Customs & UK Ebay Purchase

i.got~issues

i.got~issues

Expert Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2011
Messages
4,939
Reaction score
549
Location
CT - Plumstead
Hi

I am trying to wade through confusing SARS customs info, uuurgh, hoping someone here might be able to advise.

I will be getting a second hand eBay purchase, a 2004 scanner, from the UK, and need to know what customs and VAT charges might apply.

I have a friend flying in from the UK who is willing to bring it with her, is this an option? Any customs implications?

How do I calculate just what getting it here will cost me regarding customs and duties and tax etc...

Help!!
 
You will be charged 15% VAT on 110% of the item value in Rands, plus R35-40 customs duty.
So for example if the item costs R1,000, you will pay R165 VAT + R35-40 customs duty.
If it comes through Royal Mail and the Post Office, this is all you will pay.
A courier on the other hand may charge you R200 flat disbursement fee + VAT on top of the above charges.
So you could pay R230 more.
Hope this helps.
 
Ah, yes it does, thanks.

Any idea of costs involved if friend brings it across with her luggage? Any official documentation requirements?

NightFury said:
You will be charged 15% VAT on 110% of the item value in Rands, plus R35-40 customs duty.
So for example if the item costs R1,000, you will pay R165 VAT + R35-40 customs duty.
If it comes through Royal Mail and the Post Office, this is all you will pay.
A courier on the other hand may charge you R200 flat disbursement fee + VAT on top of the above charges.
So you could pay R230 more.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
 
If your friends doesn't get stopped and has his/her baggage inspected by customs, you're OK.
If there is an inspection and the item is discovered, he/she will have to provide a receipt for the item.
I think (but am not sure) there is no charge on anything less than R2,500.
Same 15% VAT on 110% of item cost and R35-40 customs duty will be charged on items more than R2,500.
If your friends brings it, you will definitely save on shipping from UK.
 
Would love to know how you made up R35-40 customs duty, R200 disbursement fee and R2500 duty free allowance? Because none of that is true.

Duty is entirely dependent on the type of item and it's value and disbursement based on the customs total and the rates set by the carrier, duty free allowance is R5000.
 
Last edited:
I didn't make R2,500 up, I did mention I was not sure.
I am a professional photographer and buy electronics from Ebay, B&H and Keh all the time and I have always paid Vat on 110% of the item cost plus R35-40 customs duty.
Depending on how the item is sent, it could end up at the local Post Office where I have not been charged a disbursement fee.
When the item was delivered by Fedex, I have always been charged R200 disbursemnet fee plus Vat.
I have my invoices to prove that.
 
NightFury said:
I didn't make R2,500 up, I did mention I was not sure.
I am a professional photographer and buy electronics from Ebay, B&H and Keh all the time and I have always paid Vat on 110% of the item cost plus R35-40 customs duty.
Depending on how the item is sent, it could end up at the local Post Office where I have not been charged a disbursement fee.
When the item was delivered by Fedex, I have always been charged R200 disbursemnet fee plus Vat.
I have my invoices to prove that.
Click to expand...

I have no doubt in your experience that what you say is true, however that is not how customs fees are calculated. A package will NOT always attract duties of R35-40 and you will NOT be charged a flat disbursement of R200 by a courier.
 
Thanks for the input.

I think I might visit a customs office and see if I can get clarity from there.

Phoning SARS has resulted in conflicting information from two telephone agents, and the documents they have referred me to are hundreds of pages long and confuse me even more.

Not trying to avoid customs, just trying to get some confirmation of associated costs is proving to be a most frustrating exercise in futility.
 
Chat to scott above . His business is to import stuff for other people.
 
Can't your friend just bring it in as a "Gift", i stand to be corrected here, but isn''t there like a R20k of gifts that can be brought in without paying for the item at customs?
 
thehuman said:
Chat to scott above . His business is to import stuff for other people.
Click to expand...

Aaah, thanks... will keep this in mind for next time.

JaredOzzy said:
Can't your friend just bring it in as a "Gift", i stand to be corrected here, but isn''t there like a R20k of gifts that can be brought in without paying for the item at customs?
Click to expand...

According to SARS, the gift has to cost lest than R1,400.00 to be classed as a gift.

In the end, seller in the UK just used DHL to send it, will see what happens at customs... I just gave up trying to get any info from SARS about this.
 
I would just lie and ask them to say they are bringing a their old equipment to you as they have a new one.
 
I just brought in second hand goods via courier from the UK. No duty was charged, BUT I had to apply for an ITAC import permit for second hand goods before it could be cleared.
 
hmm So I took the form for personal use. I dont see anything for second hand stuff except one for importing a second hand car
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter