Aramex global shopper

[enerdude]

I've used aramex once, but i just need to know something.. We pay the aramex fee when the item arrives so they can deliver to us... But we have to still pay customs right?

You pay them by weight to ship to SA, then customs when it arrives. As far as I know, included in the customs payment is import duty, VAT and usually R50 disbursement fee for them to clear it.

 

[enerdude]

Thanks to all that answered my questions on the last few pages. Like I said, it was my first time using AGS and so far the experience was good. Some people told me the limit was 3 imports per year before needing an importers code, others said 6. Basically I was just hoping for the best when I started counting my imports so far this year: (this only after buying the item on ebay that was going via AGS):

2x electronic items on gearbest (used their express shipping)
1 x computer item on amazon.com (amazon expedited shipping)
1 x computer item on amazon.co.uk (amazon expedited shipping)
1 x tshirt ordered from a UK website

So the phone in progress via AGS is now my 6th item this year and it seemed to have cleared customs without any queries.
Progress:

 

[DeeinSouthAfrica]

...... Some people told me the limit was 3 imports per year before needing an importers code, others said 6. Basically I was just hoping for the best when I started counting my imports so far this year......
So the phone in progress via AGS is now my 6th item this year and it seemed to have cleared customs without any queries......

You are the reason why Aramex stays in business. They won't shop you to SARS and report to them how many imports you have made this year. Oh no. They need your money.
However, sooner or later a computer program will look at your ID Number and put 2 + 2 together and the word will go out to Aramex to request your import code.
It happened to me - some nameless Aramex clerk phoned me and asked for my import code.
I was understandably livid as I have been importing through Aramex for years and have been an Importer / Exporter equally as long and if he had gone tappity-tap on his computer he would have realised this and saved himself a phone call...
But had I not been able to rattle off the my import code things would have been very different.
The nameless clerk wouldn't have cared, but I wouldn't have been dealing with him anymore - I would have been dealing with the government, AKA Customs.
And they have zero sense of humour.

 

[enerdude]

You are the reason why Aramex stays in business. They won't shop you to SARS and report to them how many imports you have made this year. Oh no. They need your money.

not sure what you mean by "report to them how many imports you have made this year" cause my other imports did not go via aramex - think it was dhl and only one was via "normal" aramex.

But yeah, my imports are done for the year, not gonna push my luck. BTW, it was you that sent me the dhl page that mentions 6 imports per year - which gave me hope.

 

[DeeinSouthAfrica]

not sure what you mean by "report to them how many imports you have made this year" cause my other imports did not go via aramex - think it was dhl and only one was via "normal" aramex.

But yeah, my imports are done for the year, not gonna push my luck. BTW, it was you that sent me the dhl page that mentions 6 imports per year - which gave me hope.

I think it is 6. DHL would know. I believe that being German owned they would check and double check everything before writing.
As to SARS customs knowing - we live in a computer age. It doesn't matter if you import through Aramex or DHL, FedEx or (shudder) the post office. Everything gets entered somewhere. It would be nice to say you could import 15 - 20 items a year without being noticed, but I think you, (or anyone reading this) would be walking on very thin ice.
I know it is a hassle getting an import code, but it's free, whereas getting fined for not having one works out to be very expensive indeed.

 

[enerdude]

Yeah dont have any more money for gadgets. Have to wait till next year anyways lol
I doubt If I would ever bring in more than 4 items in a calendar year though - it is genuinely for personal use and not to run a business out of importing

 

[DeeinSouthAfrica]

I import about 50 shipments a month, and sometimes, like this instance, I have imported 8 parcels from China hoping that they would arrive at the same time and be weighed as one parcel (I am on Flex).
They did arrive in Shanghai on the same day, and I got emailed 8 times that there was a shipment #xxxx in Shanghai (Aramex Global Shopper - Activity Update).
I clicked through as I usually do, and uploaded the relevant invoices.
However, things seem to have changed at Aramex. I also received an email called "Information Required for Customs Clearance".
Waybill Number
ID Number / Importers Code
Upload Commercial Invoice
Total Invoice Amount (and you had better know the three letter abbreviation of your currency).
This is a bitch to do when you have multiple shipments!
I have uploaded everything his time, but next time I am going to only upload invoice via the website as I have always done and wait for them to scream.

 

[peeryus]

Why can't I view the pic of my shipment on the AGS webpage when browsing on my phone? Previously used to work fine

 

[enerdude]

Why can't I view the pic of my shipment on the AGS webpage when browsing on my phone? Previously used to work fine

Do you have any adblocker enabled? I had a semi related issue where I could not open the shipment nr at all due to an adblocker. I actually gave feedback to AGS that they should add it to their FAQ. Sure lots of people using adblockers these days.

 

[Tinuva]

Do you have any adblocker enabled? I had a semi related issue where I could not open the shipment nr at all due to an adblocker. I actually gave feedback to AGS that they should add it to their FAQ. Sure lots of people using adblockers these days.

Well the shipment that is completely blocked, is on url regex.

See the url: https://www.aramexglobalshopper.com/api/tracking/9311185251 (I changed a few digits so invalid shipment).

I am 100% certain that is blocked because it has "tracking" in the url.

But not able to view the image, might be something else.

 

[chefdude98]

Can somebody explain something to me please.

I need to buy a shampoo that is only available from amazon.I pay amazon directly and not aramex global site.

I might buy it once a month.That is 12 items per year.

Will I be allowed to import 12 items in a year or will there be an issue?

Thanks

Btw I was asked for my id number twice.

Amazon requests your ID number and then Aramex emailed me to confirm my id.My package was stuck at customs till I supplied my id to aramex.

 

[DeeinSouthAfrica]

.... I might buy it once a month.That is 12 items per year.

Will I be allowed to import 12 items in a year or will there be an issue?

You stand a very real chance of being fined by customs. Rather take a deep breath and get your importers code.
It is free, but a hassle to get.
Look back on this thread for a comprehensive how to.

 

[chefdude98]

You stand a very real chance of being fined by customs. Rather take a deep breath and get your importers code.
It is free, but a hassle to get.
Look back on this thread for a comprehensive how to.

Customs is ****ing annoying.They have been paid by amazon.

What else do they want from me

By the way the shipping and customs was like 80% of the value of the product.

If it is too complicated to get an importers code will buy it from importitall.

I miss the days of Raru importing from Amazon.Their markup wasnt as high as the likes of importitall etc

 

[chefdude98]

BTW how will SARS fine people if they have exceeded the max amount of imported items?

The average consumer is never privy to this information.

Nowhere on the Amazon site does it state that the SARS will make you their biatch and limit imports.

Aramex doesn't communicate this either.

So is the average consumer meant to be slapped with fines randomly?

 

[DeeinSouthAfrica]

BTW how will SARS fine people if they have exceeded the max amount of imported items?

The average consumer is never privy to this information.

Nowhere on the Amazon site does it state that the SARS will make you their biatch and limit imports.

Aramex doesn't communicate this either.

So is the average consumer meant to be slapped with fines randomly?

Everything is interconnected nowadays. You give your ID number and they enter it into the system.
You don't have to get an import code if you don't want to. Maybe you get lucky.

 

[DeeinSouthAfrica]

Taobao will not allow you to enter the Shanghai Aramex phone number. Looking online, this has been a problem for quite some time.
However, it will allow the Hong Kong address, so use that.
Aramex HK LTD – SNS, 1/F, Mapletree Logistics Hub Tsing Yi, 30 Tsing Yi Road, Tsing Yi South, Kwai Tsing
999077
(852)35567000

Aramex HK LTD –葵青青衣南青衣路30号青衣枫树物流中心一楼SNS
999077
(852）35567000

 

[peeryus]

BTW how will SARS fine people if they have exceeded the max amount of imported items?

The average consumer is never privy to this information.

Nowhere on the Amazon site does it state that the SARS will make you their biatch and limit imports.

Aramex doesn't communicate this either.

So is the average consumer meant to be slapped with fines randomly?

What is the max amount of imported items?

 

[enerdude]

What is the max amount of imported items?

If you go by DHL's website it is supposed to be 6 items per calendar year as discussed on the last 2 pages of this thread. Some people have commented that it might only be 3

 

[DeeinSouthAfrica]

This is in the Help section on the Aramex Global Shopper main page :

When do I need to provide an Importers Code for customs clearance of my shipments?

SARS Customs in South Africa requires you to produce an Importers Code for customs clearance if you import goods into South Africa more than three (3) times in a single calendar year (either directly or through a clearing agent or courier company). The Importers Codes are issued by SARS.

The registration process for obtaining an Importers Code is quick and easy:

· Fill in the required application forms and relevant annexure(s):

o DA185 - Application form: Registration/Licensing of Customs and Excise Clients

o DA 185.4A1 - Registration Client Type 4A1- Importer

· Send all forms and supporting documents to the nearest Customs and/or Excise office.

The validity period of the Importers Code is indefinite. There is no fee to register for the Importers Code and you should receive the Importers Code from SARS in approximately ten (10) business days.

Please note: Customs can levy a fine of up to R3000.00 or more if you are not in possession of an Importers Code and you have brought goods into the country on more than three (3) occasions in a single calendar year.

 

[Deceptor]

How long does it usually take for Aramex to update the shipping & import tax amount for your package once you've uploaded the invoice?