Hmm. Amazon are really cheap when it comes to netbooks. Is it safe importing directly from Amazon? I've never done anything like this before. There's no way I'd let the SA post-office handle a netbook, but if I import using a courier, would it still be risky? Also, what is the story with customs when you import an electronic device like a netbook?
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Buying netbooks from Amazon
- Thread starter RichardK
- Start date
FrancTheTank
Expert Member
Don't think amazon use the SA PO anymore, so you'll have to have it couriered at your expense.
When buying electronic devices, first see if the company subsidiary in SA would honour the guarentee if you purchased it from overseas. Else I wouldn't bother, just pay the SA price and have peace of mind.
When buying electronic devices, first see if the company subsidiary in SA would honour the guarentee if you purchased it from overseas. Else I wouldn't bother, just pay the SA price and have peace of mind.
Amazon does NOT ship electronics to SA. The stuff they ship, they now ship couriered.
You may have to use a place like B&H Photo Video, or a place like Conics.
Some items have international guarantees but even if they don't, I found that
most electronics from good companies - Panasonic, Sharp, Sony, Philips,
NEC, Samsung, Fujitsu, Apple, LG, etc does not fail while under warranty.
You may have to use a place like B&H Photo Video, or a place like Conics.
Some items have international guarantees but even if they don't, I found that
most electronics from good companies - Panasonic, Sharp, Sony, Philips,
NEC, Samsung, Fujitsu, Apple, LG, etc does not fail while under warranty.
Amazon does use the SA PO again, for books, dvds, etc - that situation was resolved. However, as PeterCH pointed out, they do not not ship electronics to Africa. Only courier.
(Funny how the media were quick to report that Amazon stopped shipping, but is yet to report that it has started again! Only bad news is reported I guess)
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Alright, courier isn't a problem. There's hundreds of couriers available, probably best to go with a reliable one like DHL. Even so, if I courier it to SA, what happens with customs? Would it be possible to bring it in as a gift? And how and where does VAT get paid on the item?
You will have to pay
Item value * 1.10 * duties * 1.14
Your courier should pay all the charges for you and bill them to you.
But then again most courier's will just deliver it sneaky sneaky. The first couple of times ....
I think net books are duty free, but will have to check the HS Tariff Heading
Item value * 1.10 * duties * 1.14
Your courier should pay all the charges for you and bill them to you.
But then again most courier's will just deliver it sneaky sneaky. The first couple of times ....
I think net books are duty free, but will have to check the HS Tariff Heading
Computers are DUTY fee, supposedly.
Oh and Courier will charge you R100 + VAT for the pleasure of clearing customs for you.
Finally, many couriers don't accept COD anymore, so you have to PAY
via EFT and the delay that causes OR you have to go their depot and collect and pay there. The idiots don't accept cheques or credit cards.
Oh and Courier will charge you R100 + VAT for the pleasure of clearing customs for you.
Finally, many couriers don't accept COD anymore, so you have to PAY
via EFT and the delay that causes OR you have to go their depot and collect and pay there. The idiots don't accept cheques or credit cards.
I've phoned up some courier places now, and all they can tell me is that I may or may not have to pay VAT and/or import duties for items over R500. How on earth do I find out whether I have to pay both these amounts once the item reaches South Africa?
How do you propose to get the goods as delivered by amazon into the hands of the courier? Do you have friends/family there to assist?
I think he misunderstood.
Let's repeat for him:
Amazon DOES NOT SHIP ELECTRONICS (such as netbooks) to South Africa.
So he'll need a friend or relative or use a re-mailer service. Alternatively, there are sites (also in the US) which do ship to SA.
I didn't misunderstand. I'm acutely aware of the fact that Amazon don't deliver electronics goods to South Africa directly. They will, however, deliver to a remailer of my choice. Most, if not all couriers offer remailing services, so all that is required is to get Amazon to deliver to the courier's depot.
Which still doesn't help me with my question on customs or VAT.
Forgive me if that came across as rude - that was not my intention. Thank you to all those who have given advice so far
@PeterCH: can you suggest any US sites which will ship to South Africa?
www.bhphotovideo.com is one
www.conics.net is another
Reputable EBay sellers eg http://myworld.ebay.com/dantrell/
Product search on Google -> www.froogle.com
www.conics.net is another
Reputable EBay sellers eg http://myworld.ebay.com/dantrell/
Product search on Google -> www.froogle.com
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I didn't misunderstand. I'm acutely aware of the fact that Amazon don't deliver electronics goods to South Africa directly. They will, however, deliver to a remailer of my choice. Most, if not all couriers offer remailing services, so all that is required is to get Amazon to deliver to the courier's depot.
Which still doesn't help me with my question on customs or VAT.
Forgive me if that came across as rude - that was not my intention. Thank you to all those who have given advice so far
@PeterCH: can you suggest any US sites which will ship to South Africa?
Everything that comes into the country pays VAT if you paid for it you owe VAT - No Exceptions
If you use a remailer you will pay vat twice.. once in the us and once in South africa
Most states do not tax internet purchases where the originating vendor doesn't have a registered premises in the state that the item is being shipped to. There are of course exceptions (including KS, KY, ND, NY and WA) so avoid those states when selecting a remailer.
Not strictly true, though it doesn't help you, but according to the Amazon website:
Doesn't apply to netbooks though, as said above, just putting the info out there in case others were thinking of buying other things - some electronics will be shipped.
Perhaps a site like http://www.myus.com/index.shtml might help?