Importing computers/laptops into SA

stroebs

stroebs

Expert Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2009
Messages
2,109
Reaction score
41
Location
Cape Town
I am planning to import an ASUS G73JH-A2 from the States (Very nice lappie - Core i7-720M, 8GB DDR3 RAM, 1TB(2x500GB) HDD, ATi HD5870 1GB DDR5 GPU, 17.3" FHD LCD)

I have heard so many different things from other people and from searching the forums but not sure what to believe.

This is what I have heard:
-I will have to pay about 50% of the cost of the laptop in taxes
-I will just have to pay VAT + Handling fee
-I will have to pay Invoiced Amount * 10% * VAT
-I will have to pay VAT on top of a large customs clearing fee as well as 25% of the item's worth in customs

Obviously this item is a luxury item but it is still classified as a computer - which is exempt from customs fees, or so I am lead to believe.

Please set me on the right path and maybe this can be stickied for others to read and I can write a guide to importing from the States (Computers in specific)
 
I think the problem is that everybody who imports pays different amounts, depending on how the item comes in, making an exact estimation difficult.
 
stroebs said:
I am planning to import an ASUS G73JH-A2 from the States (Very nice lappie - Core i7-720M, 8GB DDR3 RAM, 1TB(2x500GB) HDD, ATi HD5870 1GB DDR5 GPU, 17.3" FHD LCD)

I have heard so many different things from other people and from searching the forums but not sure what to believe.

This is what I have heard:
-I will have to pay about 50% of the cost of the laptop in taxes
-I will just have to pay VAT + Handling fee
-I will have to pay Invoiced Amount * 10% * VAT
-I will have to pay VAT on top of a large customs clearing fee as well as 25% of the item's worth in customs

Obviously this item is a luxury item but it is still classified as a computer - which is exempt from customs fees, or so I am lead to believe.

Please set me on the right path and maybe this can be stickied for others to read and I can write a guide to importing from the States (Computers in specific)
Click to expand...

Good question, I would like to know myself... been looking at laptops and components on eBay, but have been too scared to try and buy
 
stroebs said:
I am planning to import an ASUS G73JH-A2 from the States (Very nice lappie - Core i7-720M, 8GB DDR3 RAM, 1TB(2x500GB) HDD, ATi HD5870 1GB DDR5 GPU, 17.3" FHD LCD)

I have heard so many different things from other people and from searching the forums but not sure what to believe.

This is what I have heard:
-I will have to pay about 50% of the cost of the laptop in taxes
-I will just have to pay VAT + Handling fee
-I will have to pay Invoiced Amount * 10% * VAT
-I will have to pay VAT on top of a large customs clearing fee as well as 25% of the item's worth in customs

Obviously this item is a luxury item but it is still classified as a computer - which is exempt from customs fees, or so I am lead to believe.

Please set me on the right path and maybe this can be stickied for others to read and I can write a guide to importing from the States (Computers in specific)
Click to expand...

You pay VAT (14%) on 1.1 x declared value + wharfage fee (about R25 for EMS/post office and R114 for couriers).
 
Would it not be classified as a luxury item seeing at it is a gaming machine? I would love to find a guide online somewhere with rough percentages for various items but cannot find one anywhere. I'm going to go ahead and import it under the belief that i'll pay cost * 1.1 * VAT.
 
I have just imported a notebook, I paid R1028 on a USD830 computer. It came in via EMS, so the clearing fee was R25 (included in R1028).

The USD830 does not include the shipping, you don't pay VAT or customs on shipping.

So, Total Taxes = 830 * 7.85 * 1.1 * 0.14 + R25 = R1028

Just note that Customs give you a hard time if you import a single shipment costing more than R20 000, or more than 3 shipments per calendar year. To avoid that you need an Importer Code.
 
Last edited:
When you imported it, how did you transfer the funds? Credit Card? EFT?
 
Credit card - the amount wasn't too big, so there was no problem.

EFT will also work, but more of a hassle and costs more.
 
Would be interested to know stroebs, as well as ive put off buying asus netbook on ebay after reading about all the different extras that could be paid.
 
IceQB said:
Would be interested to know stroebs, as well as ive put off buying asus netbook on ebay after reading about all the different extras that could be paid.
Click to expand...

I would have thought that the information above covers all that you need to know.

Just keep warranty issues in mind before you order.

Also, don't use ordinary airmail, I have had 5 out of 6 airmail parcels stolen over the last few months. Seems that the postal workers feel that they don't earn enough.
 
stroebs said:
Would it not be classified as a luxury item seeing at it is a gaming machine? I would love to find a guide online somewhere with rough percentages for various items but cannot find one anywhere. I'm going to go ahead and import it under the belief that i'll pay cost * 1.1 * VAT.
Click to expand...

I don't think so. It's a computer after all. How would they know you only intend to play with it and not use it for work (AutoCAD/Photoshop/Adobe Premiere Pro)?
 
Thanks all for your replies. I'd use USPS to mail it here. Just waiting for all the funds to be in my account and i'll put my plan into action. I probably won't be using the laptop for gaming just yet. I do however need to a lot of autocad rendering on-the-go because i move from class to class every day. Also planning to import a little netbook with a 6-cell battery so i can use that for note taking.
 
Pls reply

stroebs said:
Thanks all for your replies. I'd use USPS to mail it here. Just waiting for all the funds to be in my account and i'll put my plan into action. I probably won't be using the laptop for gaming just yet. I do however need to a lot of autocad rendering on-the-go because i move from class to class every day. Also planning to import a little netbook with a 6-cell battery so i can use that for note taking.
Click to expand...



So did you end up paying any costums im scarced just now I but and end up havvinv to pay
 
Could always try go through importitall.co.za

Their prices are rather good considering they source and deliver it to you for the price you see on the site. Multiple results too, sometimes ends up being cheaper than from amazon direct + the shipping etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X