Import Photography Equipment

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Serg_dc13

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I'm looking to buy a camera from the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 range but am skeptical as to what I am going to pay on import duties. I read this, "Whilst there is no customs duty on photographic equipment into South Africa you will be liable for 14% VAT on the declared value of your goods, which you may or may not be able to claim back." on bid or buy but I was also told that there is a 40% import duty cost on all electronics. Does anyone know what the cost of importing this camera will be as well as how to calculate it ?
 
Only lenses have no duties (only VAT on 110% of the value).

Cameras and other photographic equipment have another 8% duties.

Plus expensive shipping.

At the moment a lot of stuff is cheaper locally.
 
I'm looking to get a Black Friday deal so i can take the camera with me to London when I go there on holiday in December. Shipping from Amazon is free to SA on those cameras so I am basically trying to see if its cheaper to import the camera on Black Friday or if it will be cheaper to buy the camera in London when it is on a Christmas sale and attempt to dodge the import duties at the airport. Using this website, http://www.ftwonline.co.za/customs/tariffs/cameras, I was able to see if there were any cost on importing, and I'm not sure if I am under the correct heading but it says that there is no duties on the cameras. Is anyone able to verify this ?
 
Serg_dc13 said:
I'm looking to get a Black Friday deal so i can take the camera with me to London when I go there on holiday in December. Shipping from Amazon is free to SA on those cameras so I am basically trying to see if its cheaper to import the camera on Black Friday or if it will be cheaper to buy the camera in London when it is on a Christmas sale and attempt to dodge the import duties at the airport. Using this website, http://www.ftwonline.co.za/customs/tariffs/cameras, I was able to see if there were any cost on importing, and I'm not sure if I am under the correct heading but it says that there is no duties on the cameras. Is anyone able to verify this ?
Click to expand...

lol, nope, amazon wont offer free shipping to SA - but if they do ship here, their price will include the import vat and duties - but as already mentioned, cameras have duties and vat, any other info you have is incorrect.
 
I've bought many cameras from B&H and Amazon over the internet.

All you pay is the VAT as well as the courier company'ss clearing charges when it arrives, just be aware that the way Customs calculate VAT is strange (it's always a bit higher than you think it should be in my experience - like 1 or 2 % more).
 
Serg_dc13 said:
I'm looking to get a Black Friday deal so i can take the camera with me to London when I go there on holiday in December. Shipping from Amazon is free to SA on those cameras so I am basically trying to see if its cheaper to import the camera on Black Friday or if it will be cheaper to buy the camera in London when it is on a Christmas sale and attempt to dodge the import duties at the airport. Using this website, http://www.ftwonline.co.za/customs/tariffs/cameras, I was able to see if there were any cost on importing, and I'm not sure if I am under the correct heading but it says that there is no duties on the cameras. Is anyone able to verify this ?
Click to expand...

Don't forget you can claim your 20% VAT back if you buy it in the UK.

Amazon will tell you exactly what the final cost of buying it from them will be on checkout.
 
Sony cameras are officially back in SA, with stock arriving next month. The base model RX100 is a bit over R9k, while cost on the B&H site is a bit over R7k if you add VAT to it.
 
garyc said:
Sony cameras are officially back in SA, with stock arriving next month. The base model RX100 is a bit over R9k, while cost on the B&H site is a bit over R7k if you add VAT to it.
Click to expand...

Problem - B&H and especially Adorama dont appear to ship Sony and many other cameras to S.A anymore. I went through a number of my bookmarked items to find the "cannot ship to destination" message popping up.
I dont know if this is due to new regulations re experting to S.A. or a new shop policy from both stores.
 
garyc said:
Sony cameras are officially back in SA, with stock arriving next month. The base model RX100 is a bit over R9k, while cost on the B&H site is a bit over R7k if you add VAT to it.
Click to expand...

A hair under R8k from Amazon, delivered.

Screen Shot 2017-11-28 at 12.10.02.png
 
I also heard this past week from Orms or ODP that Sony is returning to SA. Not sure who will be importing them.
 
Nanfeishen said:
Problem - B&H and especially Adorama dont appear to ship Sony and many other cameras to S.A anymore. I went through a number of my bookmarked items to find the "cannot ship to destination" message popping up.
I dont know if this is due to new regulations re experting to S.A. or a new shop policy from both stores.
Click to expand...

Pretty clear from the popup I got.

Screen Shot 2017-11-28 at 12.16.08.png
 
Secondhand lens import

I would like to buy a secondhand lens on e-bay from Japan. Does anyone here know if we are allowed to import secondhand gear and import duties and tax on these items are calculated?

Regards,

Francois
 
Hi Francois

I am not sure what the taxes etc are on these but I would recommend you try out Scott's Shipping. He is a member here on MyBroadband and has a website where you can ask a quote to import the items for you. He will then provide you with a quote including taxes and import costs.

I used him 3 months ago to import a 2nd hand Nikon 80-200mm F2.8 lens and was not disappointed. Shipping took about 8 days if I remember correctly although my item was in the USA.

Link to his website: https://www.scottshipping.co.za/

Hope this helps you a bit.

Kind regards
 
You can also take a look at Aramex Global shopper for importing goods. They provide shipping destinations (local address to use when you check-out online) in most of the main countries where one would like to buy consumer electronics. They then ship and forward it to South Africa for you (they also provide reasonable pricing as well as a means to insure the goods being shipped).

https://www.aramexglobalshopper.com/en/home
 
Just a heads up on the Customs calculation of VAT.
The VAT is meant to be calculated on the landed cost of the goods, so the formula for VAT calculation is as follows.
(The Invoice (or FOB) cost + 10% + any duties) x 14% = VAT
The +10% is to cover any handling and freight charges.
The +any duties - if the item is duty free then there is nothing added here.
If you are charged VAT above this amount then you are being ripped off.
 
Stalin said:
Just a heads up on the Customs calculation of VAT.
The VAT is meant to be calculated on the landed cost of the goods, so the formula for VAT calculation is as follows.
(The Invoice (or FOB) cost + 10% + any duties) x 14% = VAT
The +10% is to cover any handling and freight charges.
The +any duties - if the item is duty free then there is nothing added here.
If you are charged VAT above this amount then you are being ripped off.
Click to expand...
VAT is 15%
 
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