Gearbest customs calculations

[IamMe18]

I'm currently in the market for a new device and Gearbest seems to have good prices. But I notice that unlike Amazon, it doesn't show how much customs will be. So is there a way to estimate how much customs will be on devices around R2500-R3000?

 

[Dairyfarmer]

@IamMe18
Example:
R3000
7% of 3000 x 1.15 = R245
15% vat of 3000 x 1.10 = R495
Total = R740

Worst case scenario, usually less in my experience.

 

[lexor]

Duties VAT

Beauty Supplies 20% 15%

Books 0% 15%

Brochures 15% 15%

Handbag 30% 15%

Calculator 0% 15%

Car Accessories & Spare Parts 20% 15%

Catalogues 15% 15%

CD’s Computer Data 0% 15%

CD’s Games 7% 15%

CD’s Programs 0% 15%

Clothing 45% 15%

Computer Equipment 0% 15%

CD’s, Movies, Songs 0% 15%

Cables 15% 15%

DVD’s 0% 15%

DVD Player 7% 15%

DVD Program 0% 15%

Data Cartridge (for printers) 0% 15%

Digital Camera 7% 15%

Guitar 0% 15%

iPad 0% 15%

Archos Internet Tablet 0% 15%

iPhone 7% 15%

iPod 7% 15%

Laptop 0% 15%

LCD Screen Computer 0% 15%

LCD Screen TV 25% 15%

Magazines 0% 15%

Makeup 20% 15%

Mobile 7% 15%

Mobile Charger 0% 15%

PlayStation 7% 15%

Poster 0% 15%

Radio 7% 15%

Shoes 30% 15%

Soap 20% 15%

Sports Equipment 0% 15%

Stationery 20% 15%

Supplements 20% 15%

Toys 0% 15%

VHS Tapes 0% 15%

Video Camera 7% 15%

Wallet 30% 15%

Watch 0% 15%

Web Camera 7% 15%

Wii 7% 15%

 

[EADC]

@IamMe18
Example:
R3000
7% of 3000 x 1.15 = R245
15% vat of 3000 x 1.10 = R495
Total = R740

Worst case scenario, usually less in my experience.

It would be 15% of 3245

 

[Dairyfarmer]

There are ways of reducing the duty. Some sites allow you to declare a lower cost on the waybill and invoice. BUT you have to make 2 payments rather than one for the item. This is because SARS will ask for the invoice and proof of payment. The PoP is important as it must be same value as the invoice and waybill else it's a R500 fine.

I fought once because my shipment was make up of 3 packages and the waybill only showed the value of the items in that package. I had to show SARS that the package was split into 3 to avoid the R500 fine. They hadn't charged me duty/vat on the other 2 packages. Still worked out to less than the fine.

 

[technofool]

Here is the last shedule I downloaded, have at it guys. It seems that different inspectors will assign different amounts and different categories depending on their level of ability to "read for meaning". It's a crap shoot and you moan when it goes against you and shut up when the amounts are less.
Things will only get better if we moan and fight. Yes it takes up valuable personal time but the people after you will benefit and they can moan and fix the next issue in the chain.
Yes public servants, whom we pay 30% above private sector rates, will ignore us and fail to answer emails but you have to fight. I went all the way up to the Minister of Finance before SARS/Customs released my package. Took me 2 years but many officials spent hundreds of hours dealing with my ****. Imagine if there were 20 or 100 people gunning them as hard as I was pushing?? They would not have time to drink tea or walk slow like blubbering land-whales.
Our power is we are many and they are few, if each one of us takes a small bite we can kill the big beast of tyrannical inept corrupt government.

 

[IamMe18]

Judging by how much they charge, it seems like it is not always a good idea to buy from stores like Gearbest because in some cases the difference in prices is about +-R400 compared to buying locally. Plus you also get 24 months warranty.

 

[Dairyfarmer]

Depends. More often it's a lot cheaper to buy and pay duty. Yes you don't get the warranty, but the same item here is twice the price. Also be careful of "local warranties".