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Importers of Clothing, Textile, Footwear and Leather goods are urged to comply with the CPA or face the consequences

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Importers of Clothing, Textile, Footwear and Leather goods are urged to comply with the CPA or face the consequences

1st February 2023

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/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) says the rate of non-compliance related to goods imported into the Republic remains a concern. Data from quarter three (October and December 2022) indicate that SARS (Customs Special Operations) intercepted Clothing, Textiles, Footwear and Leather goods (CTFL) with a customs value of R3 902 809. 50. The goods contravened the Consumer Protection Act (CPA).  

Section 24(5) read with Regulation 6 of the CPA stipulates that all CTFL goods (finished or unfinished) imported into the Republic must have a label permanently affixed and clearly indicating a country of origin, care instructions as well as fibre content. 

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The Acting Consumer Commissioner Ms Thezi Mabuza says while quarter three figures show a decline in customs value; however, the Commission has noticed a trend where some of the importers are “repeat offenders”. Some reasons given for non-compliance are the allegation that suppliers fail to follow the importer’s instructions. “Our observation suggests that there might be a challenge that importers are faced with, and the Commission wants to nudge importers towards the direction of compliance with the provisions of the Act. 

The purpose of the CPA, among others, is to improve consumer awareness and information while encouraging responsible and informed consumer choices. Where care labelling is defaced or removed, the care instruction is in a foreign language or there is more than one country of origin; makes it impossible for consumers to make informed choices,” said Commissioner Mabuza. 

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The Act prohibits the importation of non-compliant goods. SARS (Customs) officials inspect consignments at the port of entry, and where they suspect that the goods do not meet the labelling requirements as per the Act; SARS issues a detention notice and notifies the NCC to investigate. Where goods do not comply with the CPA, the importer is required to either return the goods to the country of origin or destroy them at their own cost. 

The Commission will continue with its efforts to help importers understand the importance of complying with the Act. The Commission will convene sessions with importers in the CTFL in three provinces (Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape). The sessions are aimed at raising awareness of relevant section/s of the CPA when importing goods into the Republic, to determine the challenges associated with complying with the relevant provision/s about importing goods into South Africa and understand what role the NCC can play to reduce the burden if there is any.  “It is vitally important for importers to comply with the CPA to avoid delays at the ports of entry or even the cost of not complying with the Act”, she concluded. 

 

Issued by The National Consumer Commission (NCC)

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