Importers of clothing, textiles, footwear and leather goods urged to comply with CPA
The commission will continue to help importers understand the importance of complying.
According to the National Consumer Commission (NCC), the rate of non-compliance with goods imported into South Africa remains a concern.
Data from quarter three (October to December 2022) indicate that SARS (customs special operations) intercepted clothing, textiles, footwear and leather goods (CTFL) with a customs value of almost R4m.
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 and fibre content.
The acting consumer commissioner, Thezi Mabuza, said that while quarter three figures show a decline in customs value, the commission has noticed a trend that some of the importers are repeat offenders.
Some of the reasons given for non-compliance are the allegation that suppliers fail to follow the importer’s instructions.
“Our observation suggests importers may face this challenge. However, the commission wants to nudge importers toward compliance with the provisions of the act,” said Mabuza.
“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, it makes it impossible for consumers to make informed choices.”
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The act prohibits the importation of non-compliant goods.
SARS customs officials inspect consignments at the port of entry. When they suspect that the goods do not meet the labelling requirements, SARS issues a detention notice and notifies the NCC to investigate.
When goods do not comply with the CPA, the importer must either return them to the country of origin or destroy them at their own cost.
The commission will continue to help importers understand the importance of complying with the act and convene sessions with importers in the CTFL in three provinces (Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape).
With the sessions, they aim to raise awareness of the relevant section/s of the CPA when importing goods into the republic, to determine challenges associated with complying and understand what role the NCC can play in reducing 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”, Mabuza concluded.
