THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEAL OF SOUTH AFRICA
JUDGMENT

Reportable
Case No: 301/2022
In the matter between:

SILVERBACK TECHNOLOGIES CC

FIRST APPELLANT
OMNICO (PTY) LTD

SECOND APPELLANT
CYTEK CYCLE DISTRIBUTORS CC

THIRD APPELLANT

and

COMMISSIONER FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN
REVENUE SERVICE

RESPONDENT

Neutral citation:
Silverback Technologies CC & Others v Commissioner, South
African Revenue Service (301/2022) [2023] ZASCA 128 (09 October 2023)
Coram:
PETSE AP and MABINDLA-BOQWANA and WEINER JJA and MALI
and MASIPA AJJA
Heard:
03 May 2023
Delivered:
09 October 2023

Summary:  Revenue – customs duty – importation of bicycle parts for use in
assembling bicycles – classification of such parts as constituting the essential
character of a bicycle under tariff heading 8712.00.10 confirmed on further appeal.

___________________________________________________________________

ORDER
___________________________________________________________________

On appeal from: Gauteng Division of the High Court, Pretoria (Mokoena AJ sitting as
court of first instance):
The appeal is dismissed with costs, including the costs of two counsel.

JUDGMENT
___________________________________________________________________
Petse AP and Mali AJA (Mabindla-Boqwana and Weiner JJA and Masipa AJA
concurring):

Introduction
[1] The present litigation involves a trilogy of cases that were heard together in the
Gauteng Division of the High Court, Pretoria (the high court). They essentially raise
the same question of law and fact that can conveniently be dealt with in a composite
judgment. They primarily concern the classification, for purposes of customs duty, of
certain bicycle parts imported into the country for use in assembling bicycles in order
to determine the appellants' liability for import duties, if any.

[2] Section 47(1)1 of the Customs and Excise Act2 (the Act) provides, amongst
other things, that customs duty is payable on certain goods imported into the country
in accordance with the provisions of Part I of Schedule I (the Schedule) to the Act. The
appeal raises the question whether the goods in question, ie. bicycle parts, as
presented upon importation bear the essential character of a bicycle or are merely
parts or accessories of a bicycle. The significance of this distinction lies in the fact that
bicycle parts that bear the essential character of a bicycle are liable, under tariff
heading 8712.00 of Part I of Schedule I to the Act, for import duties of 15 per cent of

1 Section 47(1) reads:
'Subject to the provisions of this Act, duty shall be paid for the benefit of the National Revenue Fund on
all imported goods, all excisable goods, all surcharge goods, all environmental levy goods, all fuel levy
goods and all Road Accident Fund levy goods in accordance with the provisions of Schedule No. 1 at
the time of entry for home consumption of such goods.'
2 Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964.

their value. By contrast, parts and accessories that lack the essential character of a
bicycle are exempt from customs duty.

The parties
[3] The first appellant, Silverback Technologies CC (Silverback) is a close
corporation registered in terms of the Close Corporations Act.3 It conducts business
as an importer into and distributor of bicycle parts and accessories in the Republic of
South Africa (RSA). The second appellant, Omnico (Pty) Ltd (Omnico), is an
incorporated entity in terms of the company laws of the RSA. It, too, conducts business
as an importer of bicycle parts for local distribution. Similarly, the third appellant, Cytek
Cycle Distributors CC (Cytek Cycle) is a close corporation, which, as part of its name
suggests, conducts business as an importer of bicycles and their parts for local
distribution. For convenience, these parties will collectively be referred to as the
appellants. But when it is convenient to refer to any one of them individually we shall
do so by their respective names.

[4] The Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service (SARS) features as
a respondent in each of the three cases. For convenience, we shall refer to the
respondent as either the Commissioner or SARS, depending on the context.

Litigation history
[5] At different times during 2016 and 2017 the appellants independently instituted
legal proceedings in the high court against the Commissioner. For its part, Silverback
sought orders against SARS, inter alia, in the following terms:
'1.
That the Respondent's tariff determinations (annexed to the Founding Affidavit as
annexures "SV3", "SV4" and "SV6" determining the products under issue under tariff heading
8712.00.10, be set aside and replaced with a tariff determination under tariff heading 8714.19.

2.
Alternatively to the above, that the tariff determination be set aside and replaced with
a determination that the products are classified under TH8714.99 or further alternatively per
corresponding part under TH8714.9.'

[6] In view of the fact that the principal issue for determination in all three cases

3 Close Corporations Act 69 of 1984.

overlapped, they were heard together in the high court pursuant to a directive issued
by the Acting Deputy Judge President.

[7] We pause here to mention that the proceedings in the high court were in truth
appeals in terms of s 47(9)(e)4 of the Act against tariff determinations issued by the
Commissioner pursuant to s 47(9)(a)5 of the Act against each one of the appellants.
Also in contention in these proceedings were certain guidelines to which the
Commissioner had regard in making his determinations.

[8] The issue to be determined by the high court was formulated by the parties as
follows: whether the products, as presented on importation, are bicycles as such or
parts and accessories of bicycles. Thus, in essence, the outcome of the litigation was
to a large degree dependant on the proper interpretation of the General Interpretation
Rule (GIR) 2(a) read with the relevant tariff heading and relative interpretation notes.
The high court was therefore called upon to determine what constitutes the essential
character of a bicycle in the light of the bicycle parts imported by the appellants, having
regard to the most appropriate tariff heading. In this regard, it bears mentioning that
according to GIR 2(a),6 an incomplete or unfinished article, including an article that is
unassembled or disassembled, shall, for purposes of determining liability for import
duties, be classified as a complete article. However, this is subject to the rider that
such an article, in its condition as presented on importation, bears the essential
character of the finished or complete article.

4 Section 47(9)(e) of the Act reads:
'An appeal against any such determination shall lie to the division of the High Court of South Africa
having jurisdiction to hear appeals in the area wherein the determination was made, or the goods in
question were entered for home consumption.'
5 Section 47(9)(a) of the Act reads:
'The Commissioner may in writing determine–
(aa) the tariff headings, tariff sub-headings or tariff items or other items of any Schedule under which
any imported goods, goods manufactured in the Republic or goods exported shall be classified'.
6 General Interpretation Rule 2(a) reads:
'Any reference in a heading to an article shall be taken to include a reference to that article incomplete
or unfinished, provided that, as presented, the incomplete or unfinished article has the essential
character of the complete or finished article. It shall also be taken to include a reference to that article
complete or finished (or falling to be classified as complete or finished by virtue of this Rule), presented
unassembled or disassembled.'

[9] At the outset, it bears mentioning that before the high court, the appellants
expressly disavowed any reliance on the expert evidence7 presented by them.8 They
also brought applications (in all three cases) in which they sought that certain expert
evidence presented by or on behalf of the respondent be struck out.9 We shall revert
to the applications to strike out later.

[10] The main and interlocutory applications all served before Mokoena AJ. The
learned Judge dismissed all of these applications in a composite judgment delivered
in January 2022.10 The present appeal is against the dismissal of the appeals and is
before us with the leave of the high court.

[11] As to the expert evidence presented by SARS, the learned Judge held that it
was relevant and admissible on account of the fact that the court itself lacked the
requisite skill to determine, without the aid of experts, how 'a bicycle is made up and
functions and, the nature and characteristics of its components.' The learned Judge
then proceeded to point out that Mr Du Toit (SARS's expert) could differentiate
'between two types of bicycles and their respective purpose' and how 'the different
components which are part of the bicycle' work. And that because Mr Du Toit's
credentials as a bicycle expert were not in dispute there was no cogent reason why
the court should not have regard to his expert evidence. With respect to the expert
evidence of Mr Stickells, the high court held that it supported, in material respects, that
of Mr Du Toit. And although the appellants had disavowed any reliance thereon, such
evidence remained part of the papers. Thus, so the high court concluded, absent its
withdrawal or expungement, the high court was not only not at liberty, but also duty
bound to consider it.

7 This was the expert evidence contained in the affidavit of Mr Graeme Stickells filed in the cases of
Omnico and Cytek Cycle on the grounds that it constituted opinion evidence and therefore inadmissible
on account of it being irrelevant.
8 No expert evidence was presented on behalf of Silverback.
9 This was the expert evidence presented by Mr Du Toit on behalf of SARS on the grounds that it was
irrelevant and therefore inadmissible.
10 As consequential relief, the high court ordered the appellants to pay excise duty on the imported
goods as previously determined by the Commissioner.

[12] Reverting to the merits of the case, the high court stated that they raised the
question as to 'what the essential character or essence of a bicycle is.' It then adverted
to SARS' answering affidavit in which the following assertion is made:
'The Respondent elaborated in its Answering Affidavit and said:-
"The guideline incorporates the six main bicycle components identified above. The frame and
fork are required to be present. This is so because they are the "core components" to which
all other components are attached. Also, these two components are central in recognising the
product as a bicycle, both in design and appearance. Regarding the other components, the
Commissioner is of the view that the presence of any two of those components (together with
the frame and fork) would be sufficient to capture the essence of a bicycle." ' (Emphasis added
by the high court.)

[13] After making reference to various guidelines,11 the high court concluded that
the bicycle parts imported by each of the appellants bore the essential character of a
bicycle. Thus, so the high court held, the appellants were liable to pay customs duty
on the articles imported by them as determined by the Commissioner. It was therefore
on that footing that the appeals were dismissed.

Discussion
[14] As will have become readily apparent from what has been said thus far, this
appeal is about import duty. In particular, it concerns the question whether the bicycle
parts imported into the country by the appellants, properly classified, rightly attracted
import duties. To answer this question, it is necessary first to determine which one
between two tariff headings, namely tariff heading 8712.0012 and 8714.913 is
applicable. If the imported goods are classified under tariff heading 8712.00.10, import
duty will be payable. By contrast, if tariff heading 8714.9 is applicable, the relevant
goods will be free of duty on importation. In order to classify the goods, in this instance

11 The guidelines are referenced in para 27 below.
12 Tariff heading 8712.00 reads:
'Bicycles and other cycles (including delivery tri-cycles), not motorised.'
Sub-heading 8712.00.10 reads:
'Bicycles.'
13 Tariff heading 8714.9 reads:
'Other.'
Sub-heading 8714.91 reads:
'Frames and forks, and parts thereof.'

bicycle parts, one must ask whether the parts, viewed collectively when assembled,
have the essential character of a bicycle.

[15] It bears mentioning at this juncture that the relevant explanatory note to Chapter
87 states as follows:
'An incomplete or unfinished vehicle is classified as the corresponding complete or finished
vehicle provided it has the essential character of the latter.'
Then GIR 2(a), in turn, provides three examples of an incomplete or unfinished vehicle.
For present purposes it is sub-paragraph (C) that has a bearing on what is at issue in
this appeal. It reads:
'(C) A bicycle without saddle and tyres.'

[16] Classification of goods for purposes of import duties as between different tariff
headings is 'a three-stage process'. This is what Nicholas AJA said in International
Business Machines SA (Pty) Ltd v Commissioner for Customs and Excise.14 The
learned Judge of Appeal explained that the first stage involves interpretation, namely,
'the ascertainment of the meaning of the words used in the headings (and relative
Section and Chapter Notes) which may be relevant to the classification of the goods
concerned.' Secondly, it involves the 'consideration of the nature and characteristics
of those goods', and, thirdly, 'the selection of the heading which is most appropriate to
such goods.'15

[17] Insofar as the first stage of the process is concerned, we need only state that
the principles to be applied and the proper approach to adopt in the interpretation of
statutory instruments (and any written document for that matter) are well settled. Thus,
no useful purpose would be served by rehashing the oft-quoted passage from the
judgment of this Court in Natal Joint Municipal Pension Fund v Endumeni
Municipality.16 Suffice it to state that in Endumeni this Court reiterated that the process

14 International Business Machines SA (Pty) Ltd v Commissioner for Customs and Excise [1985] ZASCA
87; [1985] 2 All SA 596; 1985 (4) SA 852 (A) (International Business Machines).
15 Ibid at 863 B-C.
16 Natal Joint Municipal Pension Fund v Endumeni Municipality [2012] ZASCA 13; [2012] 2 All SA 262
(SCA); 2012 (4) SA 593 (SCA) para 18 (Endumeni).

of interpretation is a unitary and objective exercise that pays due regard not only to
the text but also to the context and purpose of the document being interpreted.17

[18] The relevant interpretive principles were usefully summarised recently by the
Constitutional Court in Minister of Police and Others v Fidelity Security Services (Pty)
Limited18 thus:
'(a)
Words in a statute must be given their ordinary grammatical meaning unless to do so
would result in an absurdity.
(b)
This general principle is subject to three interrelated riders: a statute must be
interpreted purposively; the relevant provision must be properly contextualised; and the statute
must be construed consistently with the Constitution, meaning in such a way as to preserve
its constitutional validity.
(c)
Various propositions flow from this general principle and its riders. Among others, in
the case of ambiguity, a meaning that frustrates the apparent purpose of the statute or leads
to results which are not businesslike or sensible results should not be preferred where an
interpretation which avoids these unfortunate consequences is reasonably possible. The
qualification “reasonably possible” is a reminder that Judges must guard against the
temptation to substitute what they regard as reasonable, sensible or businesslike for the words
actually used.
(d)
If reasonably possible, a statute should be interpreted so as to avoid a lacuna (gap) in
the legislative scheme.'19
Cautioning that the triad of the text, context and purpose should not be used in a
mechanical fashion, this Court in Capitec Bank Holdings Limited and Another v Coral
Lagoon Investments 194 (Pty) Ltd and Others20 said the following:
'It is the relationship between the words used, the concepts expressed by those words and
the place of the contested provision within the scheme of the agreement (or instrument) as a
whole that constitutes the enterprise by recourse to which a coherent and salient interpretation
is determined.'21

17 See also: Cool Ideas 1186 CC v Hubbard and Another [2014] ZACC 16; 2014 (4) SA 474 (CC) para
28; Road Traffic Management Corporation v Waymark (Pty) Limited [2019] ZACC 12; 2019 (5) SA 29
(CC) paras 30-32.
18 Minister of Police and Others v Fidelity Security Services (Pty) Limited [2022] ZACC 16; 2022 (2)
SACR 519 (CC).
19 Ibid para 34; see also Chisuse and Others v Director-General, Department of Home Affairs and
Another [2020] ZACC 20; 2020 (6) SA 14 (CC) para 52.
20 Capitec Bank Holdings Limited and Another v Coral Lagoon Investments 194 (Pty) Ltd and Others
[2021] ZASCA 99; [2021] 3 All SA 647 (SCA); 2022 (1) SA 100 (SCA).
21 Ibid para 25.

[19] It is against the foregoing backdrop that we now turn to deal with what is at the
core of this appeal. As already mentioned above, the central issue is whether the
learned Judge erred in upholding the determination made by the Commissioner,
namely that the bicycle parts imported by the appellants had the essential character
of a bicycle and, therefore, subject to payment of import duties.

[20] It is apposite at this juncture to mention that in the high court the appeal of
Silverback was by agreement between the parties selected as a test case. It was
further agreed that the outcome of the Silverback appeal would also bind Omnico and
Cytek Cycle.

[21] It is common cause between the parties that on 31 July 2015 Silverback
imported a consignment of bicycle parts comprising the following:
Frame; fork; front derailleur; handlebar; complete brake set (ie. brake levers, cables,
brake blocks and callipers); stem; grip; crank set (chainwheel and the two pedal arms);
shifters; bottom bracket parts; saddle, seat posts; cables and or complete gear and
brakes.

[22] Taking our cue from what Nicholas AJA said in International Business
Machines,22 we are enjoined to consider at this point the second stage in the
classification process, namely the nature and characteristics of the goods imported by
Silverback. On this score, we record that the parties are in agreement as to the
meaning of a bicycle.

[23] It is common cause that Silverback, Omnico and Cytek Cycle imported a wide
variety of bicycle parts. And that none of these consignments contained bicycle
wheels. Nevertheless, in terms of GIR 2(a), an incomplete or unfinished article,
including an article that is unassembled, shall, for purposes of determining whether
import duty is payable in respect of such article, be classified as a complete article if
in its incomplete state as presented on importation, 'it bears the essential character' of
a complete or finished article, such as a bicycle in this instance. We shall elaborate on

22 See footnote 14 above.

this later.

[24] In making his determination as to whether customs duty was payable in respect
of the consignments of imported bicycle parts, the Commissioner had regard to two
relevant tariff headings, namely tariff headings 8712.00.10 and 8714.9. The former
essentially provides that 'bicycles and other cycles, including delivery tricycles, that
are not motorised are subject to customs duty of 15%.' And the latter, in turn, provides
that 'parts and accessories of vehicles under headings 87.11 to 87.13' are not subject
to payment of customs duty.

[25] The all-embracing contention advanced by the appellants, briefly stated, is that
on a proper interpretation of the wording of tariff heading 8712.00 read with the
relevant chapter, section and explanatory notes, wheels are the indispensable
components that give a bicycle its essential character. Absent the wheels, so the
argument went, the collection of parts under consideration in these proceedings are
but parts and accessories of bicycles which, as a result, lack the essential character
of a bicycle. According to the appellants the wheels, together with the other parts, are
what give a bicycle its essential character.

[26] For his part, the Commissioner contended that the nub of the issue is 'whether
the collection of the imported parts represents the essential character of a bicycle'. In
elaboration, the Commissioner submitted that in the context of the facts of this case
the essential character of a bicycle ought to be determined with reference to all the
components making up the consignments. Viewed in that light, counsel emphasised,
the collection of the parts imported by the appellants were undoubtedly an
embodiment of the essential character of a bicycle.

[27] The Commissioner further bolstered his case by employing the guidelines of
Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the European Union and the United
Kingdom. HMRC referred SARS to the Combined Nomenclature Explanatory Note
(CNEN) issued by Europe. The CNEN is contained in Regulation 2015/C 076/01. The
Official Journal of the European Union, insofar as it pertains to this appeal, reads:
'8712.00
Bicycles and other cycles (including delivery tricycles), not motorised

This heading includes incomplete bicycles that have essential characteristics

of complete bicycles (general rule 2(a) for the interpretation of the Combined

Nomenclature).

An incomplete bicycle, whether or not assembled, is to be classified under

heading 87 12 00 if it consists of the frame, the fork and at least two of the

following components:

– a set of wheels;

– a crank-gear (see the explanatory note subheading 87 14 96 30);

– a steering unit (including handlebar and handlebar stems);

– a brake system.'
The decision of the Harmonised System Committee made by the World Customs
Organisation (WCO) is to the effect that the three configurations provided by SARS
were classified in heading 87.12 by application of GIRs 1 and 2(a). Whilst the
appellants complained about the approach adopted by the Commissioner in
classifying the relevant goods, it is generally accepted practice that members of the
WCO follow the same approach. However, it must be said that the guidelines are by
their nature only of persuasive force and are not meant to substitute or override
principles of interpretation.

[28] It is necessary at this juncture to make reference to s 47(8)(a) of the Act. It
reads, to the extent here relevant, as follows:
'The interpretation of–
(i) any tariff heading or tariff subheading in Part 1 of Schedule No. 1;
. . .
(iii) the general rules for the interpretation of Schedule No. 1; and
(iv) every section note and chapter note in Part 1 of Schedule No. 1,
shall be subject to the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description
and Coding System done in Brussels on 14 June 1983 and to the Explanatory Notes to the
Harmonised System issued by the Customs Co-operation Council, Brussels (now known as
the World Customs Organisation) from time to time: Provided that where the application of any
part of such Notes or any addendum thereto or any explanation thereof is optional the
application of such part, addendum or explanation shall be in the discretion of the
Commissioner.'
The effect of this, we observe, is that in determining the fate of this appeal, we must
have regard not only to the provisions of the Act and the relevant Schedule thereto but
also to the tariff headings or tariff sub-headings and Explanatory Notes.

[29] As to the invocation of the relevant heading, read with relative sections and
chapter notes and section and chapter notes when classifying particular goods, Trollip
JA cautioned in Secretary for Customs and Excise v Thomas Barlow & Sons Ltd23 that
'one must bear in mind that they are merely intended to explain or perhaps supplement
those headings and notes and not to override or contradict them. They are manifestly
not designed for the latter purpose, for they are not worded with the linguistic precision
usually characteristic of statutory precepts; on the contrary they consist mainly of
discursive comment and illustrations.'

[30] What this Court said in Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service v
Toneleria Nacional RSA (Pty) Ltd24 in relation to the 'Harmonised System' bears
repeating. The Court said that '[...t]he Harmonised System is the product of
international agreements between states, and like any international agreement it
should as far as possible be interpreted uniformly by national courts.'25

[31] Counsel for the appellants sought to circumvent the unequivocal statement in
Toneleria, quoted in the preceding paragraph, and contended that International
Business Machines is still good law insofar as customs administration and
international organisations are concerned and that the Harmonised System is not
authoritative in a South African court until it is reflected in an explanatory note as the
latter decision was not overruled by Toneleria. That may well be so, but this is an issue
we need not venture into for present purposes. However, what is beyond question is
that South Africa is a signatory to the 1983 Brussels Convention and is therefore bound
by its terms. As the Harmonised System is a product of international agreements
between states that seek to promote uniformity in international trade relative to
customs duty, it is as well to remember that in interpreting the Act, sub-headings and
explanatory notes, national courts are enjoined to prefer any reasonable interpretation
of the legislation that is consistent with international law.26

23 Secretary for Customs and Excise v Thomas Barlow & Sons Ltd 1970 (2) SA 660 at 676C-D.
24 Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service v Toneleria Nacional RSA (Pty) Ltd [2021]
ZASCA 65; [2021] 3 All SA 299 (SCA); 2021 (5) SA 68 (SCA) (Toneleria).
25 Ibid para 25.
26 See s 233 of the Constitution which reads:

What is the essential character of a bicycle?
[32] We now come to the contentions advanced on behalf of the appellants in
relation to what is at the core of this appeal and the authorities relied upon in support
of those contentions. By way of prelude, we pause to observe that the appellants
submitted in their heads of argument that the essential character of a bicycle must be
determined with reference to the meaning of the words employed in the tariff headings.
And that such words must be given their ordinary meaning in the light of their context.
In Autoware (Pty) Ltd v Secretary for Customs and Excise27 Colman J had occasion
to consider, for purposes of customs duty, whether a certain type of vehicle was a
panel van or an incomplete station wagon. The learned Judge found that the relative
simplicity and low-cost modification was not a decisive criterion, because the enquiry
does not turn on what the product was going to be or what it will be adapted to be.
Rather, the court must consider what the product was at the time of importation.

[33] Colman J continued to say that the issue–
'. . .must be decided on the basis of the presence or absence, in the unmodified vehicle, of
the essential features or components of a station wagon. . .What I mean by an essential
feature of a station wagon is not a feature which is important, for one reason or another, or
even one which is necessary for the proper functioning of a station wagon. I mean a feature
which is essential in that it embodies the essence of a station wagon, and differentiate such a
vehicle from others which are not station wagons.'28

[34] Further, what this Court said in Commissioner for the South African Revenue
Service v L G Electronics SA (Pty) Ltd29 is instructive. Citing the statement by Colman
J referenced in the preceding paragraph, this Court said:
'While it is clear that each determination must be according to the salient facts attaching to the
goods in question (and, in particular, its objective characteristics), and while in one case an

'When interpreting any legislation, every court must prefer any reasonable interpretation of the
legislation that is consistent with international law over any alternative interpretation that is inconsistent
with international law.'
27 Autoware (Pty) Ltd v Secretary for Customs and Excise 1975 (4) SA 318 (W).
28 Ibid at 327G-328A.
29 Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service v L G Electronics [2010] ZASCA 79; 2012 (5)
SA 439 (SCA).

engine may properly be regarded as the essence of the goods, in another a frame or chassis
may be sufficient to satisfy the test.'30

[35] We interpose here to observe that some of the well-known English Dictionaries
define a bicycle as a 'vehicle consisting of two wheels held by a frame one behind the
other, propelled by pedals and steered with handlebars attached to the front wheel.'31

[36] Placing much store on definitions such as the one mentioned in the preceding
paragraph, counsel for the appellants argued that wheels, in combination with a
collection of some other parts, is what constitutes the essential character of a bicycle.
In elaboration, counsel stressed that the essential character of a bicycle would be
lacking where one or both wheels were absent. For this submission, counsel heavily
relied mainly on the decision of the Australian Administrative Appeal Tribunal in
Toyworld Ltd and the Collector of Customers.32 In Toyworld the Appeals Tribunal
endorsed the contention that if one or both wheels are lacking whatever else remains
will not have the essential character of a bicycle. Counsel for the appellants buttressed
his argument with reference to s 23333 of the Constitution that decrees that courts must
prefer any reasonable interpretation of the legislation that is consistent with
international law over any alternative interpretation that is inconsistent with
international law.

[37] There are at least three insurmountable difficulties in the appellants' path. In
the first place it is as well to remember that in interpreting any legislation our courts
are enjoined to do so consistently with the Constitution. In addition, the expression 'the
essential character of a bicycle' under consideration in this case must be interpreted
purposively34 and must also be properly contextualised.35 The wording of the most

30 Para 15.
31 See, for example, the Concise Oxford English Dictionary, Twelfth Edition by the Oxford University
Press.
32 Toyworld Ltd and the Collector of Customers 1984 (7) ALD 67 (Toyworld).
33 See footnote 26 above.
34 Dengetenge Holdings (Pty) Ltd v Southern Sphere Mining And Development Company Ltd and
Others [2013] ZACC 48; 2014 (3) BCLR 265 (CC); 2014 (5) SA 138 (CC) paras 84-86; Department of
Land Affairs and Others v Goedgelegen Tropical Fruits (Pty) Ltd [2007] ZACC 12; 2007 (10) BCLR
1027 (CC); 2007 (6) SA 199 (CC) para 5.
35 North East Finance (Pty) Ltd v Standard Bank of South Africa Ltd [2013] ZASCA 76; 2013 (5) SA 1
(SCA); [2013] 3 All SA 291 (SCA) para 24; KPMG Chartered Accountants (SA) v Securefin Limited and

appropriate heading, namely 8712.00 and the explanatory notes to Chapter 87, which
must be read in conjunction with sub-heading 8712.00.10, are clear and unambiguous.
GIR 2(a)(C), too, provides a clear example of an incomplete or unfinished vehicle (to
be understood as a reference to a bicycle on the facts of this case).

[38] Secondly, the appellants' reliance on s 233 of the Constitution is misplaced.
Section 233 refers not to foreign law which is what Toyworld is all about. Rather, it
explicitly refers to international law. There is a fundamental difference between
international law on the one hand and foreign law on the other, a point that requires
no elaboration.

[39] In the third place, the appellants' reliance on the decision of the Australian
Administrative Appeal Tribunal in Toyworld is unavailing. This is so because in
Toyworld the Appeal Tribunal undoubtedly placed great reliance on the important role
of wheels which give a bicycle its functionality. But this is not what tariff heading
8712.00 read with GIR 2(a) and the explanatory notes to Chapter 87, on their proper
interpretation, require.

[40] As already indicated, the relevant tariff heading – read in the context of GIR
2(a) (C) and explanatory notes in Chapter 87 – speaks not of a collection of parts
constituting a bicycle. Rather, it speaks of parts that have 'the essential character' of
a bicycle. Significantly, GIR 3(b)(viii) provides that the 'factor which determines
essential character will vary as between different kinds of goods'. And by way of
examples, it proceeds to, inter alia, state that this may be determined by the nature of
the component, quantity or the role of the consistent material in relation to the use of
the goods. Implicit in what GIR 3(b)(viii) says is that the nature and characteristics of
the relevant goods must be determined. Thereafter, the most appropriate heading (and
relative section and chapter notes) must be selected and applied.

[41] To our mind the distinction between that which constitutes a bicycle as a
finished article on the one hand and what bears the essential character of a bicycle on

Another [2009] ZASCA 7; 2009 (4) SA 399 (SCA) ; [2009] 2 All SA 523 (SCA) para 39; Jaga v Dönges,
NO And Another; Bhana v Dönges, NO And Another 1950 (4) SA 653 (A) at 664E-H.

the other hand is self-evident. In relation to the former the collection of the parts is
transformed into a bicycle when assembled to produce a finished or complete product.
By contrast, a collection of parts which do not produce a complete or finished product
when assembled, may nevertheless have the essential character of the finished
product. Differently put, whilst bicycle wheels, in combination with other parts,
collectively make up a bicycle as a finished or complete article, their absence does not
have the consequence that the remaining parts will necessarily lack the essential
character of a bicycle.

Application to strike out
[42] It remains to address two subsidiary issues advanced on behalf of the
appellants. These relate to the expert evidence of both Mr Stickells and Mr Du Toit,
the two expert witnesses called by the appellants and SARS respectively. With respect
to the evidence of Mr Du Toit, it was submitted that the high court should never have
relied on such evidence for two reasons. First, it was argued that Mr Du Toit was not
an expert as he claimed. Secondly, it was submitted that what was presented as expert
evidence was in truth opinion evidence which, by its very nature, was inadmissible. As
to the first point the learned authors D T Zeffertt, A P Paizes and A St Q Skeen in The
South African Law of Evidence36 say the following:
'It is the function of the judge [including a magistrate] to decide whether the witness has
sufficient qualifications to be able to give assistance. The court must be satisfied that the
witness possesses sufficient skill, training or experience to assist it. His [or her] qualifications
have to be measured against the evidence he or she has to give in order to determine whether
they are sufficient to enable him or her to give relevant evidence. It is not always necessary
that the witness's skill or knowledge be acquired in the course of his or her profession – it
depends on the topic. Lack of formal training may indicate inadequate theoretical training but,
in the circumstances of a particular case, this may be offset by practical experience. Thus, in
R v Silverlock [1894] 2 QB 766 it was said that a solicitor who had made a study of handwriting
could give expert evidence on the subject even if he had not made any professional use of his
accomplishments.'

[43] In our view the appellants' argument falls to be rejected. There is nothing
militating against the acceptance of Mr Du Toit's evidence as an expert witness. He

36 D T Zeffert and AP Paizes The South African Law of Evidence 3rd ed pages 337-338.

asserted that he had acquired vast knowledge in bicycles through his extensive
experience spanning some 30 years dealing with bicycles and their components. In
the appellants' heads of argument, it was contended, that in his affidavit, Mr Du Toit
did no more than merely express an opinion on matters that are in the exclusive
domain of the court itself. This argument, too, must falter for the simple reason that,
ultimately, at any rate it remains the task of the court to evaluate such evidence to
determine whether and to what extent the opinion expressed is founded on logical
reasoning.37

[44] Accordingly, taking a critical view of the tenor of Mr Du Toit's evidence, we can
see no reason why reliance, albeit limited, cannot be placed on his views which are in
no small measure aligned with those of Mr Stickells in certain material respects. With
respect to the appellants' application to strike out Mr Du Toit's affidavit, it is well to
remember that, as a general rule, a court will not grant an application for any matter
to be struck out from any affidavit because such matter is irrelevant unless it is satisfied
that the applicant will be prejudiced in his or her case if the alleged offending material
is not struck out.38 In the context of the facts of this case it is difficult to conceive of
any prejudice that the appellants will suffer if their application is declined. And none
has, in any event, been identified and articulated by the appellants.

[45] As to the evidence of Mr Stickells, it was argued that the high court erred in
considering such evidence 'in circumstances where the appellants [had] indicated
during argument that no reliance [was] placed on his evidence because [it] was
inadmissible.' Moreover, it was emphasised that Silverback did not, for its part, rely on
expert evidence at all. The point about the inadmissibility of Mr Stickells' expert
evidence must fail for essentially the same reason already stated in relation to Mr Du
Toit. The second contention that Silverback did not rely on expert evidence altogether
cannot avail Silverback because all three appeals were, for convenience and by

37 Compare: Michael and Another v Linksfield Park Clinic (Pty) Ltd and Another [2001] ZASCA 12; 2001
(3) SA 1138 (A) para 36. There, the remarks were made in the context of a delictual claim; Sentrachem
Ltd v Prinsloo 1977 (2) SA 1 (A) at 17A-D in which this Court held that the trial court was justified in
regarding the respondent and his son as expert witnesses because of their sophisticated farming
methods and scientific approach to farming.
38 See Uniform Rule 6(15).

agreement, dealt with together on the basis that they involved the same question of
law and based on facts as presented in the parties' affidavits.

Conclusion
[46] Therefore, for all the aforegoing reasons the appeal must fail. In the result the
following order is made:
The appeal is dismissed with costs, including the costs of two counsel.

__________________
X M PETSE
ACTING PRESIDENT
SUPREME COURT OF APPEAL

_________________________
N P MALI
ACTING JUDGE
SUPREME COURT OF APPEAL

APPEARANCES:

For the appellants:
JP Vorster SC (with him HJ Snyman)
Instructed by:

Shepstone & Wylie Attorneys, Johannesburg

Webbers Attorneys, Bloemfontein

For the respondent:
JA Meyer SC (with him L Harilal)
Instructed by:

State Attorney, Pretoria

State Attorney, Bloemfontein

THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEAL OF SOUTH AFRICA
MEDIA SUMMARY OF JUDGMENT DELIVERED IN THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEAL
From:
The Registrar, Supreme Court of Appeal
Date:

09 October 2023
Status:
Immediate
The following summary is for the benefit of the media in the reporting of this case and does not
form part of the judgments of the Supreme Court of Appeal
Silverback Technologies CC & Others v Commissioner, South African Revenue
Services [2023] ZASCA 128
Today, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) dismissed an appeal from the Gauteng Division of the High
Court, Pretoria. The appeal arose from three matters brought by the appellants, Silverback
Technologies CC, Omnico (Pty) Ltd and Cytek Cycle Distributors (the appellants), pertaining to the
same question of law which was addressed in a single judgment. The appeal revolved around the
classification of imported bicycle parts destined for assembly and the related customs duty payable on
such imports. Liability for customs duty attached to imported components if they bore the essential
characteristics of a bicycle, which was the contention of the respondent, the Commissioner for the South
African Revenue Service (SARS). The high court determined that SARS was correct in determining that
the goods were liable for import duty and this Court was tasked with determining whether the high court
was correct in confirming SARS' determination.

In order to determine whether the imported goods attracted import duties, this Court considered which
of the two relevant tariff headings, namely, 8712.00.10 or 8714.9 applied. If the former tariff heading
applied, customs duty would be payable and not in the case of the latter. The state of the law in regard
to classification of goods for purposes of import duty is well-established: the Court must have regard to
the ascertainment of the meaning of the words used in the relevant tariff headings, as well as the nature
and characteristics of the goods, and the Court must, in addition, consider the heading which is most
appropriate to such goods. In light of these factors, this Court considered the high court’s determination
that the imported goods were liable for payment of import duty.

Section 47(8)(a) of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964 (the Act) required the Court to also have
regard to the accompanying explanatory notes and headings. To this end, the appellants contended
that, upon a proper understanding of the tariff headings, the Act and the aforementioned criteria
regarding the classification of goods, wheels were the definitive aspect of a bicycle, and because the
imported components did not include wheels, they could not constitute an ‘essential characteristic’ of a
bicycle. However, SARS submitted that, in context, the essential character of a bicycle ought rather to
be determined with reference to all the components making up the consignments, not only certain
components.

To determine the question posed, this Court held that reliance on headings and explanatory notes when
classifying goods must be understood as intended to provide explanations and guidance; they were not
intended to override or contradict legislation. The Act held that any interpretation shall be subject to the
International Convention on Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding Systems adopted in
Brussels on 14 June 1983. This Court highlighted that the Harmonized System was the product of
international agreements between states and should be interpreted uniformly by our courts. As such,
courts are enjoined to interpret the Act and any tariff headings in a manner that is consistent with
international law. It held that the expression ‘the essential character of a bicycle’ must be interpreted

purposively and contextually. The wording of tariff heading 8712.00, as well as the interpretive notes,
were clear and unambiguous with regards to an incomplete or unfinished vehicle, namely a bicycle. The
tariff heading, as well as the explanatory notes did not refer to a collection of parts constituting a bicycle,
but to parts that have the ‘essential character’ of a bicycle.

Finally, in regard to the expert evidence presented by the parties, this Court, held that it was satisfied
that SARS' expert witness possessed sufficient training and experience, and that there was therefore
nothing militating against the acceptance of such evidence.

In the result, the SCA dismissed the appeal.

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