Wanna import a laptop but I'm scared:(

[Saltex]

So I want to import a asus g74sx, but I'm just to scared to do it, anyone done this? Also what are the usual extra costs when getting the item here, also what would be a good site to buy from?

[hereticangel]

hmm my g51vx got here safety with no problems using dhl express worldwide, it cost, but they do not let you down.

i bought laptop from ebay and used a mail forwarding company .

[Pooky]

I bought my macbook air direct from a seller on ebay, he send it via USPS and it got here very quickly. I had to pay VAT on R5000.00 as they put that as the value. Thankfully they didn't put the full value!!!

[Speedster]

I had a friend deliver my MacBook Pro I bought online from Hong Kong with no issues. You are charged 14% vat on 110% of the value.

[Saltex]

******noob question alert******

So do i have to pay import duties etc.? So there is no way of me getting the item with having to pay any additional costs?

[Pooky]

******noob question alert******

So do i have to pay import duties etc.? So there is no way of me getting the item with having to pay any additional costs?

Yeah most probably you will, unless they mark it as a gift, but most people won't do that, and it's also risky.

[Cassady]

Hey all...

Looking at the above, not sure if it really makes much sense.
Going over to Canada for a conference - was thinking of buying the small Macbook Air..

By the calculations I've found [1,029.00CAD = 8,286.00ZAR *1.1 *0.14 = 1,276.00ZAR VAT], which brings the total up to R9,562.00...

Considering that new price on the MacBook Air through ZAStore is R10 499,00 - and I can still get a R500 student discount, their is little sense in going this way, to bring in a Grey Import...

The only benefit would be if I were to walk through the green zone, and take the chance by not declaring - since then I would obviously save considerably more...

[Juzz Wuzz]

So am I correct when saying, when you fly back with a laptop and declare through customs you pay Rxxx * 1.1 * 0.14 to get the amount to pay at the airport?

I've looked into getting one from Incredible and if I use the above calculation, the price IC quoted is almost double that if I bring one home with me!

[Cassady]

So am I correct when saying, when you fly back with a laptop and declare through customs you pay Rxxx * 1.1 * 0.14 to get the amount to pay at the airport?

I've looked into getting one from Incredible and if I use the above calculation, the price IC quoted is almost double that if I bring one home with me!

That's what I've managed to figure out, by trawling through some sites. I presume the one you're eyeing is not Apple - since I cannot get my sums to justify it. After paying VAT, the difference is too close to warrant going overseas.

[ChilliGirl]

Remove it from the box and place it in a laptop bag....

[ld13]

Remove it from the box and place it in a laptop bag....

...and how would that help? When you leave the country you are advised to register your valuable personal possessions afaik ... or something like that. So on return with your 'old' laptop you may end up paying import duties for your 'old' laptop because you did not register with customs or whoever that you are exporting the laptop with you.

[SYNERGY]

Customs generally allows you one cellphone,one laptop and one camera without declaring.

Well at least here at Durban airport.

[stevenv]

Think it all depends who you get at customs. We've been advised to record all electronics leaving the country, and this was by customs. They could want to charge duty and/or VAT unless you can prove you bought it locally. Similar problems with goods commonly counterfeited and imported, especially so if going to a country of dodgy reputation for not-so-legitimate products.

[ChilliGirl]

...and how would that help? When you leave the country you are advised to register your valuable personal possessions afaik ... or something like that. So on return with your 'old' laptop you may end up paying import duties for your 'old' laptop because you did not register with customs or whoever that you are exporting the laptop with you.

I have never declared any tech equipment leaving....

Even cash I want with me while say in the UK. I leave with it in my pocket and convert on arrival there.

Some exchange places will then return your left over cash to rands free of charge permitting you got it from them in the last 30days.

[Juzz Wuzz]

That's what I've managed to figure out, by trawling through some sites. I presume the one you're eyeing is not Apple - since I cannot get my sums to justify it. After paying VAT, the difference is too close to warrant going overseas.

Nah, it was a customised Dell lappy, I dont quite get how they justify the super high price, maybe they add 50% on as "effort" for them organising it. Good to know how much I can expect to pay.