

"We regulate a large scope, from disinfectants to cars, televisions and so on. We have been to Durban and Cape Town's big airports. We are now spreading to other provinces."

Tightening the borders would be an effective way to curb the permeation of dubious products into the country, said Madzivhe.

"That is one way where we can supplement our day-to-day market surveillance activities to deal with non-compliance. The role players [importers] will always find a way and until we know how, that is when we can catch and deal with the issue."

On Tuesday, the regulator announced a nation-wide recall of the new Dettol Disinfectant Liquid imported from the United Kingdom, and Domestos Extended Germ-Kill.


Source : Sapa /jm/hdw/clh/jk
Date : 23 Jul 2013 14:58

 

[LazyLion]

What this means in practice is that SARS and Customs impound more containers at the Port of Entry "for Inspection".

What they don't tell you though is that the container is pulled out of the line for a week, where it sits on the dockside in the impound... until the Police are ready to inspect it.
The actual inspection only takes 30 minutes, but the people whose goods are in the container have to pay Storage Charges for the week which can often amount to five or seven thousand rand.

It's a money making racket for somebody. I've had friends go out of business because they could not afford to pay those storage charges.
And as usualy there is nobody you can talk to or plead with. They just don't give a crap.
This happens to us about twice a year out of about 20 or 30 shipments.

 

[AstroTurf]

What this means in practice is that SARS and Customs impound more containers at the Port of Entry "for Inspection".

What they don't tell you though is that the container is pulled out of the line for a week, where it sits on the dockside in the impound... until the Police are ready to inspect it.
The actual inspection only takes 30 minutes, but the people whose goods are in the container have to pay Storage Charges for the week which can often amount to five or seven thousand rand.

It's a money making racket for somebody. I've had friends go out of business because they could not afford to pay those storage charges.
And as usualy there is nobody you can talk to or plead with. They just don't give a crap.
This happens to us about twice a year out of about 20 or 30 shipments.

Yep, we have the same issues from time to time.

Found the solution is to keep ridiculously large amounts of stock and parts for anything not locally made but doubt all companies can do the same.
At least as a positive this has been saving us a bit with the current exchange.

 

[Paul Hjul]

Its protectionism plain and simple.

 

[Haldex]

It's about time, way too many grey products coming in, things that's already available here.
Even food products.

 

[Paul Hjul]

O look the moronic troll wants to impose tolls on imports

No you dip this doesn't stop grey imports which "meet" some dubious standards inspection nonsense it simply provides an incentive to bribe law enforcement and encourages criminals and politicians to take control of import industries as ordinary businesses are taxed out of existence by red tape, extortion and general crap.

O also if the practice is done wrong and SA gets caught with its pants at its ankles we have to deal with the WTO.

 

[Fudzy]

Wish they focused on previously owned dubious items leaving the country.

 

[Grant]

Is this going to include all countries of origin whose name begins with
ch
and ends with
na

 

[Paul Hjul]

O of course it will. All imports will be open to negotiations between the respective governments. Beijing is very good at making sure that its provinces adhere to regulated interprovince trade