Ordering off Aliexpress? Advice?

[Stephan Maritz]

hope it is couirer as i need this item urgently , btw drone battery?

The drone battery I never received, thanks to SAPO.

I never had a choice of delivery method.

At the time there was a shortage of DJI Neo 2 batteries, but subsequently I found them on Bobshop.

 

[Spontaneous spinach]

The drone battery I never received, thanks to SAPO.

I never had a choice of delivery method.

At the time there was a shortage of DJI Neo 2 batteries, but subsequently I found them on Bobshop.

even me need another battery but you aren't afraid these chinese batteries might give false readings and bam in the ocean it will go?

 

[Sparlettac]

Ordered some sonoff smart breakers for R983 from aliexpress, and they sent me the email for customs payment at a ridiculous R 579 (using speedaf/meili).

What's the best way to get them to double check this?

 

[DarkStarMonday]

Ordered some sonoff smart breakers for R983 from aliexpress, and they sent me the email for customs payment at a ridiculous R 579 (using speedaf/meili).

What's the best way to get them to double check this?

Sound about right for electronic equipment.

Customs is around + - 30 % plus handling and delivery ( courier ) and distance.

 

[Sparlettac]

Sound about right for electronic equipment.

Customs is around + - 30 % plus handling and delivery ( courier ) and distance.

Incorrect.
The legitimate government tax (0% duty on smart switch, and 15% VAT on the uplifted value) should only be roughly R162.

 

[sgs]

Ordered some sonoff smart breakers for R983 from aliexpress, and they sent me the email for customs payment at a ridiculous R 579 (using speedaf/meili).

What's the best way to get them to double check this?

The only contact details I have for them are the same as on their website: [email protected] or whatsapp +27 72 139 5903. At a minimum, ask for a breakdown of the charges and the tariff heading of the declaration.

If you are successful to challenge them, you'll be the first that I know of. They're known to charge ridiculous handling fees that increase rapidly with item value and getting hold if them is near impossible. (I've tried before and received no answer whatsoever.)

I agree with you though - a "smart switch" should be close to zero duty and just VAT on 110% of the value + the handling fee. If it was incorrectly declared as a circuit breaker, it might fall into the 15% category though. In the latter case: R162 for VAT, R162 for duty and the remainder probably probably R220 handling (+ 15% VAT = R254). I would not be surprised at all...

 

[Sparlettac]

The only contact details I have for them are the same as on their website: [email protected] or whatsapp +27 72 139 5903. At a minimum, ask for a breakdown of the charges and the tariff heading of the declaration.

If you are successful to challenge them, you'll be the first that I know of. They're known to charge ridiculous handling fees that increase rapidly with item value and getting hold if them is near impossible. (I've tried before and received no answer whatsoever.)

I agree with you though - a "smart switch" should be close to zero duty and just VAT on 110% of the value + the handling fee. If it was incorrectly declared as a circuit breaker, it might fall into the 15% category though. In the latter case: R162 for VAT, R162 for duty and the remainder probably probably R220 handling (+ 15% VAT = R254). I would not be surprised at all...

Thanks. Much appreciated. Will try and worst comes to worst will just pay it. Bad luck eh

 

[DarkStarMonday]

Incorrect.
The legitimate government tax (0% duty on smart switch, and 15% VAT on the uplifted value) should only be roughly R162.

Incorrect

SARS and customs work differently to a google search, it starts from 0% and can go up to 30% depending on the following:

Value
Origin / declaration
Tarrif
Handling fee

Your standard Courier shipping fee in SA is around R150 - R200 ( not including FEDEX, Courier GUY, DHL ) these bigger companies will charge lower prices as the can absorb the cost compared to a small nyana company.

It seems to be the handling fee that gets ( urks ) most people in a tizz.

 

[system32]

Ordered some sonoff smart breakers for R983 from aliexpress, and they sent me the email for customs payment at a ridiculous R 579 (using speedaf/meili).

What's the best way to get them to double check this?

Was the order split - one per item?

I ordered 3 x TASMOTA Wifi MCB Smart Switch 1-63A at R299.54 each = ~R900 including free delivery via iMile
The problem is that they split the order into 3 so I had to pay:
3 x iMile Customs, VAT and clearing fees R165.20 = R495.60
I suspect the bulk of the R495.60 cost is the iMile clearing/handling fees.
I did ask iMile for "SARS Customs Worksheet / SAD 500 forms" but no answer yet.
I did try logging an issue with aliexpress AI, but AI got confused.
I'll post my review shortly....

I asked the driver why the split? He said it's a problem - customers have order 5 cheap USB sticks -> 5 deliveries.

 

[Sparlettac]

Was the order split - one per item?

I ordered 3 x TASMOTA Wifi MCB Smart Switch 1-63A at R299.54 each = ~R900 including free delivery via iMile
The problem is that they split the order into 3 so I had to pay:
3 x iMile Customs, VAT and clearing fees R165.20 = R495.60
I suspect the bulk of the R495.60 cost is the iMile clearing/handling fees.
I did ask iMile for "SARS Customs Worksheet / SAD 500 forms" but no answer yet.
I did try logging an issue with aliexpress AI, but AI got confused.
I'll post my review shortly....

I asked the driver why the split? He said it's a problem - customers have order 5 cheap USB sticks -> 5 deliveries.

It was all together in one shipment

 

[Sparlettac]

The only contact details I have for them are the same as on their website: [email protected] or whatsapp +27 72 139 5903. At a minimum, ask for a breakdown of the charges and the tariff heading of the declaration.

If you are successful to challenge them, you'll be the first that I know of. They're known to charge ridiculous handling fees that increase rapidly with item value and getting hold if them is near impossible. (I've tried before and received no answer whatsoever.)

I agree with you though - a "smart switch" should be close to zero duty and just VAT on 110% of the value + the handling fee. If it was incorrectly declared as a circuit breaker, it might fall into the 15% category though. In the latter case: R162 for VAT, R162 for duty and the remainder probably probably R220 handling (+ 15% VAT = R254). I would not be surprised at all...

Recieved the documents from them and you are correct, it was declared from the supplier as circuit breakers so 15% duty apart from the vat and service fee.