Aramex global shopper

[DeeinSouthAfrica]

Eish, I might have to cough up as well. Maybe SARS is busy with a fundraiser.

If I may ask what was the contents / classification of the parcel?

As with my last 6 shipments, it is a bluetooth speaker. This time a JBL FLIP 3.

 

[MrJacques]

Mine should be duty free (safety razors - classified under Health & Beauty) but does have VAT.

Did Aramex also charge their customs clearance fees?

Edit: I've had many similar parcels shipped and until now haven't had to pay any customs, so I guess I can't really complain if I need to this time.

 

[DeeinSouthAfrica]

Mine should be duty free (safety razors - classified under Health & Beauty) but does have VAT.

Did Aramex also charge their customs clearance fees?

Edit: I've had many similar parcels shipped and until now haven't had to pay any customs, so I guess I can't really complain if I need to this time.

Don't be silly, of course they added their cut. Total was R89.74, and then they added on that bloody R50 that I have disputed before.

 

[MrJacques]

Why the dispute? I thought from Aramex's FAQ that the fee was their standard practice for anything requiring formal customs clearance.

 

[DeeinSouthAfrica]

Disputed as in complained, as they levied it on a small parcel with an amount way under R400. Unfortunately, if customs get it, there is nothing anyone can do.

BTW, I was looking through the AGS FAQ and I found this:
WHAT CUSTOMS DUTIES AND VAT CAN I EXPECT TO PAY FOR MY SHIPMENT?
In terms of SARS Importing Act, Customs VAT and Duties may be levied on your shipment and charged to your account.

AGS will pay these Customs VAT and Duties on your behalf and upload the charges to your AGS checkout for convenient payment.

Here are some common items and their respective Customs Duties:

Duties VAT

Beauty Supplies 20% 14%

Books 0% 14%

Brochures 15% 14%

Handbag 30% 14%

Calculator 0% 14%

Car Accessories & Spare Parts 20% 14%

Catalogues 15% 14%

CD’s Computer Data 0% 14%

CD’s Games 7% 14%

CD’s Programs 0% 14%

Clothing 45% 14%

Computer Equipment 0% 14%

CD’s, Movies, Songs 0% 14%

Cables 15% 14%

DVD’s 0% 14%

DVD Player 7% 14%

DVD Program 0% 14%

Data Cartridge (for printers) 0% 14%

Digital Camera 7% 14%

Guitar 0% 14%

iPad 0% 14%

Archos Internet Tablet 0% 14%

iPhone 7% 14%

iPod 7% 14%

Laptop 0% 14%

LCD Screen Computer 0% 14%

LCD Screen TV 25% 14%

Magazines 0% 14%

Makeup 20% 14%

Mobile 7% 14%

Mobile Charger 0% 14%

PlayStation 7% 14%

Poster 0% 14%

Radio 7% 14%

Shoes 30% 14%

Soap 20% 14%

Sports Equipment 0% 14%

Stationery 20% 14%

Supplements 20% 14%

Toys 0% 14%

VHS Tapes 0% 14%

Video Camera 7% 14%

Wallet 30% 14%

Watch 0% 14%

Web Camera 7% 14%

Wii 7% 14%

 

[MrJacques]

Handy list, thanks

Seems like I might need to pay more than I thought. I have to assume that all my previous parcels didn't attract any attention from Customs, but this one did.

 

[X-Gamer]

Don't see why this won't do:
https://classic.aramex.com/news/item.aspx?ID=6c1bc753-b7c1-4c87-9fcc-39089e94edc1

Thank you linking the invoice template.

Just some clarification on the invoice template, does this look okay?

 

[MrJacques]

So my parcel has cleared customs with no extra costs, yay!

However, it has a new status that I haven't seen before:

"Shipment Update - shjipment currently in vc @ Aramex jhb undels"

Does anyone know what this means? This shipment has been interesting with all kinds of statuses I haven't seen before.

 

[Ho3n3r]

So my parcel has cleared customs with no extra costs, yay!

However, it has a new status that I haven't seen before:

"Shipment Update - shjipment currently in vc @ Aramex jhb undels"

Does anyone know what this means? This shipment has been interesting with all kinds of statuses I haven't seen before.

After them saying it's in VC on my last order, it was the last phase before delivery to my regional hub took place, so it will be delivered in the next few working days, hopefully.

 

[DeeinSouthAfrica]

Thank you linking the invoice template.

Just some clarification on the invoice template, does this look okay?

View attachment 436874

Looks totally professional.

 

[DeeinSouthAfrica]

Just be certain that the amount you are declaring is the same as any invoice or cash receipt they may have included in the parcel.

 

[X-Gamer]

Great, thanks. Yes, the value on the receipt is the same.

Looks like the Shipment status was updated from "Awaiting Invoice", to "In account". Thanks again for the template.

 

[DeeinSouthAfrica]

My order received by Aramex NY on 3 May should finally be delivered tomorrow.
Total nightmare. Seller did not include AGS customer number, but I was tracking it and informed Olivia after a day that it was not showing up. She checked with NY, and I swear they couldn't find it for a week.
It finally got to JHB on 12 May, where customs grabbed it and added duty onto the $27 USD I paid for the item. WTF? $27 is under the R400 thus should have been duty-free.
Totally not happy.
I have another order just placed on eBay. This time I am using Postbox-Courier. Total is $85, so I hope like hell they don't screw it up.

 

[DUDE!@##$%%]

My order received by Aramex NY on 3 May should finally be delivered tomorrow.
Total nightmare. Seller did not include AGS customer number, but I was tracking it and informed Olivia after a day that it was not showing up. She checked with NY, and I swear they couldn't find it for a week.
It finally got to JHB on 12 May, where customs grabbed it and added duty onto the $27 USD I paid for the item. WTF? $27 is under the R400 thus should have been duty-free.
Totally not happy.
I have another order just placed on eBay. This time I am using Postbox-Courier. Total is $85, so I hope like hell they don't screw it up.

what was the item?

 

[DeeinSouthAfrica]

what was the item?

"Item" is quite a few different Original OEM Samsung S Pens. Mainly Note 5 and Tab A. I get them in and quietly farm them out to friends as the prices from the official stores is totally unreal.

 

[Tinuva]

Managed to send my first parcel to the HongKong address...was interesting.

Seller asked me to give the address in Chinese...
Used Google translate and sent a google.cn/maps url, which seemed to work.

Then AGS sends me a mail item weighs 3KG !!!
Luckily they corrected it before I read the mail and sent it through as 0.30KG which is what I expected. So +1 for that.

 

[MrJacques]

My parcel was delivered this morning Took 2 days longer than usual due to customs, but at least it survived the journey without breakages. Still way better and faster than SAPO.

Dee, that sucks, Customs should only have charged you VAT at most. From what I've heard PBC service is tops.

I've had an item shipped without the Aramex customer number and it also caused a bit of a delay. Rather put it in address line 1 than 2 as some sellers don't put in the full address.

 

[DeeinSouthAfrica]

My parcel was delivered this morning Took 2 days longer than usual due to customs, but at least it survived the journey without breakages. Still way better and faster than SAPO.

Dee, that sucks, Customs should only have charged you VAT at most. From what I've heard PBC service is tops.

I've had an item shipped without the Aramex customer number and it also caused a bit of a delay. Rather put it in address line 1 than 2 as some sellers don't put in the full address.

My parcel was also delivered today, so all's well. Yeah, I now put the customer account number first, then my name. I can't put it on line 2 or 3 as eBay are very fussy about the address.

 

[Ho3n3r]

My parcel was delivered this morning Took 2 days longer than usual due to customs, but at least it survived the journey without breakages. Still way better and faster than SAPO.

Dee, that sucks, Customs should only have charged you VAT at most. From what I've heard PBC service is tops.

I've had an item shipped without the Aramex customer number and it also caused a bit of a delay. Rather put it in address line 1 than 2 as some sellers don't put in the full address.

Yeah. You pretty much get what you pay for with Aramex - which is unpredictability, varying customs costs and delivery times etc.

But I have yet to find anyone who does it for less, including some 3rd party services, and - touch wood - they have a 100% record so far. So what if it takes a little longer - I have to get on their case every time, but again, I expect it by now, and I can live with the extra PT as they don't cost an arm and a leg.

 

[lived666]

Yeah. You pretty much get what you pay for with Aramex - which is unpredictability, varying customs costs and delivery times etc.

Yeah, had to use them for the first time in a year and the unpredictability is the killer - the receiving depot haven't logged in the parcel delivered a few days ago so now they have to open a case and yada yada yada meanwhile you have no idea whats going on.