New customs transfer pricing rules effective in 3 days; electricity levy deleted retroactively

Government Gazette No. 55355 (Regulation Gazette No. 12047) introduces new Customs and Excise Act rules 41A.01–41A.04, creating a structured process for adjusting customs value on bills of entry where transfer pricing adjustments apply between related-party importers. Importers must disclose transfer pricing adjustments to SARS by submitting a letter of notification within the timeframe in section 41(4)(b)(ii)(bb), then file a Customs Value Adjustment Claim (CVAC) with supporting documents within 30 calendar days. Duty and VAT become payable within 14 days of the Commissioner's written acceptance of the CVAC. Separately, the gazette deletes the environmental levy on electricity (Schedule 1 Part 3B) and introduces a refund mechanism (Schedule 6 Part 4) with retrospective effect from 1 January 2026, but refunds are conditional on the licensee first applying for cancellation of its manufacturing warehouse licence with effect from that date. The gazette also contains SIU proclamations referring eThekwini Municipality security procurement and Northwest Transport Investments procurement irregularities for investigation, and trade union registration changes effective 1 September 2026.