Aramex global shopper

My parcel from New York arrived in Jhb on Wednesday, that is 4 days after they've received it in NY. I've mail Olivia for assistance to get it released from customs, she mailed the clearance team to open a file for my shipment. Yesterday they replied "File opened and sent for clearance, please allow2-3 working days for the formal clearance". Let's hope it gets cleared soon.
 
Would anyone perhaps know why a phone purchased from Gearbest would be held at customs and the NCRS requiring a LOA (Letter of Authority) ?

Aramex just don't give a crap - all they're saying is I need to call NCRS to find out what to do next. Been trying to do that for 5 days with no luck.

I'm completely stumped on this one and have no clue where to from here. Aramex are completely useless in providing any sort of information. Item has now been in SA for 20 days
 
There is a collaboration between NRCS and ICASA. So I assume it is an ICASA type approval issue, or some other technical compliance issue. Phone someone at NRCS and have a chat with them.
 
MegaTesla said:
There is a collaboration between NRCS and ICASA. So I assume it is an ICASA type approval issue, or some other technical compliance issue. Phone someone at NRCS and have a chat with them.
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Yeah. Despite their failings in other areas, Aramex have to go by the book. If the phone is not available here (the new Oneplus One maybe?) I believe you have to get icasa approval.
I'm not sure of all the facts yet, (I could be wrong)... but it is one reason why I haven't ordered a fancy phone from overseas yet.
 
MEIOT said:
Would anyone perhaps know why a phone purchased from Gearbest would be held at customs and the NCRS requiring a LOA (Letter of Authority) ?

Aramex just don't give a crap - all they're saying is I need to call NCRS to find out what to do next. Been trying to do that for 5 days with no luck.

I'm completely stumped on this one and have no clue where to from here. Aramex are completely useless in providing any sort of information. Item has now been in SA for 20 days
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At that point I start telling Aramex to get fscked and load a dispute onto my credit card for the charges they've already levied if you've paid them. You are paying them to do this shyte for you.
 
ToxicBunny said:
At that point I start telling Aramex to get fscked and load a dispute onto my credit card for the charges they've already levied if you've paid them. You are paying them to do this shyte for you.
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Aaaaaagh, I ordered some stepper motors I need for a project and convinced the AliExpress seller to send it AGS's China address. I didn't check the unacceptable list (my mistake). For some reason, China, and only China states the following for unacceptable good:
Any shipment containing motors, magnets or pumps needs to undergo a magnetic inspection before it can be shipped
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But reading that, it doesn't say they can't ship it all, I just says it needs to be inspected first. I checked the motors I have and you can hold pieces of steel next it to them and there is no magnetic field, or at least not enough to hold up a coin. They haven't given me the inspection report, all they want is a return address or instruction to dispose of the items. Oh well, lesson learned.
 
An LOA (Letter of Authority) for a phone though?

I fear I may never see this phone I ordered! :(
 
MEIOT said:
An LOA (Letter of Authority) for a phone though?

I fear I may never see this phone I ordered! :(
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There's Gearbest forum on MYBB, maybe try posting there, I have seen someone who is supposedly a representative from Gearbest

Hope you get your phone eventually
 
I've not used it, but for those who have, how is MyUS?

Take for example a package of 1.3 KG. On AGS, it'll cost R409.00 to courier to SA.

I had a quick look at MyUS and for a 1.3 KG package, delivery to SA would cost $31.99 (~R404) for their "Small Pack Saver" option or $32.92 (~R429) for their "Budget Economy" option.

The basic costs of MyUS are practically the same as AGS.

Given the service levels from AGS, might MyUS be an alternative (if you're shopping in the US of course)?
 
recre8 said:
Aaaaaagh, I ordered some stepper motors I need for a project and convinced the AliExpress seller to send it AGS's China address. I didn't check the unacceptable list (my mistake). For some reason, China, and only China states the following for unacceptable good:
But reading that, it doesn't say they can't ship it all, I just says it needs to be inspected first. I checked the motors I have and you can hold pieces of steel next it to them and there is no magnetic field, or at least not enough to hold up a coin. They haven't given me the inspection report, all they want is a return address or instruction to dispose of the items. Oh well, lesson learned.
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I have just had something slightly similar happen to me. I ordered 2 x Google Home Minis from an eBay seller for $74.

Seller sent $74 worth of nail polish to NY.

NY screamed.
US 9337548021 KOHLS.COM Unacceptable Nail Polish 05/21/18

I screamed and disputed through eBay. Seller immediately rolled and I got my $74 returned.

Now, I really, really want that nail polish. $74 bucks worth, something for nothing...damn, gonna get destroyed.

I asked if NY can send seamail. I don't expect a reply.
 
DeeinSouthAfrica said:
I have just had something slightly similar happen to me. I ordered 2 x Google Home Minis from an eBay seller for $74.

Seller sent $74 worth of nail polish to NY.

NY screamed.
US 9337548021 KOHLS.COM Unacceptable Nail Polish 05/21/18

I screamed and disputed through eBay. Seller immediately rolled and I got my $74 returned.

Now, I really, really want that nail polish. $74 bucks worth, something for nothing...damn, gonna get destroyed.

I asked if NY can send seamail. I don't expect a reply.
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Hahaha, I sometimes wonder why AGS has some very odd restrictions, that normal Aramex doesn't have.

I phoned the telephone number given with the AGS China address, but despite it being office hours in China, it never gets answered. AGS in JHB has forwarded my explanation and invoice to China AGS, but after a few days, nothing has changed yet.

Did you get your Google Home Mini's? I ordered one a while ago when it was $30. It arrived, but I ended up not using it, because I prefer the Echo dots.
 
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recre8 said:
Hahaha, I sometimes wonder why AGS has some very odd restrictions, that normal Aramex doesn't have.

I phoned the telephone number given with the AGS China address, but despite it being office hours in China, it never gets answered. AGS in JHB has forwarded my explanation and invoice to China AGS, but after a few days, nothing has changed yet.

Did you get your Google Home Mini's? I ordered one a while ago when it was $30. It arrived, but I ended up not using it, because I prefer the Echo dots.
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I also complained about the fact that Shanghai are slow at answering their phone. I asked for a cellphone number, but apparently they don't have one.

I did get the Home Minis and the Google Home and the Echo's and the Dots. I sell them on Gumtree and can never get enough in.
 
Hi Guys, Does anyone have any knowledge about the less than R500 customs rule and how it is enforced? I had a package where the incorrect value was cleared resulting in +-R400 import duties where it should have been nothing? Can it be fixed at all or is it a lost cause?
 
From Aramex page:
Import Duties and Fees
The customs valuation is based on FOB (Free On Board) which means that the amount used to assess customs duty and VAT is the sum of the cost of goods and inland charges at origin up until on board a flight or vessel.
Customs tariff applicable on imported goods depend on HS Codes
The standard rate of VAT imposed on imported goods into South Africa is 15%
Imports shipped under International Express (i.e. courier) with a declared value below ZAR 500, are generally treated as duty free. However, customs may at any stage request a formal customs clearance (SAD500) and in such cases, may attract Duties and VAT charges.

Goods with declared value of more than a ZAR 500 will be treated as normal cargo goods, and will require a formal customs clearance.
 
Sayitlikeitis said:
Hi Guys, Does anyone have any knowledge about the less than R500 customs rule and how it is enforced? I had a package where the incorrect value was cleared resulting in +-R400 import duties where it should have been nothing? Can it be fixed at all or is it a lost cause?
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Look at your parcel history (on the Aramex Global Shopper webpage) for an attached SAD500. You find that, then you know customs did a check. Once duty is applied you cannot appeal as SARS has the last word.
 
DeeinSouthAfrica said:
Look at your parcel history (on the Aramex Global Shopper webpage) for an attached SAD500. You find that, then you know customs did a check. Once duty is applied you cannot appeal as SARS has the last word.
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Thanks you. Already have a SAD500. It's so unnecessary, now I have to pay all those duties.
 
Sayitlikeitis said:
Thanks you. Already have a SAD500. It's so unnecessary, now I have to pay all those duties.
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Once SARS has their claws into you and the SAD500 is issued you cannot appeal. Believe me, I tried.

In 2016 I was fined R1500 + R1297.50 because the seller had included an invoice of $30 USD in a shipment of $185 USD.
I had declared the shipment at $185 USD, so I was actually in the right and totally innocent, but SARS customs did not want to know.
I also had to pay DHL their R900 to bring parcel in.

Lesson learned. Order through a shipper like Aramex Global Shopper. Parcel goes to Origin, not direct to SA. Origin then checks parcel and sends to South Africa. They declare value to SARS customs. If the amount declared and the amount on invoice do not agree that's their fault, not mine.

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