New Tariff Amendments Effective 12 June 2026

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SARS published six new tariff amendments in Government Gazette No. 54820 on 12 June 2026, all implementing recommendations from the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC). The most significant changes are a three-year safeguard duty on flat-rolled steel products, a higher anti-dumping duty on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from China, and a new rebate for aluminium alloy profiles.

Three-year safeguard duty on flat-rolled steel

A declining safeguard duty has been introduced on flat-rolled products of iron, non-alloy steel, and other alloy steel classifiable under Chapter 72, following ITAC Report No. 768. The duty is structured in three annual stages:

• 52,34% from 12 June 2026 to 11 June 2027 [Notice R.7581]

• 37,34% from 12 June 2027 to 11 June 2028 [Notice R.7580]

• 22,34% from 12 June 2028 to 11 June 2029 [Notice R.7579]

These safeguard duties are inserted under item 260.03 of Part 3 of Schedule No. 2. The declining structure is designed to give local producers short-term protection while allowing the market to adjust over time. Importers of flat-rolled steel products should review their supply chains and cost models immediately, as the first-year rate is substantial.

Anti-dumping duty on PET from China increased

Following ITAC Report No. 770, the anti-dumping duty on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) originating in or imported from the People's Republic of China has been increased from 28,89% to 43,77%, effective 12 June 2026 [Notice R.7582]. This amendment substitutes item 207.01/3907.6/03.05 in Part 1 of Schedule No. 2. PET is widely used in packaging, particularly in the food and beverage sector. Businesses importing PET from China, or advising clients who do, should account for the higher duty in their cost and pricing structures.

New rebate for aluminium alloy profiles

A new rebate provision has been inserted as rebate item 460.15/7604.29/01.06 in Part 2 of Schedule No. 4, following ITAC Report No. 747 [Notice R.7583]. The rebate applies to profiles of aluminium-copper-magnesium-zinc alloys classifiable under tariff subheading 7604.29. As with other Schedule 4 rebates, importers will need to apply to ITAC and demonstrate that the specific product is not available in the SACU market. This gives downstream manufacturers a route to source specialised aluminium profiles without paying full customs duties.

SACUM-UK TRQ reallocation for cheese and cereal-based preparations

General Note N in Schedule No. 1 has been amended to adjust the reallocation of tariff rate quotas (TRQs) on cheese and cereal-based preparations under the Southern African Customs Union and Mozambique (SACUM)-UK trade agreement [Notice R.7578]. This amendment applies retrospectively from 1 September 2025 to 31 December 2025. Businesses that imported these products during that period should confirm whether their customs declarations were correctly processed under the adjusted TRQ allocations.

When the changes take effect

The notices carry different effective dates.

• Four notices apply from 12 June 2026: the flat-rolled steel safeguard duty Year 1 rate (R.7581), the PET anti-dumping duty increase (R.7582), and the aluminium rebate provision (R.7583).

• The Year 2 and Year 3 steel safeguard rates take effect automatically on 12 June 2027 (R.7580) and 12 June 2028 (R.7579) respectively.

• The SACUM-UK TRQ amendment (R.7578) applies retrospectively from 1 September 2025 to 31 December 2025.

Bottom line

Importers and manufacturers in the steel, packaging, and aluminium sectors face material changes to their duty costs. The safeguard duties on flat-rolled steel are the most far-reaching, affecting a wide range of products under Chapter 72. Businesses importing PET from China will also see higher costs from June 2026. The new aluminium rebate offers relief for downstream manufacturers, provided they meet the ITAC application requirements. Members advising clients in these sectors should act promptly.