Graphics cards on international flights

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Christopher Erasmus

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Hi guys
I'm going to USA for two weeks during December and I want to buy a gtx 1070 there and bring it back with me (to save money obviously), but I am very unsure how to go about it, and I've done loads of research end some people say it is possible, others say they will confiscate it, and then some say I will pay VAT, and others say I won't have to. Should I put it in my regular luggage and just padlock my bag? I am really confused about what to do and I'm hoping some of you who might have done it before could advise me on what I should do.
Thanks!
 
i brought in a chrome cast in my carry on luggage from germany.. i just walked straight out of cape town international airport with no issues.. dont recall having any electronics in my check in luggage though..
 
Christopher Erasmus said:
Hi guys
I'm going to USA for two weeks during December and I want to buy a gtx 1070 there and bring it back with me (to save money obviously), but I am very unsure how to go about it, and I've done loads of research end some people say it is possible, others say they will confiscate it, and then some say I will pay VAT, and others say I won't have to. Should I put it in my regular luggage and just padlock my bag? I am really confused about what to do and I'm hoping some of you who might have done it before could advise me on what I should do.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

Basically if you get stop by customs before you exit and they find it they will tax you. It's easier with laptops, cellphones etc coz you can ditch the boxes and say you left SA with them.

Padlocking your bag won't help, customs will cut the lock if you say you can't find the key.
 
RVQ said:
Basically if you get stop by customs before you exit and they find it they will tax you. It's easier with laptops, cellphones etc coz you can ditch the boxes and say you left SA with them.

Padlocking your bag won't help, customs will cut the lock if you say you can't find the key.
Click to expand...

I think you are allowed to bring in goods to the value of R5,000 without being taxed for it, so if you can get the card for less than this figure make sure you keep the slip to show them.

When I was in the UK i popped a graphics card in my luggage. Didn't even padlock it as I recall. Just put it on the plane and came home.

Plus even if you are taxed (highly unlikely), you'll probably still be better off.
 
So if I keep the slip and the original packaging and the slips, and take it with me as hand luggage, I will be able to get through customs without paying taxes? If the price needs to be lowered I can just as well settle for a gtx 1060, which means that the price will be under R5000
 
Christopher Erasmus said:
So if I keep the slip and the original packaging and the slips, and take it with me as hand luggage, I will be able to get through customs without paying taxes? If the price needs to be lowered I can just as well settle for a gtx 1060, which means that the price will be under R5000
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I came back from Oz after 2 years with my suitcase full of components (MB, Graphics card, HDD etc) and just said I had nothing to declare. Good chance you won't get stopped. But I know that when I did declare stuff IRC the tax was charged at 20% of the value above R5000, so it shouldn't be that bad.
 
IIRC, you pay import duty and tax on electronics for every rand above your allowance.

I'm not saying anything specifically, I overheard from some people that apparently you can get "two invoices" from a shop for the same item with one of them for you and the other specially made for customs :whistle:. And with a lot of places adopting the dollar symbol, sometimes it can be confusing to differentiate between US $ and some other currency.
 
Remove from the box, keep separate. Removed from the trash, if asked. I don't know whether working or not, will check home.
 
Don't lie for anything, especially not for money. You do more damage to yourself than any possible advantage it can yield. Don't add to SA's problems by lying for money.

There are no duties on computer components. All you're liable for is Customs VAT, which is 14% on 110% of the invoice value.
 
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Brought a HTC Vive, mobo, cpu and memory through Frankfurt back here. No issue at all but one. The mobo/cpu was in my laptop bag. At the check in scanner I took my laptop, tablet and Kindle out, but not the mobo, as it was not powered. Had big **** with police getting called and customs official swabbing my bag with a positive result for explosives. Got it through though.
 
Lord Farquart said:
Brought a HTC Vive, mobo, cpu and memory through Frankfurt back here. No issue at all but one. The mobo/cpu was in my laptop bag. At the check in scanner I took my laptop, tablet and Kindle out, but not the mobo, as it was not powered. Had big **** with police getting called and customs official swabbing my bag with a positive result for explosives. Got it through though.
Click to expand...

How much did you purchased the HTC VIVE for? I am thinking to start playing VR but don't know where to buy them :(
 
Arthur said:
Don't lie for anything, especially not for money. You do more damage to yourself than any possible advantage it can yield. Don't add to SA's problems by lying for money.
Click to expand...
Don't lie to your friends and generally in your life. There can be exceptions, all depends...
 
Why dont you just put it in a giftbag and say you got given it as a present in USA by an uncle?
 
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