The South Africa Liquor Brand Owners Association (Salba) has welcomed Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s amendment to the Customs and Excise Act and Value-Added Tax Act, banning the duty-free sale of alcohol and tobacco products to foreign diplomats, calling it a turning point in the enforcement of stricter measures on curbing the illicit trade of alcohol, and encouraging more decisive action of this nature. Salba says the October 4 Constitutional Court ruling to amend the Acts will put an end to the illegal trading of duty-free products by diplomats. The South African Revenue Services (Sars) estimates that this illicit trade has resulted in a loss of revenue to the fiscus of more than R100-million a month.
