FedEx clearance requirements for electronics

[NameOfBeast]

I posted this a while back at the end of a thread that died. Hoping I get a response this time....

I want to get some memory sent via FedEx (which for this particular company --- OWC ---is the cheapest courier option). However I just saw something disturbing on the ZA FedEx site:

If you are shipping electronic goods and computer parts for personal use or resale you need a test report from the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). If the Letter of Authority is not available within five days of the goods arrival, the shipment will be confiscated.

http://www.fedex.com/za/shippingguide/importguidelines/?link=4#Documents

Anybody ever encountered any problems importing electronics via FedEx? I've never had to produce anything other than an importer's number for DHL and UPS (for electronic and other goods).

 

[brettwlewis]

I've brought in camera accessories and not had a problem, though my stuff may not fall under the same heading as your goodies.

My recommendation would be to skip Fedex and go for one of the USPS (US postal service) services, if you can. Choose one of the traceable services - this will be your most cost effective route and I'm yet to lose a parcel this way.

Parcels sent this way go through the customs dept. at the International Mail Centre at OR Tambo who seem to be less fussed about the rules. And to top it their clearing charges are cheap (R25), compared to the couriers and shipping agents. But expect to pay VAT (at 1.1x the value of your shipment) and possibly some duty too.

Good luck.

 

[PeterCH]

I never heard of this obnoxiously stupid requirement. Your best bet is to phone
CUSTOMS and ask them about this bull$hyte as they are the only people
who can confiscate anything. FedEx can't.

Ask if the shop can ship EMS otherwise (Global Express Mail). It's almost as
fast as FedEX, is traceable and about half the price.

I've had memory shipped from
http://www.transintl.com/store/pages.cfm?ID=10
twice so far, second time was earlier this year
and there were no issues. They only use FedEx.

 

[arf9999]

Memory will not require an SABS LoA. Only items that require a safety report are included. Rule of thumb: if it plugs into AC mains, it needs a Letter of Approval. Theoretically, customs can refuse to clear any item that should have a safety report and you are unable to produce an LoA.

You can google IEC600065 and IEC60950 for more info. These are the IEC standards for safety for consumer electronics and IT equipment.


Again, I wouldn't be too concerned about memory.

 

[PeterCH]

You can google IEC600065 and IEC60950 for more info. These are the IEC standards for safety for consumer electronics and IT equipment.

Which means that virtually any piece of consumer electronics
may need an LoA. That sucks, thankfully customs never impounded
any of my stuff until now - ignorance is bliss I say.

(I knew about the Coke and Heroin imports beeing a no-no but now
it seems even a camera with a charger can get you in trouble.)

 

[arf9999]

Which means that virtually any piece of consumer electronics
may need an LoA. That sucks, thankfully customs never impounded
any of my stuff until now - ignorance is bliss I say.

(I knew about the Coke and Heroin imports beeing a no-no but now
it seems even a camera with a charger can get you in trouble.)

Anything that plugs into AC. So you don't need anything for the camera, but the charger should have an LoA. The best part is, that in order to get a Letter of Approval, you need to provide the SABS with a FULL CB test report and pay around R300 per item. If you don't have a report, you will need to have the product tested (and it will be tested to destruction) .

Fortunately customs is quite lax on this, but occassionally a shipment will be stopped and LoAs demanded. The SABS also sends inspectors to retailers to demand LoA for electronic items on display. If the LoA is not produced within 7 days, the items have to be removed from the shelf and may not be sold.

All to keep you safe.

 

[PeterCH]

So that means that thousands of business travellers who bring their laptops into SA
could have their power bricks confiscated by customs officals at the airport?

And surely isn't it unconstitutional if they don't do it for everyone
for them to do it for me, say (if they were to do it for me).

 

[arf9999]

Unconstitutional? okaaaay.... You try that with SARS and the SABS, let me know how that works out for you.

 

[NameOfBeast]

Thanks, replies much appreciated!

@PeterCH: I agree, it seems unlikely that they will enforce this sort of thing, but my experience over the last few months suggests that couriers are increasingly obeying the very letter of the law; An example: in the past only UPS insisted on having an importers' number for a package to be released, but in the last few months DHL have also made this a firm requirement (every shipment of mine this year). BTW the TransIntl site is interesting! I am looking for memory for my MacBook. Definitely an option.

@brettwlewis: Do you know if Express Mail International is traceable? It's an option at OWC (and is about half the price of FedEx; ONE THIRD the price of UPS!).

Again, thanks guys.

 

[mancombseepgood]

I am sick of Fedex and their useless imports department... I was owed R1400 for something imported for repair and return... just gave up.