The Baking Tin (Pty) Ltd imported aluminium foil containers from Hong Kong, which were supplied to food manufacturers for the preparation and packaging of pies and other pre-cooked foods. The respondent imported the containers as 'catering consumables', contending they were not dutiable. The Commissioner for SARS determined that the aluminium containers constituted hollowware for table or kitchen use under tariff heading 7615.19.20, attracting customs duty at 30% and anti-dumping duty. The Baking Tin argued the containers were disposable packaging intended for single use, not durable kitchen articles. An appeal to the Commissioner failed, but an appeal to the Cape High Court (Foxcroft J) succeeded, which set aside the Commissioner's determination. The Commissioner appealed to the Supreme Court of Appeal.
The appeal was upheld with costs. The order of the Cape High Court was set aside and replaced with an order confirming the tariff determination of the imported goods under tariff heading 7615.19.20 and dismissing the appeal with costs.
The binding legal principles established are: (1) Tariff classification under the Customs and Excise Act must be determined by the objective characteristics and properties of goods as they are at the time of presentation for customs clearance, not by the subjective intention of the designer, manufacturer or importer, or the use to which the goods may be put after importation. (2) Durability or permanence is not a requirement for articles to be classified as 'table, kitchen or other household articles' under tariff heading 76.15 unless such a requirement is expressly stated in the heading or relevant notes. (3) The three-stage process for tariff classification requires: (a) interpretation of the meaning of words in the headings and relevant notes; (b) consideration of the nature and characteristics of the goods; and (c) selection of the most appropriate heading. (4) Explanatory notes to tariff headings are guides to interpretation, not exhaustive or peremptory injunctions.
The court noted that subjective factors such as the intention of the designer or the use to which goods are put may, in given situations, be relevant in determining the nature, characteristics and properties of goods - not as determinative factors, but as evidence that may throw light on the objective characteristics of the articles. The court also observed that tariff headings may themselves refer to the intention of the importer or prospective user of goods, in which case such subjective factors would be relevant. The court commented that the use of 'etcetera' in explanatory notes makes clear that the lists provided are not exhaustive and articles used in other environments beyond those specifically listed may be included.
This case is significant in South African customs and excise law as it clarifies the principles of tariff classification under the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964. It reinforces the principle that tariff classification must be based on the objective characteristics and properties of goods, not on the subjective intention of the manufacturer or importer regarding their use. The judgment confirms that durability or permanence is not a requirement for goods to fall under certain tariff headings unless explicitly stated. It provides guidance on interpreting explanatory notes to tariff headings, confirming they are guides rather than exhaustive definitions. The case is also important for the food packaging and catering industries regarding the classification and duty treatment of disposable food containers.
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