Customs/Import duties

S

SuperAntMD

Expert Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2005
Messages
1,063
Reaction score
1
Location
Location; Location
Ive already posted this in the gaming section so apologies for the repost but I think I might fair better if I post it here:

I am looking to import (buy overseas and bring back) some Guitar Hero peripherals for my PS3, namely two guitars and the drum kit. All in all it should come to $125.

What can I expect to be charged at the airport when I come back?

I have tried to search the forums and have looked at the SARS website here: http://www.sars.co.za/home.asp?pid=29882 but am still completely at a loss. I think they would fall into the
9504.10 Video games of a kind used with a television receiver 7% 7%
Click to expand...
category but dont know what this means. Surely 7% is too low?

What exactly is excise vs. customs and how much is this really going to cost me?

Any help or nudges in the right direction would be great
 
For computer stuff you usually pay 14% vat and a landing fee. Last time I imported drakensang the total customs fees were R50. There's no duties on computer hardware or software but since guitar hero is console and maybe falls under tv stuff it might be different.
 
If you are bringing it in personally (ie you are flying back from the US with it in your luggage) you are allowed to bring in R3000 worth of goods duty free. Above R3000 you pay 20% flat rate up to around R10000.

All my cameras and Ipod have come in this way.

Just remember to declare anything you take out the country on a DA65 form at customs before you go through passport control so that you can bring it back without being charged duty (camera, laptop, GPS, Ipod etc).
 
I can't remember ever paying less than 23%, I have imported many things in the past already
 
I import every week. Here are the facts: Computers and computer parts & peripherals are not subject to duty, ad valorem or other import taxes.

However, you have to pay Import VAT, which is calculated at 1.1 x 14% of the FOB value at the ruling exchange rate (ie 10% is added to the VAT amount). There are also other levies and charges (fuel levy, handling fee, disbursement charge, etc) which your clearing agent will add.

Best to classify the goods as computer components and use tariff code 8473.30. Ask the sending party to clearly mark bot the invoice and box as Computer Peripherals.
 
Arthur said:
I import every week. Here are the facts: Computers and computer parts & peripherals are not subject to duty, ad valorem or other import taxes.

However, you have to pay Import VAT, which is calculated at 1.1 x 14% of the FOB value at the ruling exchange rate (ie 10% is added to the VAT amount). There are also other levies and charges (fuel levy, handling fee, disbursement charge, etc) which your clearing agent will add.

Best to classify the goods as computer components and use tariff code 8473.30. Ask the sending party to clearly mark bot the invoice and box as Computer Peripherals.
Click to expand...

Arthur, just a note, you should be paying Value of good's x 1.1 x 1.14 not FOB Value. FOB value includes inland freight and you are then paying duty on those

Look into it, you could save some money. If you need any more info PM me.
 
Last edited:
As a personal importer you are allows to import 3 shipments a year with a maximum combine value of R20 000.

On these shipments you will pay Invoice value * 1.1 * 1.14

After that you have to register with customs as an importer. It's pretty easy.
 
if the seller isnt fail he will mark the package as a gift :D
 
Earlier this year I imported a dreambox - no charges at all. Shipping costs (DHL) was a drag (more expensive than the actual item).

4 days to my door from Hong Kong. Was quite impressed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X