“User” definition of section 75(1C)(b) of Customs Act

(b)     For the purposes of this section and the said item of Schedule No. 6 –

(i)      “user” shall mean, according to the context and subject to any note in the said Schedule No. 6, the person registered for a diesel refund as contemplated in subsection (1A);

[Subparagraph (i) substituted by section 130 of Act 60 of 2001 and section 95 of Act 35 of 2007]

Subsections (1C)(c) to (22) of section 75 of Customs Act

(c)    

(i)      The refunds specified in the said item of Schedule No. 6 shall apply to fuel purchased on or after the date the amendment contemplated in section 75(15) comes into operation.

[Subparagraph (i) substituted by section 95 of Act 35 of 2007]

(ii)     Any such fuel purchased shall be deemed to have been used in the order of the dates of such purchases.

(iii)    The extent of the refund referred to in subparagraph (i) shall be the rate of such refund specified in such item of Schedule No. 6 in operation on the date of issue of the invoice concerned, referred to in subsection (4A)(c).

[Subparagraph (iii) substituted by section 95 of Act 35 of 2007]

(iv)    If the extent of such refund is amended and for any reason any liability to repay any refund of such levies in respect of any quantity of fuel which the user may incur in respect of the use of such fuel cannot be assessed or the amount of the levies refundable to such user in terms of any item of Schedule No. 6 cannot be calculated on any quantity of such fuel purchased by such user before such amendment, the quantity of such fuel in respect of any refund which the user is liable to repay, or the quantity used in accordance with any such item for the calculation of the amount refundable to such user, shall be determined by the Commissioner according to the information at his disposal.

[Subparagraph (iv) substituted by section 95 of Act 35 of 2007]

(d)    

(i)      Any user who has been granted such a provisional refund shall, in relation to the purchase and use by him of the fuel concerned, furnish the Commissioner at such times as may be prescribed in the notes to item 670.04, with a declaration in such form and supported by such documents as may be prescribed in such notes.

[Subparagraph (i) substituted by section 95 of Act 35 of 2007]

(ii)     Any user who fails to comply with the provisions of subparagraph (i) shall be deemed to have used such fuel for a purpose or use other than the purpose or use stated in the said item of Schedule No. 6 and the amount of such refund shall be deemed to be a refund not duly payable to such user and shall be recoverable in terms of section 76A.

[Subparagraph (ii) substituted by section 95 of Act 35 of 2007]

(e)    

(i)      If the amount of the provisional refund paid to the user concerned was not duly refundable or exceeds the amount refundable in terms of the said item of Schedule No. 6, any such amount or the excess shall be paid by that user upon demand by the Commissioner.

[Subparagraph (i) substituted by section 95 of Act 35 of 2007]

(ii)     If that user fails to pay the amount demanded in terms of subparagraph (i), such amount shall be recoverable in terms of section 76A.

[Subsection (1C) added by section 50 of Act 19 of 2001]

(1D)  The provisions of subsections (1A)(c), (1B)(b), (1B)(c) and (1B)(e), shall only apply in respect of refunds paid by the Commissioner until the day before the levying of the Road Accident Fund levy in terms of this Act comes into operation.

[Subsection (1D) inserted by section 92 of Act 31 of 2005 effective on 1 April 2006]

(2)     A rebate of duty in respect of any goods described in Schedule No. 3 shall be allowed –

(a)     only in respect of goods entered for use in the production or manufacture of goods in the industry and for the purpose specified in the item of the said Schedule in which those goods are specified;

(b)     only in respect of goods entered for use –

(i)      in a factory which is registered under the Machinery and Occupational Safety Act, 1983 (Act No. 6 of 1983).

[Subparagraph (i) substituted by section 29 of Act 59 of 1990]

(ii)     in a mine or works as defined in section 1 of the Mines and Works Act, 1956 (Act No. 27 of 1956); or

(iii)    elsewhere in any other activity which the Commissioner may approve for the purposes of this subparagraph;

[Subparagraph (iii) substituted by section 53 of Act 45 of 1995]

 [Paragraph (b) substituted by section 19 of Act 86 of 1982 and section 9 of Act 52 of 1986]

(c)     only in respect of goods entered for use in such industry in a factory, mine, works or activity which complies with such requirements in respect of quantity of material used or quantity of goods produced or manufactured as the Commissioner may impose in consultation with the International Trade Administration Commission.

[Paragraph (c) substituted by section 19 of Act 86 of 1982, section 9 of Act 52 of 1986 and section 146 of Act 45 of 2003]

(3)     ……….

[Subsection (3) deleted by section 19 of Act 86 of 1982]

(4)     Notwithstanding the provisions of section 56, 56A or 57, a rebate of any anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or safeguard duty specified in Schedule No. 2 in respect of any goods entered under the provisions of any item specified in Schedule No. 3 or 4 may be granted if it is expressly stated in such item of Schedule No. 3 or 4 that the extent of the rebate includes such anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or safeguard duty.

[Subsection (4) substituted by section 27 of Act 112 of 1977 and section 13 of Act 61 of 1992]

(4A) 

(a)     Any person who registers for a diesel refund as contemplated in subsection (1) shall be deemed to have registered in addition for the purposes of section 59A.

[Paragraph (a) substituted by section 130 of Act 60 of 2001]

(b)    

(i)      Any return for refund of such levies shall be in such form and shall declare such particulars and shall be for such quantities and for such periods as may be determined by the Commissioner.

 (ii)    Any return for refund of such levies shall be submitted within two years from the date of purchase of such fuel.

[Paragraph (b) substituted by section 130 of Act 60 of 2001]

(c)     Any seller of such fuel shall furnish such user with an original invoice reflecting the particulars, and shall keep a copy of such invoice for such time, as may be prescribed in the notes to item 670.04.

[Paragraph (c) substituted by section 70 of Act 20 of 2006]

(d)     Any user shall complete and keep such books, accounts and documents and furnish to the Commissioner at such times such particulars of the purchase, use or storage of such fuel or any other particulars as may be prescribed in the notes to item 670.04.

[Paragraph (d) substituted by section 70 of Act 20 of 2006]

(e)    

(i)      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Act contained, any user of distillate fuel who has been granted such refund and who fails to –

(aa)   keep any such invoice;

(bb)   complete and keep such books, accounts and documents; or

(cc)   forthwith furnish any officer at such officer’s request with such invoice and the books, accounts and documents required to be completed and kept,

shall, in addition to any other liability incurred in terms of this Act in respect of the fuel to which such failure relates, be liable, as the Commissioner may determine, for payment of an amount not exceeding the levies refunded on such fuel, unless it is shown by the user within 30 days of the date of any demand for payment of such amount in terms of this section that the fuel has been used in accordance with the provisions of the said item of Schedule No. 6.

[Subparagraph (i) amended by section 95 of Act 35 of 2007]

(ii)     Any amount for which any person is liable in terms of this section shall be payable upon demand by the Commissioner.

(f)     The Commissioner may, subject to review by the High Court –

(i)      refuse to register any applicant for registration as contemplated in subsection (1A)(b)(ii) or (4A)(a) if such applicant –

(aa)   has made a false or misleading statement with respect to any material fact or omits to state any material fact which was required to be stated in the application for registration;

(bb)   has contravened or failed to comply with the provisions of this Act or the Value-Added Tax Act 1991 (Act No. 89 of 1991);

(cc)   has been convicted of an offence under this Act, or the said Value-Added Tax Act; or

(dd)   has been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty;

(ii)     cancel, or suspend for such period as the Commissioner may determine such registration, if such person –

(aa)   could have been refused registration as contemplated in subparagraph (i);

(bb)   fails to complete, keep or furnish such accounts, books or documents or keep such invoice, as may be prescribed in the notes to item 670.04; or

[Item (bb) substituted by section 70 of Act 20 of 2006]

(cc)   fraudulently claims or receives any payment in respect of any refund provided for in this subsection and the said item of Schedule No. 6.

[Item (cc) substituted by section 95 of Act 35 of 2007]

(g)     For the purposes of the administration of the refunds of levies on distillate fuel as provided in this section and item 670.04 of Schedule No. 6 the Commissioner may, subject to the provisions of section 3(2), delegate by rule any of the Commissioner’s powers, duties or functions under this Act to any officer, including any officer employed in administering the provisions of the Value-Added Tax Act, 1991 (Act 89 of 1991).

[Paragraph (g) substituted by section 70 of Act 20 of 2006]

(h)    

(i)      Any person to whom a refund of levies has been granted in accordance with the provisions of this section and of item 670.04 of Schedule No. 6 who falsely applied for such refund or who uses or disposes of such fuel contrary to such provisions, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding R100 000 or double the amount of any levies refunded, whichever is the greater, or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 10 years, or to both such fine and imprisonment and the fuel in respect of which the offence has been committed shall be liable to forfeiture under this Act.

[Subparagraph (i) substituted by section 70 of Act 20 of 2006]

(ii)     For the purposes of paragraph (i), where any person falsely applies for such refund without having purchased such fuel, any forfeiture amount shall be calculated on the basis of the usual retail price thereof on the date the false application was submitted or on the date of assessment of such amount, whichever is the greater.

[Paragraph (h) substituted by section 130 of Act 60 of 2001]

(i)      The Commissioner may by rule prescribe any form or procedure or condition reasonably required for the effective administration of such refunds.

[Subsection (4A) inserted by section 10 of Act 110 of 1979, substituted by section 6 of Act 89 of 1984, amended by section 11 of Act 101 of 1985, substituted by section 23 of Act 84 of 1987, amended by section 53 of Act 45 of 1995 and substituted by section 50 of Act 19 of 2001]

(5)    

(a)            

(i)      In addition to any liability for duty incurred by any person under any other provision of this Act, the person who enters any goods for use by him under rebate of duty or any person on whose behalf any goods are so entered, shall, subject to the provisions of subsections (6) and (18) of this section and section 45, be liable for the duty on all goods so entered which have not been used or which have been disposed of otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this section and of the item under which they were so entered, as if such rebate of duty did not apply to such goods and such person shall pay such duty on demand by the Commissioner: Provided that the Commissioner may, if such goods were used in accordance with any other item relating to rebate of duty, accept duty on such goods as if they were entered under such other item: Provided further that the Commissioner may permit any duty paid on entry of such goods under rebate to be deducted from any duty for which any person becomes liable in terms of this paragraph.

[Subparagraph (i) amended by section 53 of Act 45 of 1995]

(ii)     The Controller may at any time take stock of goods entered for home consumption and stored on any premises registered by virtue of subsection (10), and duty shall, subject to the provisions of subparagraph (i), be paid forthwith on demand upon any deficiency detected.

[Subparagraph (ii) added by section 10 of Act 110 of 1979]

(iii)    If the stock is found to be greater than the quantity which should be on such premises, the excess shall be debited to stock.

[Subparagraph (iii) added by section 10 of Act 110 of 1979]

[Paragraph (a) substituted by section 13 of Act 95 of 1965 and amended by section 9 of Act 71 of 1975]

(b)     Any person to whom any distillate fuel or residual fuel oil has been supplied from stocks which have been entered under rebate of duty for a purpose stated in the item under which such distillate fuel or residual fuel oil was so entered, and who applies such distillate fuel or residual fuel oil or any portion thereof for any other purpose, shall be guilty of an offence and shall, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), be liable for the duty to the extent of the rebate allowed on entry for home consumption of such distillate fuel or residual fuel oil on the full quantity of the distillate fuel or residual fuel oil so supplied to him or on such portion thereof as the Commissioner may determine: Provided that if the duty in question has after such entry under rebate been increased, the extent of such rebate shall be deemed to be –

(a)     the difference between the duty actually paid on entry for home consumption and such increased duty; or

(b)     such increased duty if no duty was paid on entry for home consumption.

[Paragraph (b) amended by section 27 of Act 112 of 1977, section 6 of Act 89 of 1984, section 9 of Act 52 of 1986 and section 53 of Act 45 of 1995]

(6)    

(a)     The Commissioner may, on such conditions as he may impose, permit any person who has entered any goods under rebate of duty under this section to use or dispose of any such goods otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this section and of the item under which such goods were so entered, or to use or dispose of any such goods in accordance with the provisions of any other item to which this section relates, and such person shall thereupon be liable for duty on such goods as if such rebate of duty did not apply or as if they were entered under such other item to which this section relates, as the case may be, and such person shall pay such duty on demand by the Commissioner: Provided that, in respect of any such goods which are specified in any item of Schedule No. 3, 4 or 6 the Commissioner may, subject to the provisions of or the notes applicable to the item in which such goods are specified and to any conditions which he may impose in each case, exempt any such goods from the whole or any portion of the duty payable thereon under this subsection on the ground of the period or the extent of use in accordance with the provisions of the item under which such goods were entered, or on any other ground which he considers reasonable.

[Paragraph (a) substituted by section 24 of Act 105 of 1969 and amended by section 29 of Act 59 of 1990]

(b)     Any duty paid on any such goods on first entry thereof under rebate of duty shall be deemed to have been paid in respect of any duty payable in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (a) in respect of such goods.

(7)     No drawback or refund shall be paid in respect of any goods specified in any item of Schedule No. 5 or 6 if such goods have been used or disposed of otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this section and the item in question or if such provisions have not been complied with in respect of such goods: Provided that the Commissioner may, in respect of any class or kind of goods specified in any item of Part 1 of Schedule No. 5 and used in the manufacture of any goods marketed in the Republic, pay any drawback to the extent stated in such item, where goods of comparable class, kind, quality and quantity and manufactured or produced in the Republic have been used in the manufacture of any goods exported.

[Subsection (7) substituted by section 24 of Act 105 of 1969 and amended by section 8 of Act 93 of 1978 and section 29 of Act 59 of 1990]

(7A)  Any person to whom a refund of levies has been granted on any distillate fuel in terms of the provisions of item 670.04 of Schedule No. 6, as the case may be, and who has disposed of such fuel or has applied such fuel or any portion thereof for any purpose or use otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of such items and the use declared in the relevant application for registration shall pay on demand to the Commissioner the full amount of any refund granted to him in respect of such fuel or such portion thereof, failing which such amount or such portion shall be recoverable as if it were a duty payable under this Act.

[Subsection (7A) inserted by section 23 of Act 84 of 1987 and substituted by section 7 of Act 98 of 1993, section 50 of Act 19 of 2001 and section 70 of Act 20 of 2006]

(8)     To the extent that any goods, classifiable under any tariff heading or subheading or any tariff item or subitem of Schedule No. 1 that is expressly quoted in any item of Schedule No. 3, 4, 5 or 6, are specified in any item of Schedule No. 3, 4, 5 or 6, such item shall be deemed to include only such goods classifiable under such tariff heading or subheading or tariff item or subitem.

[Subsection (8) substituted by section 24 of Act 105 of 1969, section 29 of Act 59 of 1990 and section 130 of Act 60 of 2001]

(9)     Any goods entered for use under rebate of duty under this section shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to be entered for home consumption, but no entry in respect of any such goods described in Schedule No. 3 or 4 shall be valid unless the number of the tariff heading and subheading under which such goods are classified in Schedule No. 1 and the number of the item of Schedule No. 3 or 4 in which the said goods are specified are both declared on such entry and the industry in which and the purpose for which such goods are to be used, as specified in the said item, are declared on such entry: Provided that the Commissioner may exempt entries in respect of any class or kind of goods from any or all of the requirements of this subsection.

[Subsection (9) substituted by section 13 of Act 95 of 1965 and section 24 of Act 105 of 1969 and amended by section 29 of Act 59 of 1990]

(10)  

(a)     No goods may be entered or acquired under rebate of duty until the person so entering or acquiring them has furnished such security as the Commissioner may require and has complied with such other conditions (including registration with the Commissioner of his premises and plant) as may be prescribed by rule or in the notes to Schedule No. 3, 4, or 6 in respect of any goods specified in any item of such Schedule: Provided that the Commissioner may, subject to such conditions as he may in each case impose, exempt with or without retrospective effect, any such person from the provisions of this subsection.

[Paragraph (a) amended by section 29 of Act 59 of 1990 and section 53 of Act 45 of 1995]

(b)     Application for such exemption for the purpose of applying for a refund of duty shall be made to the Commissioner within six months from any date specified in section 40(3)(b)(i), (ii) or (iii), as the circumstances may require.

[Paragraph (b) added by section 23 of Act 84 of 1987]

(c)     For the purposes of the application of section 40(3) to any such exemption –

(i)      any bill of entry passed in relation to goods in respect of which exemption is granted under paragraph (a) of this subsection, shall be deemed to have been passed in error by reason of duty having been paid on goods intended for purposes or use under rebate of duty under section 75;

(ii)     the goods concerned shall be deemed to have qualified at the time duty was paid on such goods in all respects for rebate; and

(iii)    the duty paid on the goods concerned, shall be deemed to have been paid on the date on which the exemption referred to in subparagraph (i) was granted.

[Paragraph (c) added by section 23 of Act 84 of 1987]

[Subsection (10) substituted by section 13 of Act 95 of 1965 and section 24 of Act 105 of 1969 and amended by section 23 of Act 84 of 1987]

(11)   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Act contained, the Commissioner may, in respect of Schedule No. 5 or 6, for the purpose of calculating the amount of duty refundable on any imported or excisable goods or fuel levy goods used in the manufacture, reconditioning, mixing or blending of any goods exported or marketed in the Republic, determine the quantity of such exported goods or such goods marketed in the Republic which shall be deemed to have been produced, reconditioned, mixed or blended from a given quantity of such imported or excisable goods or fuel levy goods or the quantity of such imported or excisable goods or fuel levy goods which shall be deemed to have been used in the production, reconditioning, mixing or blending of a given quantity of such exported goods or such goods marketed in the Republic.

[Subsection (11) substituted by section 13 of Act 95 of 1965, section 24 of Act 105 of 1969, section 23 of Act 84 of 1987 and section 29 of Act 59 of 1990]

(11A)    

(a)     Where an applicant for a refund of duty in terms of an item of Schedule No. 6, which relates to circumstances other than those referred to in subsection (11), if required to prove payment of duty on the goods in respect of which the refund is claimed in terms of any Note to such item, is unable to prove such payment by production of an entry or deemed entry for home consumption as provided in this Act, the Commissioner may, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act, allow such refund

(i)      on the basis of any evidence produced by such applicant; and

(ii)     by taking into account any other evidence contained in accounts or invoices or other documents relating to the removal of the goods concerned from any customs and excise manufacturing or storage warehouse, any other records required to be kept in terms of the Act or any other facts that may be available or requested by the Commissioner,

if, in the relevant circumstances of each case, the Commissioner considers that such evidence is reasonably sufficient to allow such refund: Provided that where it is so specified in the relevant item of Schedule No. 6, the duty refundable shall be calculated at the lowest rate operative during any period not exceeding 12 months prior to the date the goods were placed under the procedure specified in such item.

(b)     Any such refund provision in Schedule No. 6 may include –

(i)      goods found to be off-specification or which have become contaminated or have undergone post-manufacturing deterioration and are returned to a customs and excise manufacturing warehouse for reprocessing or destruction; and

(ii)     any fuel levy goods removed to another country in the common customs area or for export or to a customs and excise storage warehouse.

(c)     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this section or in any other provision of this Act contained but subject to the provisions of this subsection, any amount duly refundable in terms of any item of Schedule No. 6 may be an amount that may be set off, if such item so provides, by a licensee of a customs and excise warehouse in terms of section 77 where the goods have been entered or are deemed to have been entered for home consumption and payment of duty in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

[Paragraph (c) added by section 146 of Act 45 of 2003]

[Subsection (11A) inserted by section 109 of Act 74 of 2002]

(12)   No goods manufactured from excisable goods under rebate of duty specified in any item of Schedule No. 6 shall be used in the place of such excisable goods in the manufacture of any other goods if a rebate of duty to a lesser extent has been specified in any item of the said Schedule in respect of such excisable goods when used in the manufacture of such other goods.

(13)   ……….

[Subsection (13) substituted by section 53 of Act 45 of 1995 and deleted by section 92 of Act 31 of 2005]

(14)   No refund or drawback of duty shall be paid by the Commissioner under the provisions of this section unless an application therefor, duly completed and supported by the necessary documents and other evidence to prove that such refund or drawback is due under this section is received by the Controller –

(a)     in respect of any refund referred to in subsection (1A) within the period contemplated in subsection (4A)(b)(ii); or

[Paragraph (a) substituted by section 99 of Act 60 of 2008]

(b)     in any other case, within any of the relevant periods specified in section 76B:

[Paragraph (b) substituted by section 99 of Act 60 of 2008]

Provided that any refund or drawback shall be limited as contemplated in section 76B.

[Subsection (14) amended by section 10 of Act 57 of 1966, section 19 of Act 86 of 1982, section 23 of Act 84 of 1987, section 53 of Act 45 of 1995, section 50 of Act 19 of 2001 and section 130 of Act 60 of 2001 and substituted by section 27 of Act 34 of 2004]

(14A)      ………..

[Subsection (14A) inserted by section 6 of Act 89 of 1984, substituted by section 23 of Act 84 of 1987, amended by section 13 of Act 61 of 1992 and deleted by section 53 of Act 45 of 1995]

(14B)    

(a)     Any Minister, other than the Minister of Finance, any Director-General mentioned in the second column of Schedule 1 to the Public Service Act, 1994 (Proclamation No. 103 of 1994), and designated by such Minister, or any official of any institution involved, or the Commissioner, may, in respect of goods which may, in terms of any item of Schedule No. 3, 4, 5 or 6, be entered under rebate of duty or be subject to a drawback or a refund of duty, issue, subject to such conditions as such Minister, Director-General or official or the Commissioner may specify, with or without retrospective effect, a permit or certificate authorizing entry of those goods under rebate of duty, or authorizing a drawback or a refund of duty in accordance with the provisions of the item concerned, provided where the permit or certificate concerned is issued with retrospective effect, the provisions of such item and such conditions have been complied with.

[Paragraph (a) substituted by section 53 of Act 45 of 1995]

(b)     For the purposes of section 40(3) –

(i)      any bill of entry passed in relation to goods in respect of which a permit or certificate is issued under paragraph (a), shall be deemed to have been passed in error by reason of duty having been paid on goods intended for purposes or use under rebate of duty under this section;

(ii)     the goods in respect of which such a permit or certificate is issued, shall be deemed to have qualified at the time duty was paid on such goods, in all respects for rebate; and

(iii)    the duty paid on the goods concerned, shall be deemed to have been paid on the date on which the permit or certificate referred to in paragraph (a) was issued.

[Paragraph (b) substituted by section 53 of Act 45 of 1995]

(c)     Application for such permit or certificate shall be made to the Minister, Director-General or official of the institution referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection or the Commissioner within six months from any date specified in section 40(3)(b)(i), (ii) or (iii), as the circumstances may require.

(d)     Notwithstanding paragraphs (a), (b) and (c), any such refund or drawback shall be limited as contemplated in section 76B.

[Paragraph (d) added by section 27 of Act 34 of 2004]

[Subsection (14B) inserted by section 23 of Act 84 of 1987]

(15)  

(a)     The Minister may from time to time by notice in the Gazette

(i)      amend Schedule 3, 4, 5 or 6 –

(aa)   in order to give effect to any request by the Minister of Trade and Industry; or

(bb)   whenever he deems it expedient in the public interest to do so; or

(ii)     amend Schedule No. 5 or 6 to provide for a refund of fuel levy and the Road Accident Fund levy as contemplated in subsections (1A) and (4A).

(iii)    amend Schedule No. 4 or 5 in order to give effect to any agreement contemplated in section 49.

[Subparagraph (iii) added by section 99 of Act 60 of 2008]

[Paragraph (a) substituted by section 24 of Act 105 of 1969, section 29 of Act 59 of 1990, section 13 of Act 61 of 1992 and section 50 of Act 19 of 2001]

(aA)  The Minister may, whenever he deems it expedient in the public interest to do so –

(i)      by like notice amend any such Schedule with retrospective effect from such date as he may specify in that notice; or

(ii)     by like notice declare any amendment made under paragraph (a) to apply with retrospective effect from such date as he may specify in that notice.

[Paragraph (aA) inserted by section 10 of Act 110 of 1979 and substituted by section 23 of Act 84 of 1987]

(b)     An amendment made under paragraph (a) which repeals any existing provision in Schedule No. 5 or which excludes any goods from any existing provision of that Schedule, shall not apply in respect of goods which were imported prior to the date of the relevant notice in the Gazette, and an amendment made under the said paragraph which embodies any additional provision in that Schedule or applies any existing provision of that Schedule in respect of additional goods, shall not, except in so far as the Commissioner so directs and subject to such conditions as he may determine, apply in respect of goods which were imported prior to the date of the relevant notice in the Gazette.

[Paragraph (b) added by section 10 of Act 57 of 1966 and substituted by section 23 of Act 84 of 1987, section 50 of Act 19 of 2001 and section 70 of Act 20 of 2006]

(16)   The provisions of section 48(6) shall mutatis mutandis apply in respect of any amendment made under the provisions of subsection (15).

[Subsection (16) substituted by section 23 of Act 84 of 1987 and section 10 of Act 19 of 1994]

(17)   The Commissioner may refuse to accept an entry under rebate or an application for drawback or refund under any item of Schedule No. 3, 4, 5 or 6 from any person who has persistently contravened or failed to comply with the provisions of this Act or who has committed an offence referred to in section 80, 83, 84, 85 or 86 and he may cancel any registration under the provisions of this Act of such person or suspend any such registration for such period as he may deem fit.

[Subsection (17) substituted by section 8 of Act 85 of 1968, section 24 of Act 105 of 1969 and section 29 of Act 59 of 1990]

(18)   No rebate or refund of duty in respect of any loss or deficiency of any nature of any goods shall be allowed, except as provided for in any item of Schedule No. 4. 5 or 6 and the Notes thereto, but the Commissioner may allow the deduction from the dutiable quantity of the undermentioned goods of a quantity equal to the following percentage stated in each case –

(a)     in the case of unpacked spirits (ethyl alcohol), imported or manufactured in the Republic, received in and entered for use and used in such a customs and excise manufacturing warehouse for such purposes, and in accordance with such procedures as the Commissioner may prescribe by rule, 1,5 per cent of the quantity so entered;

[Paragraph (a) substituted by section 11 of Act 101 of 1985 and section 92 of Act 31 of 2005]

(b)     in the case of unpacked spirits, imported or manufactured in the Republic –

(i)      removed between such customs and excise warehouses and received in any such customs and excise warehouse and entered for such purposes and in accordance with such procedures as the Commissioner may prescribe by rule, 0,25 per cent of the quantity so removed; and

(ii)     received for such purposes in such customs and excise storage warehouse and entered for such purposes and in accordance with such procedures as the Commissioner may prescribe by rule, 0,25 per cent of the quantity so entered;

[Paragraph (b) substituted by section 92 of Act 31 of 2005]

(c)     ……….

[Paragraph (c) substituted by section 92 of Act 31 of 2005 and deleted by section 70 of Act 20 of 2006]

(d)    

(i)      in the case of imported crude petroleum naphtha for use in the refining of petroleum products or imported petrol, 0,25 per cent of the quantity landed and entered for storage in a customs and excise warehouse;

(ii)     in the case of imported petroleum naphtha entered for use as fuel in the manufacture of ammonia, 0,25 per cent of the quantity landed and entered for storage in a customs and excise warehouse;

(iii)    in the case of imported distillate fuel, 0,15 per cent of the quantity landed and entered for storage in a customs and excise warehouse;

[Paragraph (d) substituted by section 8 of Act 103 of 1972, section 11 of Act 101 of 1985, section 23 of Act 84 of 1987 and section 130 of Act 60 of 2001]

(e)    

(i)      in the case of petrol manufactured in the Republic, 0,25 per cent of any quantity entered for removal and removed from a customs and excise manufacturing warehouse;

(ii)     in the case of distillate fuel, unmarked illuminating kerosene or unmarked specified aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents manufactured in the Republic, 0,15 per cent of any quantity entered for removal and removed from a customs and excise manufacturing warehouse.

[Subparagraph (ii) substituted by section 70 of Act 20 of 2006]

[Paragraph (e) substituted by section 11 of Act 101 of 1985, section 53 of Act 45 of 1995 and section 130 of Act 60 of 2001]

(f)     ……….

[Paragraph (f) added by section 23 of Act 84 of 1987 and deleted by section 130 of Act 60 of 2001]

[Subsection (18) substituted by section 13 of Act 95 of 1965 and amended by section 24 of Act 105 of 1969, section 2 of Act 68 of 1973, section 13 of Act 68 of 1989,  section 29 of Act 59 of 1990, section 130 of Act 60 of 2001 and section 92 of Act 31 of 2005]

(19)   No person shall, without the permission of the Commissioner, divert any goods entered under rebate of duty under any item of Schedule No. 3, 4 or 6 or for export for the purpose of claiming a drawback or refund of duty under any item in Schedule No. 5 or 6 to a destination other than the destination declared on such entry or deliver such goods or cause such goods to be delivered in the Republic otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this Act and, in the case of goods entered under rebate of duty, otherwise than to the person who entered the goods or on whose behalf the goods were entered.

[Subsection (19) added by section 13 of Act 95 of 1965 and substituted by section 24 of Act 105 of 1969 and section 29 of Act 59 of 1990]

(20)   If any goods to which this section relates are used or disposed of, or dealt with or in, contrary to the provisions of this Act, the whole consignment entered or transferred for use in terms of the provisions of this section, of which such goods form part or formed part, or any goods manufactured therefrom, shall be liable to forfeiture.

[Subsection (20) added by section 8 of Act 85 of 1968]

(21)   Except with the permission of the Commissioner, which shall only be granted in circumstances which he on good cause shown considers to be reasonable and subject to such conditions as he may impose in each case, any goods entered under any item of Schedule No. 3, 4 or 6 for manufacturing purposes or such other purpose as may be specified in the notes to such item shall be used for the purpose specified in such item at the time of such entry, or such other purpose, within two years from the date of such entry.

[Subsection (21) added by section 8 of Act 85 of 1968 and substituted by section 24 of Act 105 of 1969, section 29 of Act 59 of 1990, section 53 of Act 45 of 1995 and section 92 of Act 31 of 2005]

(22)

(a)     Where any item provides for a rebate of duty in respect of imported goods destroyed and any waste or scrap remaining after destruction of such goods enter home consumption, the extent of rebate shall be reduced by the duty payable on such waste or scrap.

(b)     Such waste or scrap shall be deemed to have been imported at the time it is entered for home consumption and shall be liable to duty in that state.

[Subsection (22) added by section 99 of Act 60 of 2008]

Section 76 (Customs Act) – General refunds in respect of imported goods, excisable goods

76. General refunds in respect of imported goods, excisable goods and certain exported goods

 

(1)

(a)     No refund of any duty or other charge in respect of imported goods, excisable goods, surcharge goods or fuel levy goods, other than a refund provided for under section 75 or 77, shall be paid or granted except in accordance with the provisions of this section

(b)     Any refund of export duty in respect of goods specified in Part 6 of Schedule No. 1 shall be paid or granted in accordance with the provisions of this section.

[Subsection (1) substituted by section 54(a) of Act 45 of 1995 and by section 59(b) of Act 23 of 2020]

(2)     The Commissioner shall, subject to the provisions of subsection (4), consider any application for a refund or payment from any applicant who contends that he has paid any duty or other charge for which he was not liable or that he is entitled to any payment under this Act by reason of –

(a)     an error in determining an assessment or calculating the amount thereof;

(b)     the duty having been assessed on a value higher than the value for duty purposes;

(c)     a determination under section 47(9) or incorrect tariff classification;

(d)     the goods concerned having been damaged, destroyed or irrecoverably lost by circumstances beyond his control prior to the release thereof for home consumption, or in the case of goods destined for export, after the release thereof but prior to the departure of the goods from the Republic: Provided that, for purposes of this section, such circumstances exclude damage, destruction or loss of goods due to robbery or theft;

[Paragraph (d) substituted by section 17 of Act 33 of 2019 and amended by section 59(c) of Act 23 of 2020]

(e)     all or part of such goods having been shortlanded, shortshipped or shortpacked in the case of imported goods, or shortshipped or shortpacked in the case of goods exported;

[Paragraph (e) substituted by section 59(d) of Act 23 of 2020]

(f)     the substitution of any bill of entry in terms of section 40(3);

(g)     the duty having been reduced or withdrawn as provided for in section 48(2), (2A) or (4), 56(2), 56A(2) or 57(2); or

[Paragraph (g) substituted by section 5 of Act 105 of 1992 and by section 59(e) of Act 23 of 2020]

(h)     duty having been paid, notwithstanding the provisions of section 49(9), on any goods at the general rate of duty specified in respect thereof in any heading or subheading in Part 1 of Schedule No. 1 and proof is produced that the goods concerned qualify for a preferential rate of duty specified for such heading or subheading in the said Part 1 of the said Schedule No. 1.

[Paragraph (h) added by section 62 of Act 30 of 2000]

(3)     Except with the permission of the Commissioner, any application for a refund under this section shall not relate to more than one bill of entry or other document in respect of which the alleged overpayment was made.

(4)     No application for a refund or payment in terms of this section shall be considered by the Commissioner unless it is received by the Controller, duly completed and in the form as may be prescribed by rule and supported by the necessary documents and other evidence to prove that such refund or payment is due under this section –

(a)     within a period of two years from the date on which the charge to which the application relates was paid; or

(b)     in any other case within the relevant period specified in section 76B.

[Subsection (4) amended by section 54 of Act 45 of 1995 and substituted by section 28 of Act 34 of 2004]

(5)     If, after considering any application for a refund or payment in terms of this section, the Commissioner is satisfied that the applicant is entitled to any such refund or payment, the Commissioner may pay to the applicant the amount due to him: Provided that no refund shall be made under this section if, in the case of goods imported by post, the amount thereof is less than fifty cents or, in the case of goods imported in any other manner, less than five rand or, in the case of excisable goods manufactured in the Republic, less than two rand, unless the Commissioner is satisfied that exceptional circumstances exist which warrant such refund.

[Section 76 amended by section 9 of Act 85 of 1968, substituted by section 5 of Act 98 of 1970, amended by section 10 of Act 71 of 1975, by section 11 of Act 110 of 1979, by section 20 of Act 86 of 1982, by section 5 of Act 89 of 1983, by section 24(1) of Act 84 of 1987 and by section 14 of Act 68 of 1989, substituted by section 30 of Act 59 of 1990 and amended by section 59(a) of Act 23 of 2020]

Section 75A (Customs Act) – Circumstances in which imported goods free of duty are admissible under a rebate item of Schedule No. 4

75A.  Circumstances in which imported goods free of duty are admissible under a rebate item of Schedule No. 4

 

Notwithstanding section 75, imported goods free of duty that are –

 

(a)     exempt from value-added tax in terms of any item in paragraph 8 to Schedule 1 to the Value-Added Tax Act (Act No. 89 of 1991); and

 

(b)     identified by the item number and description identical to any item in Schedule No. 4 to this Act,

 

may be entered under the item in paragraph 8 of Schedule 1 to the Value-Added Tax Act, 1991, but the goods shall, in addition to any relevant provision of the Value-Added Tax Act, 1991, be subject to compliance with the provisions of section 75 of this Act and the corresponding item of Schedule No. 4 as if the goods were entered thereunder.

[Section 75A inserted by section 29 of Act 18 of 2009]

Section 76A (Customs Act) – Recovery of certain amounts not duly payable

76A.   Recovery of certain amounts not duly payable

 

(1)     If the Commissioner, purporting to act under the provisions of section 75 or 76, pays to any person by way of a refund or drawback any amount which was not duly payable to that person under those provisions or which was in excess of the amount due to that person by way of a refund or drawback under those provisions, that amount or the excess, as the case may be, shall be repaid by the person concerned to the Commissioner upon demand, failing which it shall be recoverable in terms of this Act as if it were the duty or charge concerned or part of such duty or charge, as the case may be.

 

(2)     The provisions of subsection (1) shall apply mutatis mutandis to any amount set off in terms of section 77(a).

[Subsection (2) added by section 9 of Act 69 of 1988 and substituted by section 71 of Act 20 of 2006]

 [Section 76A inserted by section 25 of Act 84 of 1987]

Section 76B (Customs Act) – Limitation on the period for which refund and drawback claims will be considered and the period within which applications therefor must be received by the Controller

76B.  Limitation on the period for which refund and drawback claims will be considered and the period within which applications therefor must be received by the Controller

[Heading substituted by section 20 of Act 32 of 2005]

(1)     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, but subject to any provision for a set-off of duty in any Schedule in respect of goods to which section 19A relates or any refund as contemplated in section 75(4A), where any person becomes entitled to any refund or drawback of duty –

(a)     in the case of any determination, new determination or amendment of any such determination in terms of section 47(9), 65 or 69, such refund shall be limited to –

(i)      a refund in respect of goods entered for home consumption during a period of two years immediately preceding the date of such determination, new determination or amendment, whichever date occurs last: Provided that where any such determination, new determination or amendment has been appealed against, such two year period shall be calculated from such last date, notwithstanding the fact that a court may amend any determination of the Commissioner, or the Commissioner may, as a result of the finding of such court, amend such determination; and

(ii)     any application for such refund which is received by the Controller within a period of 12 months from the date of-

(aa)   such determination, new determination or amendment of a determination; or

(bb)   any amendment by court or by the Commissioner as contemplated in the proviso to subparagraph (i); or

[Subparagraph (ii) substituted by section 100 of Act 60 of 2008]

(b)     in the case of any internal appeal to the Commissioner or a finding of court which is not in respect of a determination contemplated in section 47(9), 65 or 69, any refund or drawback shall be limited to –

(i)      goods entered for home consumption during a period of two years prior to the date of –

(aa)   any final decision by the Commissioner; or

(bb)   any decision of the Commissioner to the extent that it is amended by or as a result of a finding of court; and

(ii)     any application for such refund or drawback which is received by the Controller within a period of 12 months from the date of such decision or amended decision; or

(c)     in the case where any Schedule to the Act is amended with retrospective effect, any such refund or drawback shall be limited to an application therefor received by the Controller within a period of 12 months from the date on which such amendment is published by notice in the Gazette; or

(d)     in the case of a permit or certificate issued with retrospective effect as contemplated in section 75(14B), any such refund or drawback shall, notwithstanding the effective date of such permit or certificate, be limited to –

(i)      goods entered for home consumption during a period of two years prior to the date of issue of such permit or certificate; and

(ii)     any application received by the Controller within a period of 12 months from the date of issue of such permit or certificate; or

(e)     other than a refund or drawback referred to in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d), shall be limited to an application received by the Controller within a period of two years from the date of entry for home consumption of the goods to which the application relates.

(1A)  Where any person becomes entitled to a refund of export duty, such refund shall be limited to an application received by the Controller within a period of two years from the date of entry for export of the goods to which the application relates.

[Subsection (1A) inserted by section 16 of Act 24 of 2020]

 (2)    For the purpose of subsection (1) –

(a)     any application received must comply in all respects with the requirements of section 76(4); and

(b)     ‘finding of court’ means a final judgment by the High Court or a judgement by the Supreme Court of Appeal or the Constitutional Court.

(3)     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this section or any other provision of this Act, the Commissioner shall not authorise-

(a)     a refund of any amount paid under this Act where that amount was paid in accordance with the practice generally prevailing at the time of entry for home consumption of the goods in respect of which such payment was made; or

(b)     a drawback of duty that was not claimed or allowed in accordance with the practice generally prevailing at the time the goods in respect of which the drawback could have been claimed or allowed were entered for export.

[Subsection (3) added by section 100 of Act 60 of 2008]

[Section 76B inserted by section 67 of Act 30 of 1998 and substituted by section 29 of Act 34 of 2004]

Section 76C (Customs Act) – Set-off of refund against amounts owning

76C.    Set-off of refund against amounts owing

Where any refund of duty is in terms of this Act due to any person who has failed to pay any amount of tax, additional tax, duty, levy, charge, interest or penalty levied or imposed under any law administered by the Commissioner within the period prescribed for payment of the amount, the Commissioner may set off against the amount which the person has failed to pay, any amount which has become refundable to the person in terms of this Act: Provided that that amount is first set off against any outstanding debt under this Act.

[Section 76C inserted by section 67(1) of Act 30 of 1998 and substituted by section 20(1) of Act 16 of 2016 effective on 22 May, 2020]