Costs involved with importing

[Zenbaas]

You don't need that. When you made the purchase a print out of the online invoice will do. Just print that out. That's good enough.

Also I don't think it's legal for customs to fine you because of what the sender did, unless they have proof you asked them to do this.
The sender will get in trouble with his government and postal authority for that. You can't be responsible for the actions of someone else, who is beyond your control.

Well I really hope thats the case because from experience they always under declare. The only place that actually declares the proper value in the past was DX which ironically always gets held up at customs.

 

[ld13]

The only place that actually declares the proper value in the past was DX which ironically always gets held up at customs.

This.

Stopped ordering large batches of stuff from them a few years ago after some stupid lady at customs saw the large package and could not believe that is was merely like $8 worth of stuff. She then more than doubled the estimated value! I decided to just pay as I was not in the mood to dispute it.

Now I order the items one by one stretched out over a few days so that they come in one at at a time.

 

[DominionZA]

I've never had that problem. Ever. EVen when customs stopped an item because the declaration was way off, they asked for the invoice, got it and released the item. Mind you, this is SAPO, and not some clearing agent. I would avoid clearing agents unless they're cost effective or you're importing semi prohibited substances, such as medicines. EVen there you don't need clearing agents, just a permit from an authority like the MCC.

At that time I was doing R30k every 2 months. Had to get an importers code and a clearing agent.
It depends who you purchase from and the method they use to get the goods to you.

Most stuff I import now is shipped via EMS and they do the clearing as part of the process.

Cleared an import once myself, and won't do it again. Not a fun process.

 

[Space_Chief]

At that time I was doing R30k every 2 months. Had to get an importers code and a clearing agent.
It depends who you purchase from and the method they use to get the goods to you.

Most stuff I import now is shipped via EMS and they do the clearing as part of the process.

Cleared an import once myself, and won't do it again. Not a fun process.

How do you clear things yourself? Except speak to the SAPO guy when he asks, what is inside the parcel?

If you ship by courier the courier company clears it. The items are described with the correct tariff code and invoice by shipper.

If you ship by mail, EMS/airmail/SAL, SAPO clears the items for you based on the above as well. (Note that EMS = SAPO, the same guys clear the stuff whether it's sent by EMS or by airmail or SAL. Much of my Japanese stuff goes by SAL and I'm pretty happy.)

Did you import goods through air/sea freight?

 

[Space_Chief]

Well I really hope thats the case because from experience they always under declare. The only place that actually declares the proper value in the past was DX which ironically always gets held up at customs.

I don't think they get in trouble because most countries don't have the time or manpower to pursue such nonsense. I doubt the Chinese who ignore serious copyright and patent law violations will care that some business is down marking their goods.

But in theory the sender could get nailed. I don't know who'd prosecute them though. It would have to be serious offenses though, not some guy on Ebay selling a laptop or two.

 

[Space_Chief]

I found that Chinese and Hong Kong stuff gets hammered. Japanese and US stuff not so much. Japanese least in fact. Customs tends to believe the Chinese the least.

But you need to get the tariff codes right. I had a Japanese shop send me $700 item with no problems. I then used the same tariff code for a limited edition event item a friend went to pick up in Kyoto of a similar price. No problems either. Earlier I had a Hong Kong business ship a similar item and that package got stopped.

 

[DominionZA]

How do you clear things yourself? Except speak to the SAPO guy when he asks, what is inside the parcel?

If you ship by courier the courier company clears it. The items are described with the correct tariff code and invoice by shipper.

If you ship by mail, EMS/airmail/SAL, SAPO clears the items for you based on the above as well. (Note that EMS = SAPO, the same guys clear the stuff whether it's sent by EMS or by airmail or SAL. Much of my Japanese stuff goes by SAL and I'm pretty happy.)

Did you import goods through air/sea freight?

Yes - back then I was importing 600 sized RC helicopter kits. They were too big for courier and cost too much so they came over via air freight. I had to go into customs with the documentation, proof, etc... Was a nightmare.
I got a clearing company in Edenvale to handle it for me from then on at a cost of around R600 or something per shipment. They also organized my importers code.

Now I order much smaller quantities and get the stuff shipped via EMS. Everything is handled for me. I just pay the customs fees to the courier when he gets to my gate and go on my merry way.

Not had any issues for about 3 years now. They do inspect my packages but it never gets held like it used too (had one heli shipment held for 3 freaking weeks).

Maybe things have changed over the years.

The Herotab that I imported that had the issue was courier. The shipping invoice said $50 on it and when they inspected the package and saw the item they figured it was a jooked invoice and requested my proof of payment. The fine was more then the cost of the item its-self.

 

[Space_Chief]

Yes - back then I was importing 600 sized RC helicopter kits. They were too big for courier and cost too much so they came over via air freight. I had to go into customs with the documentation, proof, etc... Was a nightmare.
I got a clearing company in Edenvale to handle it for me from then on at a cost of around R600 or something per shipment. They also organized my importers code.

Importer's code is something you can get for free by going to SARS. It takes several weeks though. R600 per shipment is expensive and typical of the parasite work ethic we see in SA. Someone wants to live off someone else. Unless your time is worth it, I would do everything myself. But as said post office or courier company does it all, unless you do these freight shipments.

Now I order much smaller quantities and get the stuff shipped via EMS. Everything is handled for me. I just pay the customs fees to the courier when he gets to my gate and go on my merry way.

That's EMS. What's nice is that EMS is COD. I always insist on EMS or registered mail/SAL. They all work. They are all insurable. With PayPal payments the buyer also has some leeway as PayPal favours buyers in case of loss.

Not had any issues for about 3 years now. They do inspect my packages but it never gets held like it used too (had one heli shipment held for 3 freaking weeks).

The Herotab that I imported that had the issue was courier. The shipping invoice said $50 on it and when they inspected the package and saw the item they figured it was a jooked invoice and requested my proof of payment. The fine was more then the cost of the item its-self.

Shame.
I would have disputed that. I can't be held accountable for someone else's actions unless I requested them.

Maybe the SAPO guys are just more easy going.

That we have importer's codes for non business entities in SA is a joke and an indication of the type of police / nanny state we live in.