Premlall appointed to Customs and Excise key Industry Management Forum committee (KIMF) representing the tyre sector

The Tyre, Equipment, Parts Association (TEPA), a constituent association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), announced the appointment of Vishal Premlall, TEPA National Director, to the newly established Customs and Excise Key Industry Management Forum (KIMF).

Premlall will represent the tyre sector alongside key stakeholders from the South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC) and the Tyre Importers Association of South Africa (TIASA).

The KIMF is a newly launched standalone forum initiated by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and governed by a formal Terms of Reference (TOR). It aims to promote collaboration between SARS and industry stakeholders on regulatory, operational, and strategic issues affecting specific sectors.

As a representative of TEPA and the broader tyre sector, Premlall will play a vital role in several key focus areas within the forum. His involvement will contribute to addressing customs and excise risk by helping to identify and mitigate risks within the tyre industry's value chain, particularly around valuation fraud and tariff misclassification, ensuring improved compliance with the Customs and Excise Act.

The committee will also be involved in developing systemic solutions which will involve working collaboratively to identify systemic gaps and develop solutions that improve the import and export processes impacting the tyre sector. Finally Premlall will also play an important role in sharing practical insights and industry experience to support SARS in achieving regulatory efficiency and improving trade facilitation.

His appointment underscores TEPA's commitment to ensuring that the voice of the tyre sector is actively represented in key policy and regulatory discussions, and that industry concerns are addressed through open, transparent, and results-driven dialogue.

“We are proud to have Premlall take up this important role,” says Johann van der Merwe, TEPA National Chairman. “His expertise and in-depth understanding of the tyre sector will undoubtedly add significant value to the forum’s objectives.”

The formation of the KIMF represents a meaningful step toward enhanced collaboration between SARS and the tyre industry, setting the foundation for improved compliance, operational efficiency, and fair trade practices.