Importing Electronics from ebay?

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Mikrouwel

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Hi Guys,

I am considering buying a new smart phone off ebay and would like to know how the customs charges are calculated.

From what I have read you only have to pay VAT on electronics and a small handling fee (R20 - R30).

Does that mean if I buy a phone for R100 I will be charged (100*0.14) R14 in taxes plus a small handling fee? (ie I will about R145 in total)

Also has anybody ever brought items off ebay and if so how was the experience?
 
It largely depends on how the goods are shipped to you. If they come via EMS, then you're at the mercy of the dolt at customs who examines your parcel. Sometimes they just charge you a handling fee and VAT, while other times they charge you a flat 20% import duty (if you're importing the goods in your private capacity) + VAT + an admin fee.

If you're getting the goods with a courier service, goods below a certain value tend to just attract VAT.

Be warned though that should you go the EMS route, your chances of getting your goods are minimal. EMS goes through the post office. The EMS office doesn't respond to email, hardly ever answer the phone, and believe that stealing your goods is a job perk.
 
zambussi said:
Be warned though that should you go the EMS route, your chances of getting your goods are minimal. EMS goes through the post office. The EMS office doesn't respond to email, hardly ever answer the phone, and believe that stealing your goods is a job perk.
Click to expand...

I've had one EMS item go missing in 13 years. I've had probably >100 EMS items sent to me in that time. EMS is insurable.

If you pay through PayPal on Ebay, the seller has to prove that you received the goods. EMS is online trackable. If the item goes missing he has to refund you or PayPal will force him to refund you. Just file a claim within 45 days. It's a situation in your favour.

Normally FedEx charge R145 for the privilege of charging you customs duty. EMS fee is R35. I would go with EMS. You'll also save a lot on shipping. And the item is insured anyway, so why care? Sometimes EMS delivers faster than FedEx/DHL because the couriers demand payment by EFT before they deliver the parcel. With EMS it is COD.

To avoid the guy overcharging you, make sure you have the seller put down the proper tariff code and description, including invoice.

However, it is possible to also be undercharged.

You can track items here:
http://ems.sapo.co.za/EmsWebSite/index.htm

Once parcel has left original country it takes 2-3 days for it to arrive in SA. It will then appear on the SAPO site.

What you then do is call the CUSTOMS at your local post depot. I'm in Cape Town and I usually call Cape Mail. Then I ask for CUSTOMS. The person there takes my number and they can track the parcel, and even tell you the charge. You can ask him to hold the item and pick it up (and pay yourself). That way if you think u're overcharged you can argue it out with the SAPO or SARS guy.
 
Mikrouwel said:
Hi Guys,

I am considering buying a new smart phone off ebay and would like to know how the customs charges are calculated.

From what I have read you only have to pay VAT on electronics and a small handling fee (R20 - R30).

Does that mean if I buy a phone for R100 I will be charged (100*0.14) R14 in taxes plus a small handling fee? (ie I will about R145 in total)

Also has anybody ever brought items off ebay and if so how was the experience?
Click to expand...

VAT is calculated on 110% of the value.

Note that if you order more than 3 items per year, FedEx (or other courier) will demand you sign a release form that you don't order more than 3 items per year from overseas. If you order >3 items per year, you need to register with SARS.

Personal opinion: I'm in Cape Town. EMS Shipments from USA, Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and China have always arrived for me. The one item which went missing was from Japan and it was 6 years ago. Since then EMS has been great and I've not been disappointed. With PayPal assurance you don't really risk much other than time. Just open a case within 45 days if the seller won't refund you.

Of course maybe Cape Mail is less corrupt than other branches. So your mileage may vary.
 
Last edited:
Space_Chief said:
I've had one EMS item go missing in 13 years. I've had probably >100 EMS items sent to me in that time. EMS is insurable.

If you pay through PayPal on Ebay, the seller has to prove that you received the goods. EMS is online trackable. If the item goes missing he has to refund you or PayPal will force him to refund you. Just file a claim within 45 days. It's a situation in your favour.

Normally FedEx charge R145 for the privilege of charging you customs duty. EMS fee is R35. I would go with EMS. You'll also save a lot on shipping. And the item is insured anyway, so why care? Sometimes EMS delivers faster than FedEx/DHL because the couriers demand payment by EFT before they deliver the parcel. With EMS it is COD.

To avoid the guy overcharging you, make sure you have the seller put down the proper tariff code and description, including invoice.

However, it is possible to also be undercharged.

You can track items here:
http://ems.sapo.co.za/EmsWebSite/index.htm

Once parcel has left original country it takes 2-3 days for it to arrive in SA. It will then appear on the SAPO site.

What you then do is call the CUSTOMS at your local post depot. I'm in Cape Town and I usually call Cape Mail. Then I ask for CUSTOMS. The person there takes my number and they can track the parcel, and even tell you the charge. You can ask him to hold the item and pick it up (and pay yourself). That way if you think u're overcharged you can argue it out with the SAPO or SARS guy.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for the advice and info :)
 
Mikrouwel said:
Thank you very much for the advice and info :)
Click to expand...

Pleasure. :)

One more thing: if you plan on intercepting the parcel at Customs yourself, note that they fast track EMS stuff. It gets priority. So it may be through customs very fast.

Here's an example. Item shipped on 13 Oct at 18:20 at Toshima, Tokyo. Arrived in Cape Town on my doorstep on 18 October, at 15:00.

Deliver item 2012/10/18 15:08:00 CAPEMAIL CENTRE COURT
Handover item to delivery agent 2012/10/18 07:19:57 CAPETOWN E EMS
Receive item at delivery office 2012/10/18 05:57:38 CAPETOWN E EMS
Receive item at location 2012/10/17 23:00:49 CAPETOWN A AIR PRIORITY LETTER
In transit 2012/10/18 09:20 CAPEMAIL (HUB)
From Customs 2012/10/18 07:12 CAPEMAIL (HUB)
In transit 2012/10/17 13:42 JHB INT MAIL CENTRE (HUB)
To Customs 2012/10/16 02:16 JHB INT MAIL CENTRE (HUB)
Incomming International 2012/10/16 02:16 JHB INT MAIL CENTRE (HUB)
Click to expand...


See attached JPEG to see what Originating Country EMS tracking looks like.
ems.jpg
 
Last edited:
Space_Chief said:
Pleasure. :)

One more thing: if you plan on intercepting the parcel at Customs yourself, note that they fast track EMS stuff. It gets priority. So it may be through customs very fast.

Here's an example. Item shipped on 13 Oct at 18:20 at Toshima, Tokyo. Arrived in Cape Town on my doorstep on 18 October, at 15:00.




See attached JPEG to see what Originating Country EMS tracking looks like.
View attachment 33706
Click to expand...

Okay thanks again man,

I sent you PM :)
 
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