Customs

[Sysem]

This is driving me crazy. Trying to find a specific underwater housing for a camera in SA hasn't worked. Amazon has it, and will surprisingly ship it to SA, but I'm worried what I'll be paying for customs. Does anyone know how it works/what the charges are for such an item? Couldn't find anything usefull on the web.

Thanks

[ToxicBunny]

You will pay what Customs figure you should pay.. but it will PROBABLY be around 10% + VAT of the purchase price.. unless camera equipment (which it will be marked as) has a higher duty.

[Le^stat]

Try using Take 2's Amazon import service.

[Sysem]

Try using Take 2's Amazon import service.

Have no idea what that is, but sounds worth looking into :p off to Take2's website.

[Sysem]

Oh wow, Take 2's Amazon import is way too expensive. Almost double. So unless that's all customs and tax, its a huge markup.

[ToxicBunny]

its a huge markup...

[Sysem]

its a huge markup...

Yeah. If it was 10% + VAT I'd think about it. Take 2 is out the question.
Sofar the best option is finding a friend coming over soon who can get it for me.

[brettwlewis]

If your item is say $500 with $70 shipping charges (at R7:$), I'd expect your best case (i.e cheapest price) to be around the R5k.

If customs calls for the parcel to be formally cleared, add on R500-1000.
If the parcel is stopped for inspection add on R1500-2000.
Both of these eventualities have a slim chance of happening, but I have had the pleasure of both happening to me in the last few years - but I do import products a few times a month for resale purposes.

An underwater enclosure should not attract any duty, if specified under the correct tariff heading.

If you PM me with more details of the product, I'll give you a quote on bringing it in for you. I could possibly put it in one of my existing shipments, for a nominal fee.

[cbrunsdonza]

Oh wow, Take 2's Amazon import is way too expensive. Almost double. So unless that's all customs and tax, its a huge markup.

Is the item sold by Amazon-US themselves or through a partner? If its a partner then it will be more expensive. I'm ordered a couple of things from Amazon via Take2 and its always been cheaper than going direct. Keep in mind that if SARS decides you need a clearing agent, then any saving going direct is wasted.

Also email Take2 and see if they are willing to negotiate.

[Sysem]

Is the item sold by Amazon-US themselves or through a partner? If its a partner then it will be more expensive. I'm ordered a couple of things from Amazon via Take2 and its always been cheaper than going direct. Keep in mind that if SARS decides you need a clearing agent, then any saving going direct is wasted.

Also email Take2 and see if they are willing to negotiate.

Actually Amazon-UK. Not by them directly, its a partner. All the UK based shops that sell this housing, are between £160-£170. Hell of a lot cheaper than R3600. Sometimes I wish I lived in the UK :(

[brettwlewis]

What camera is it for?

[Sysem]

The Fujifilm F500EXR

[brettwlewis]

The WP-FXF500 casing is not yet available from any of my suppliers, sorry.

And the Seashell SS-1 enclosures we have, look to be too small for the lens on your camera.

[Sysem]

The WP-FXF500 casing is not yet available from any of my suppliers, sorry.

And the Seashell SS-1 enclosures we have, look to be too small for the lens on your camera.

Thanks anyway, looks like a might have a friend in UK coming here soon. While on the topic, if I get a friend to bring the camera + housing over, what would she have to do to avoid duties/tax? I know this will void the warranty, but considering the amount I'm saving, I'm willing to take the risk.

[ponder]

Couldn't find anything usefull on the web.


Did you bother going to the SARS site and downloading Schedule 1 Part1: Customs, Excise and Sales Duties and Surcharges?

If you did you would see camera equipment, accessories and cases are duty free so you will be paying 10% + 14% VAT.

[Sysem]

Did you bother going to the SARS site and downloading Schedule 1 Part1: Customs, Excise and Sales Duties and Surcharges?

If you did you would see camera equipment, accessories and cases are duty free so you will be paying 10% + 14% VAT.

I did, only thing I could find was who was exempt from custom duties for people travelling. Thanks though, will keep that in mind

[brettwlewis]

To avoid tax she'd have to take the "nothing to declare" passage through customs and hope for the best.

Or - someone please correct me if I'm wrong - she could buy the stuff in the duty free at her airport of departure.

[Sysem]

To avoid tax she'd have to take the "nothing to declare" passage through customs and hope for the best.

Or - someone please correct me if I'm wrong - she could buy the stuff in the duty free at her airport of departure.

If she took the "nothing to declare" with an opened camera, would they classify it as tourist items?

[brettwlewis]

I'm not sure how it works flying out of the UK.

When you fly out of SA you complete a customs declaration form specifying all high value items along with each's with serial number. Then, if anyone queries, you can prove that you started your journey off with the stuff.

[Sysem]

I'm not sure how it works flying out of the UK.

When you fly out of SA you complete a customs declaration form specifying all high value items along with each's with serial number. Then, if anyone queries, you can prove that you started your journey off with the stuff.

Ok great. Hopefully she'll know the laws regarding it. Thanks for all the help

[steel_dog]

Dude... if Take2 is too expensive then you might want to order it directly using a re-mailer.
Borderlinx has a landed cost calc: www.borderlinx.com
There's also myus.com and usa2me.com.
G'Luck.

[Sysem]

Dude... if Take2 is too expensive then you might want to order it directly using a re-mailer.
Borderlinx has a landed cost calc: www.borderlinx.com
There's also myus.com and usa2me.com.
G'Luck.

Thanks, I took a look at those options too.

[cbrunsdonza]

Actually Amazon-UK. Not by them directly, its a partner. All the UK based shops that sell this housing, are between £160-£170. Hell of a lot cheaper than R3600. Sometimes I wish I lived in the UK :(

OK, Take2 are not cheap on the UK portal.

Just order direct from a UK store, very easy. I've ordered a couple of sports good this year from Ireland without issue, except the mandatory customs. Order using Parcelforce (international leg of Royal Mail) and then just pay your SAPO the customs.

[kingmilo]

Amazon will charge you duty based on their calculation for our country and the specific product, it's all done in the calculation when you select your shipping method.

Amazon gives the benefit of the doubt with regards to duty to customs so in some cases you may pay a slightly higher duty. Once delivered Amazon will get a report with the correct duty amount and if thus amount is less than what was charged Amazon will refund your credit card.

If your interested in working out the duty on your product yourself for interests sake you can do so online, look for south african custom tarrif codes.

[Sysem]

Amazon will charge you duty based on their calculation for our country and the specific product, it's all done in the calculation when you select your shipping method.

Amazon gives the benefit of the doubt with regards to duty to customs so in some cases you may pay a slightly higher duty. Once delivered Amazon will get a report with the correct duty amount and if thus amount is less than what was charged Amazon will refund your credit card.

If your interested in working out the duty on your product yourself for interests sake you can do so online, look for south african custom tarrif codes.

Ah I understand. Also worried about the delivery in SA. The last time I ordered from a shop in the US, the courier charged me R800 for delivery.

[kingmilo]

Amazon ships to your door, there are no hidden costs, plus your goods are insured against theft and damage.

[Sysem]

Amazon ships to your door, there are no hidden costs, plus your goods are insured against theft and damage.

Great thanks, if it doesn't work out with my friend, amazon it will be.

[cbrunsdonza]

Ah I understand. Also worried about the delivery in SA. The last time I ordered from a shop in the US, the courier charged me R800 for delivery.


Some courier companies are clearing agents and will include customs into their price.

[ponder]

I did, only thing I could find was who was exempt from custom duties for people travelling. Thanks though, will keep that in mind

For future reference look here http://www.sars.gov.za/home.asp?pid=2630, you want Schedule No. 1 Part 1