The European Union admitted 10 former east block countries on 1 May 2004 as new members and thereby expanded the union’s membership to 25 member states.
The expansion of the EU means that the trade benefits agreed upon in the TDCA will also apply in respect of South Africa’s relations with the new members. The formal requirements for this to take effect have been completed when the South African Parliament ratified the Additional Protocol.
Companies trading with the new member states can from 1 January 2006 apply to SARS too obtain the benefits. The new EU member states are Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovania.
Companies may also reclaim benefits for goods that have been cleared since 1 May 2004.