Import duties

L

Lope

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Lets say you want to buy a PC hardware/electronics item from overseas, what is the story with import duties?
I've bought stuff from HK recently, no duties charged by customs.
Also I know relatives can't send gifts worth more than R400 each. Does the R400 also apply to stuff we buy?

Do we get charged duties on shipping?
For example. If item is $55 (less than R400) with $55 shipping (nearly R800) will we get charged duties?

Do private people pay different duties for a once off purchase vs businesses that bring in containers of stuff?

Plz enlighten me :)
 
Its VAT + 10% and we all pay the same.

But if you import more than three times a year (regardless of value), you need to register as an importer (its free) with SARS else you will have your imports blokced and then require the service of a clearing agent (min charge is R300).
 
Okay, so if you register as an importer what do you have to do when you import stuff?
I think I registered my company as an importer, I must check it out :)
I've just been bringing stuff in personally, then I whack it on as an expense later. I'm not very organized.
 
Oh cool. Thanks
If anyone else knows
* Is shipping cost included in import duty?
* Is it better to ship more parcels, smaller value, or fewer higher value ones?
(I recently shipped in a small thing from HK, it was a couple of $, PO/SARS didn't charge me a cent for it)
 
Duties are calculated on Value without freight and insurance
Customs has just launched the first phase of a new system written by the guys who did the e-filing system.. so they will stop missing shipment soon..

E.g bought a pc price R100 , Shipping = R20

Customs Value = R100 * (1+ (10/100) = R110

Now calculate duties on R110
Duties = 0% of R110 = 0.00
Vat = 14% of (Customs Value + duties) = R15.4

Total = Customs Value + duties + VAT
= 110 + 0 + 15.4
= 125.40
 
Awesome greg, thanks.
So computer parts are 0% duty, then what about consumer electronics? (mp3 player, digital camera)
Then what about electronic components (circuit boards, parts etc)
Are there tables online somewhere?
 
This is a digital version of the tarrif book its not always up to date but will put you in the ball park
http://www.cargoinfo.co.za/TariffBook.aspx

Computer parts are duty free...

Consumer Electronics is far to big a field to generalize the duty, some require a sabs permit or icasa clearance

A Digital Camera is a Camera hence a different place in the tariff book.. One could always ask the supplier for the tarriff(HS Code) but this does not guarantee SARS customs will accept it..
 
greggpb said:
Duties are calculated on Value without freight and insurance
Customs has just launched the first phase of a new system written by the guys who did the e-filing system.. so they will stop missing shipment soon..

E.g bought a pc price R100 , Shipping = R20

Customs Value = R100 * (1+ (10/100) = R110

Now calculate duties on R110
Duties = 0% of R110 = 0.00
Vat = 14% of (Customs Value + duties) = R15.4

Total = Customs Value + duties + VAT
= 110 + 0 + 15.4
= 125.40
Click to expand...
Where did the R10 come from. If there's no duty and only VAT, then surely it should be R115.40?
 
Lounger said:
Where did the R10 come from. If there's no duty and only VAT, then surely it should be R115.40?
Click to expand...

indeed, there is no R10, that is just used for the customs value for the vat calculation, you dont actually get charged that, so it would be R115.40.
the only thing you need to add on is the courier clearing fee, that varies.
 
By way of an example:

Bought iPad, was $599 with US VAT - Black Friday (R4400)
MyUs (Postage via DHL) Paid R700
Customs R346 - Was invoiced as a media player
VAT about R710
Disbursement: R80

Appr. R6200
 
lived666 said:
indeed, there is no R10, that is just used for the customs value for the vat calculation, you dont actually get charged that, so it would be R115.40.
the only thing you need to add on is the courier clearing fee, that varies.
Click to expand...

Vat calculation = 10% of the import value added to the import value- insurance and shipment * VAT@14% ie R100 * 10% = R110 * 14% (Vat) Thus R 125.40
 
Last edited:
But I agree that it varies and is virtually impossible to determine. Any items with a value under USD30 has no charge.
 
So customs adds 10%, then they add 14% VAT then they add duties?
So basically customs charges (24% of item_value + duties) ?

(item value excluding shipping and insurance costs)
 
aedro said:
Bought iPad, was $599 with US VAT - Black Friday (R4400)
MyUs (Postage via DHL) Paid R700
Customs R346 - Was invoiced as a media player
VAT about R710
Disbursement: R80

Appr. R6200
Click to expand...
How does it work that Aedro got charged R346 by customs, but thats less than 10% of his item value? R4400
 
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