Importing Chinese phone during lockdown

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Christoffdt

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I have ordered multiple phones from Gearbest in the past, but ever since lockdown it seems impossible to ship anything with a battery to South Africa. I get the same basic message from Gearbest, Banggood and AliExpress that no shipping method is available to South Africa.

Does anybody know where I can order a phone from? I am looking for one of the newer Xiaomi/Redmi phones (not sure which yet).

Sorry if I missed a solution in another thread, but all I could find were confirmations that other people have the same experience.

Edit: I see AliExpress seems that it might work, but they don't have any Xiaomi phones
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I've ordered a phone from aliexpress in July. Delivered no issues and in under two weeks. Dhl shipping.
 
Ordered from giztop a couple weeks ago, was delivered this week by DHL. I would recommend rather using AliExpress tho. Not happy with giztops level of customer service
 
Thanks, I see AliExpress could work, but they don't have Xiaomi phones. Or I might not see them because they cannot ship to SA. @juggernaut11 do you have any tips for improving the Giztop buying experience?
 
Christoffdt said:
Thanks, I see AliExpress could work, but they don't have Xiaomi phones. Or I might not see them because they cannot ship to SA. @juggernaut11 do you have any tips for improving the Giztop buying experience?
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My main issue with them, was that I had requested an SA compatible charger, which is the same as the EU charger. They agreed and somehow still ended up sending me a US charger. They also left out a screen protector that was ordered at the same time, but they refunded me the day before the package arrived, without informing me that this was done.

Phone itself is brilliant, charger is quite disappointing, but not a train smash in any way.

My advice- if you have requests, make them confirm the requests in writing, ie: make them type out " we will be sending an EU Wall charger instead of the standard US type". Don't just take their word for it when they say " ok we can do"

Other than that, pay with PayPal so you have protection. They will be listing a lower value for customs, so just pray that it doesn't get inspected. On the upside, I paid like 1k duty for a 10k phone, so you won't be ripped off by the taxman.

Prices are quite decent, make sure to use the 2% given by signing up for their newsletter. Also check gizmochina for their latest voucher codes and discounts
 
Christoffdt said:
I have ordered multiple phones from Gearbest in the past, but ever since lockdown it seems impossible to ship anything with a battery to South Africa. I get the same basic message from Gearbest, Banggood and AliExpress that no shipping method is available to South Africa.

Does anybody know where I can order a phone from? I am looking for one of the newer Xiaomi/Redmi phones (not sure which yet).

Sorry if I missed a solution in another thread, but all I could find were confirmations that other people have the same experience.
Click to expand...

Did you ever end up ordering your phone? I also want to do this. Saw the Redmi 10x 4G on Giztop at $179 which is around my price range.
 
GSRit01 said:
Did you ever end up ordering your phone? I also want to do this. Saw the Redmi 10x 4G on Giztop at $179 which is around my price range.
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Not yet, I am still a bit paralysed by the number of different options on the market at the moment. Please let me know how it goes if you decide to order.
 
Christoffdt said:
Not yet, I am still a bit paralysed by the number of different options on the market at the moment. Please let me know how it goes if you decide to order.
Click to expand...

Just realised this option is the Chinese version of the phone and there isnt a global version. Sigh. Not too sure how all that works and if you can work around it. Also trying to find out all the custom and tax etc stuff.
 
Christoffdt said:
I have ordered multiple phones from Gearbest in the past, but ever since lockdown it seems impossible to ship anything with a battery to South Africa. I get the same basic message from Gearbest, Banggood and AliExpress that no shipping method is available to South Africa.

Does anybody know where I can order a phone from? I am looking for one of the newer Xiaomi/Redmi phones (not sure which yet).

Sorry if I missed a solution in another thread, but all I could find were confirmations that other people have the same experience.
Click to expand...

I had a similar issue with Gearbest and getting a phone shipped from the HK warehouse. Sunsky https://www.sunsky-online.com/ is shipping from a CN warehouse. The Mi 10 Ultra Chinese version is available on their site - Google services can be installed from the Mi App store and Takealot has the international to 3pin adapter for R80 as it ships with a US plug
 
dees6 said:
I had a similar issue with Gearbest and getting a phone shipped from the HK warehouse. Sunsky https://www.sunsky-online.com/ is shipping from a CN warehouse. The Mi 10 Ultra Chinese version is available on their site - Google services can be installed from the Mi App store and Takealot has the international to 3pin adapter for R80 as it ships with a US plug
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Have you ordered from them before? I see they also use Buffalo Express, which I normally use from Gearbest.
 
This is the 2nd time I've ordered. The 1st order was a mi box s which is still working perfectly for over a year now.

I will let you know how this order goes later next week. I was requested by Sunsky yesterday to change from Buffalo to the DHL shipping option which is estimated 1-4 business days. The item was dispatched from CN yesterday and is now in the sorting facility in HK strangely

-----Update 03/09/2020
The phone was delivered to me yesterday and there was a transfer via Dubai and Bahrain to Jhb. This process took a total of 5 days. I think that usually the parcels are flown directly from HK to JHB hence the current hassle with Gearbest. I was asked to pay VAT by customs which DHL arranged in advance so that the customs process went smoothly. The phone was packaged securely with heavy duty bubble wrap. Google services is installed and working. All the apps that I used on my Samsung device works on this phone. I am able to charge the phone using the 120w inbox charger and travel adapter from Takealot.
 
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juggernaut11 said:
Ordered from giztop a couple weeks ago, was delivered this week by DHL. I would recommend rather using AliExpress tho. Not happy with giztops level of customer service
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I am looking at ordering a phone from them, besides the customer service any issues? Did you use the express shipping? Not sure what you ordered but was there any customs duties etc? Thanks
 
ands45 said:
I am looking at ordering a phone from them, besides the customer service any issues? Did you use the express shipping? Not sure what you ordered but was there any customs duties etc? Thanks
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No other issues. Yes, express shipping by DHL, about a week till I got, no issues there. Ordered a OnePlus 8, they declared a much lower value, I think 200 usd, so customs was quite cheap, around 1k. Just be aware that if the shipment is stopped for inspection, you will most definitely be fined. But it's worth the risk tbh. Shout if you need any more help
 
juggernaut11 said:
No other issues. Yes, express shipping by DHL, about a week till I got, no issues there. Ordered a OnePlus 8, they declared a much lower value, I think 200 usd, so customs was quite cheap, around 1k. Just be aware that if the shipment is stopped for inspection, you will most definitely be fined. But it's worth the risk tbh. Shout if you need any more help
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Shot for the reply, think I would just take the chance as well
 
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