Import TAX on a used iPhone?

[Schwartz]

Hi,
I have seen other threads on this but they either for a NEW iPhone or there were no responses.

I am importing an iPhone 3G 16GB White for R2 200. The item is used.

If it is marked as a gift, what will I have to pay when it gets here?
Thanks

 

[bwana]

Some people seem to think otherwise but in my experience it really doesnt matter if the item is marked as a "gift" or not.

If the sender puts a value on the customs declaration then it will probably be used to calculate the taxes/duty as long as customs is satisfied it's a fair assessment.

 

[Shake&Bake]

Someone mentioned in the thread about importing from China that he gets his goods marked as a sample and then pays no duties. IIRC

Don't know if that would work in your scenario.

 

[Schwartz]

ok.. will see if the seller is prepared to mark it as a sample!
else a $50 gift cant hurt me too much

 

[Sensorei]

Someone mentioned in the thread about importing from China that he gets his goods marked as a sample and then pays no duties. IIRC

Don't know if that would work in your scenario.

That is what I do. I have done that with 50 mp3 players marked as samples and not paid any vat/tax.

 

[Schwartz]

That is what I do. I have done that with 50 mp3 players marked as samples and not paid any vat/tax.

cool... so you just tell the sender to mark as a sampl and it just gets delivered to you free of charge?

 

[Sensorei]

Yes, ask them to make out a proforma invoice with the value of the item stated and then print that it is a sample.

 

[bwana]

ok.. will see if the seller is prepared to mark it as a sample!
else a $50 gift cant hurt me too much

I take it you're not going to insure the item. How is it being shipped over?

 

[FaNIX]

as far as I know, if you can't insure the item if you dont declare it, so if you really want to take that risk then it's up to you. I guess using DHL or FedEX should be fine, but sending something with USPS without insurance is a bit dodgy...

 

[Schwartz]

will get him to mark as a "sample"
Thanks guys

 

[FaNIX]

please let us know if customs charges you anything.

 

[Schwartz]

please let us know if customs charges you anything.

will do,

BTW, aren't you also importing an iPhone?

 

[PeterCH]

SARS says you can have a max of R500 gifts per year. So if you get a GIFT and it's R500 - there goes your quota. If you get a R5000 gift, they should take R500 off and use the remainder as part of the calculation.

A used iPhone will get charged whatever the declared price was - unless it's not believable. In which case you will have to cough up a PROOF OF PAYMENT. That is usually a bank printout showing the PayPal US Dollar fee charged to your credit card or some bank wire transfer statement or other Credit Card transaction.

Also if you under declare know this: if the item gets lost your insurance will only refund you the value you declared - so a R5000 item declared as R1000 will get you R1000 from FedEx if lost or broken.

 

[FaNIX]

will do,

BTW, aren't you also importing an iPhone?

Yes I am, it arrived in SA on Friday, it's with customs now, hopefully if will clear tomorrow, if so, then delivery should be Tuesday. Can't wait...

 

[Schwartz]

Yes I am, it arrived in SA on Friday, it's with customs now, hopefully if will clear tomorrow, if so, then delivery should be Tuesday. Can't wait...

please tell me what customs you paid, how much you paid for the actual phone and was it marked as a gift?
Thanks

 

[FaNIX]

will only find out tomorrow what I need to pay. i paid $680 for the phone and $75 shipping. it was marked as a gift, not sure if the guy wrote the value of the package on the form.

 

[Schwartz]

will only find out tomorrow what I need to pay. i paid $680 for the phone and $75 shipping. it was marked as a gift, not sure if the guy wrote the value of the package on the form.

cool. Let us know.... and what company was used for $75 shipping? was it like 2 days?

 

[FaNIX]

cool. Let us know.... and what company was used for $75 shipping? was it like 2 days?

Well, the advert said $75 for USP 3 day service, but the guy screwd me and sent it with USPS Express Mail International It took freaking 6 working days to get here still at customs...