We test AliExpress in South Africa

airborne said:
There's lots of stuff I'd like to order on Aliexpress but some of the couriers they use nowdays are running an extortion racket charging up to R300 in handling fees just to clear the parcel through customs and on top of that charging ridiculous customs duties on things that should be exempt from duties and should have only VAT only levied, the main culprit being SpeedAf / Meili / iMile Logistics. Orders that come via SAPO may take a bit longer but do get here and you get charged reasonable handling fees and typically the correct duties/vat.

Trying to speak to anyone at these courier companies is futile, it's neigh impossible to reach anyone and if you are lucky enough to do so after literally hours of trying the person you speak to will be totally clueless and unhelpful, they will give rote rudimentary replies that address zero of the issues you bring up.

I'm positive they are running a scam which entails them ripping off both SARS and Aliexpress customers.
Up till now they seem to be brazen about doing it because no one with any clout is calling them out.
Taking it up with Aliexpress is typically futile because you are just talking with a stupid bot, there must be a way to get the message to them though.
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100% a scam. I had them drop their charges by half after involving a customs SARS official. We can't do this for every purchase though.
That use make believe charges, using a make believe R/$ exchange. You guys need to ask for invoices with HS codes listed.
 
Jet-Fighter7700 said:
same, never tried, but after my nightmare of ordering prescription glasses via Zenni that took 300 years via SAPO, and with me driving all over CPT trying to hunt it down,

not keep to try my luck again, although still curious what does standard shipment mean,
and is it worth using Aramex global shopper at any stage?
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Have been using Zenni->Aramex Global Shopper for years. Just be sure to use the correct drop address in Shanghai and request a proper invoice to upload for customs. Nothing like getting a pair for $150 that would have been R20k here.

Unit 1, Building 15, Lane 248 Huqingping Highway
Minhang District,Shanghai, [My Aramex account ref]
Shanghai, Shanghai 201105
CN
Tel: 864006318388
 
I came here to complain about Meili Logistics/Speedaf. The extortion puts me off the whole platform. It really needs calling out publicly because its just BS.
 
Follow up article here! May you experience the aroma of freshly roasted single origin coffee with notes of sweet berries and subtle hint of medium rare steak for the rest of the month, 24/7 @Hanno Labuschagne !!

mybroadband.co.za

One courier so bad that many South Africans prefer the Post Office for parcel deliveries

Meili Logistics has been accused of inflating customs duties on AliExpress, Temu, and Shein orders and pocketing the difference between what shoppers pay and what is actually due to Sars.
mybroadband.co.za mybroadband.co.za
 
Jan said:
We test AliExpress in South Africa

MyBroadband recently ordered a product from Chinese e-commerce giant AliExpress and was impressed by the item's quality, quick delivery time, and frequent order progress updates.

AliExpress was launched in 2010, offering customers around the world access to a wide range of cheap products from small sellers in China long before Temu and Shein entered the picture.
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Ordering one product isn't really a fair test. Is it?
 
jgegroups said:
Have been using Zenni->Aramex Global Shopper for years. Just be sure to use the correct drop address in Shanghai and request a proper invoice to upload for customs. Nothing like getting a pair for $150 that would have been R20k here.

Unit 1, Building 15, Lane 248 Huqingping Highway
Minhang District,Shanghai, [My Aramex account ref]
Shanghai, Shanghai 201105
CN
Tel: 864006318388
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Does aliexpress deliver to this?
 
mylesillidge

Thread 'Meili Logistics accused of inflating customs duties on AliExpress, Temu, and Shein'

One courier so bad that many South Africans prefer the Post Office for parcel deliveries

Numerous South African users of Chinese e-commerce marketplaces AliExpress, Temu, and Shein have accused one of their local fulfilment partners of overcharging them on customs duties and handling fees.

The issue is so severe that many of the shoppers say they would prefer that the South African Post Office handle their parcels, as its tax calculations were generally spot on.
  • Like
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  • Wow
 
airborne said:
There's lots of stuff I'd like to order on Aliexpress but some of the couriers they use nowdays are running an extortion racket charging up to R300 in handling fees just to clear the parcel through customs and on top of that charging ridiculous customs duties on things that should be exempt from duties and should have only VAT only levied, the main culprit being SpeedAf / Meili / iMile Logistics. Orders that come via SAPO may take a bit longer but do get here and you get charged reasonable handling fees and typically the correct duties/vat.

Trying to speak to anyone at these courier companies is futile, it's neigh impossible to reach anyone and if you are lucky enough to do so after literally hours of trying the person you speak to will be totally clueless and unhelpful, they will give rote rudimentary replies that address zero of the issues you bring up.

I'm positive they are running a scam which entails them ripping off both SARS and Aliexpress customers.
Up till now they seem to be brazen about doing it because no one with any clout is calling them out.
Taking it up with Aliexpress is typically futile because you are just talking with a stupid bot, there must be a way to get the message to them though.
Click to expand...
I'm assuming you can't pick who does the last mile logistics?
I just see "Aliexpress Standard" or "Aliexpress Premium" as options
 
Ordered parts on Aliexpress
Date: 05/05/2026
Received: 20/05/2026
Meili Courier: 15 Days - delivered at my door
Price: R73.78
Import Tax: R95.65
 
ToxicBunny said:
Only reason AliExpress fell off the radar for many people is their insistence on using SAPO to deliver, they've fixed that now, just need to keep an eye on their courier partner because they CAN be a bit incompetent at times.
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Stop being so unpatriotic :p
 
These are the options I get for a camera lens cover, costs R1,500 its a material thing that covers your lens.

Can't buy them in SA and on Amazon in america land they are double the price and also like R1,500 just for shipping and taxes!

Any idea which is a decent reliable shipping choice and if it doesn't arrive do you get your money back?

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Tongs of Destiny said:
These are the options I get for a camera lens cover, costs R1,500 its a material thing that covers your lens.

Can't buy them in SA and on Amazon in america land they are double the price and also like R1,500 just for shipping and taxes!

Any idea which is a decent reliable shipping choice and if it doesn't arrive do you get your money back?

View attachment 1911357
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Just use the AliExpress standard shipping, it either gets sent via a courier or Sapo, if it doesn't arrive within the correct period ask for a refund but make sure you ask within the protection window
 
RedViking said:
I know this is possibly a promotional article, but I'm sad that not more research was done into Speedaf / Meili. This article does not tell the true story but a single experience. Just a little bit of research, 15 minutes of your day and you will start realising They are thieves and charge outrageous fees and holding customers to ransom. They are outright scammers. Something needs to be done about this. They are very difficult to contact and the whatsapp numbers they give you does not work.

Very disappointed that none of this was mentioned.
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I can confirm that AliExpress (using SpeedAF and Meili) are still extorting customers. There is no choice: the shop owner states "Free Shipping" which I use because it makes it easier to perform comparisons.

I finally received notification last week where I was forced to pay between 65 and 80% of the original price as "Duties and Taxes" in order to release them. Not great when one of the items was around 6K.

These days, I stay well away from AliExpress.
 
Thorium said:
I can confirm that AliExpress (using SpeedAF and Meili) are still extorting customers. There is no choice: the shop owner states "Free Shipping" which I use because it makes it easier to perform comparisons.

I finally received notification last week where I was forced to pay between 65 and 80% of the original price as "Duties and Taxes" in order to release them. Not great when one of the items was around 6K.

These days, I stay well away from AliExpress.
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I also tried them again for the first time in years and speedaf made sure they are back on the ignore list. No point in using aliexpress if you end up paying more for the item than locally because of the courier.
 
so yay or nay ordering from aliexpress? and can you order multiple items at once like with temu have never used aliexpress i haven't even registered yet but i need items which isn't available at a reasonable take an l if it doesn't work out
 
I gave Aliexpress a bash a month or 2 back for some items that I couldn't find on Temu or Amazon etc.
First batch was fine, with quick delivery and so-so 'fees'.
Next batch had issues with items left out of the package , and really high fees. Tried to get a refund, but no joy. Wanted a unboxing video to prove the items were short-shipped.
I'll stick to Temu for the chinese stuff - no extra fees and a customer first complaints policy.
Pity.
 
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