Customs and Excise (Amendment) Act, 2024

Abstract

The Customs and Excise (Amendment) Act 2024 introduces revised provisions to clarify and strengthen the rules governing the origin of goods, both preferential and non-preferential. The Act mandates the use of certificates of origin, authenticated by designated authorities in exporting countries, to substantiate the origin of goods for customs and trade purposes. It establishes the onus of proof of origin on owners or importers and provides simplified procedures for small-scale traders to benefit from preferential tariffs. Additionally, the Act updates the definitions of relevant terms, repeals outdated sections, and replaces them with provisions that align with international trade agreements, thereby enhancing compliance, transparency, and facilitation of cross-border trade.