Importing electronics to South Africa?

[DigitalNinja]

Hi guys,
I'd like to know if it's safe and doable to import products to South Africa for my small startup store? From China, a company called tinydeal.com.

Are there any funny laws I need to know about? Customs caveats or anything alike?

They say it's completely fine and all I need to do is order, but just want to make sure.

Please let me know! Many thanks

 

[CamiKaze]

@GTXGaming

 

[DigitalNinja]

?

 

[Gtx Gaming]

Hi guys,
I'd like to know if it's safe and doable to import products to South Africa for my small startup store? From China, a company called tinydeal.com.

Are there any funny laws I need to know about? Customs caveats or anything alike?

They say it's completely fine and all I need to do is order, but just want to make sure.

Please let me know! Many thanks

Make sure the dealer adds an commercial invoice to the order so that you don't have issues at customs. You will pay customs the amount due based on this invoice.

Make sure you always use a courier ,DHL is the best for imports from china . Tried a few companies.

DO NOT try and trick customs by declaring a very low for your goods ,they will most probably flag the shipment then.

 

[DigitalNinja]

Make sure the dealer adds an commercial invoice to the order so that you don't have issues at customs. You will pay customs the amount due based on this invoice.

Make sure you always use a courier ,DHL is the best for imports from china . Tried a few companies.

DO NOT try and trick customs by declaring a very low for your goods ,they will most probably flag the shipment then.

Thanks! So is that all that is needed? A commercial invoice? Where would this invoice need to be? Attached to the order?

DHL for importing from china to SA is the best, or once they arrive here?

Any licensing needed or anything? Tax? Really appreciate the help man!

 

[dualmeister]

Just remember that if the items transmit a WIFI, radio or bluetooth signal, you have to get them ICASA certified by law.

And it costs R4000 per model.

 

[DigitalNinja]

Just remember that if the items transmit a WIFI, radio or bluetooth signal, you have to get them ICASA certified by law.

And it costs R4000 per model.

WOW, that's insane. So any phone's tablet etc? R 4000 per item??? They must be mad! How do all the Indian shops survive and sell things for a few hundred bux then?

 

[dualmeister]

Illegally

 

[Space]

The article below from last week Friday lists a few tips, including registering for an importers code here:


http://www.sars.gov.za/ClientSegmen...re-assessment/Registration/Pages/default.aspx


- If you bring in more than 5 smartphones, you will need permission from Icasa.

- You are limited to 3 imports per calendar year unless you register for an importers code. You need to provide an ID or passport number if you are not a registered importer.

- Registering for an importers code should help speed up any issues at customs, particularly when bringing in multiple devices for personal use.



source:

http://mybroadband.co.za/news/gadgets/147135-how-to-import-black-friday-deals-from-the-usa.html

 

[Space]

WOW, that's insane. So any phone's tablet etc? R 4000 per item??? They must be mad! How do all the Indian shops survive and sell things for a few hundred bux then?

No R4000 once-off for each model of equipment that ICASA needs to certify, plus the waiting-time involved

 

[Space]

WOW, that's insane. So any phone's tablet etc? R 4000 per item??? They must be mad! How do all the Indian shops survive and sell things for a few hundred bux then?

No R4000 once-off for each model of equipment that ICASA needs to certify, plus the waiting-time involved

 

[dualmeister]

Yes R4000 or R2000 for a variant therefore.

Just some of the stuff you have to submit.

 

[Gtx Gaming]

Thanks! So is that all that is needed? A commercial invoice? Where would this invoice need to be? Attached to the order?

DHL for importing from china to SA is the best, or once they arrive here?

Any licensing needed or anything? Tax? Really appreciate the help man!

DHL takes whole package from china to your door step.

They pre-clear your packages for you if you pay them and have the commercial invoice. Attached to package and declared from the dealers side.

You need register as an importer by SARS ,this is free. DA185 form.

You pay VAT and customs fees on all the packages that you bring in. Then you also pay tax as an company/individual when selling your goods.

 

[xbmcfan]

Hi guys,
I'd like to know if it's safe and doable to import products to South Africa for my small startup store? From China, a company called tinydeal.com.

Are there any funny laws I need to know about? Customs caveats or anything alike?

They say it's completely fine and all I need to do is order, but just want to make sure.

Please let me know! Many thanks

Tinydeal's DHL costs are about $50 per parcel.
That's why I don't buy from them any more. They used to reduce the DHL cost to around $15 the more items you bought and total value of parcel was more than a certain value in the past.
2 of my parcels that shipped with airmail from them also got 'lost' at JIMC in South Africa with no way to track the parcels.
Also the ICASA costs of R4000 per model will kill most online shops in South Africa trying to import phones, tablets, tv boxes, smart tv's with build in wifi, wifi printers, wifi speakers, wifi security cameras, smartwatches, routers & baby monitors to name a few thing.

 

[DigitalNinja]

Tinydeal's DHL costs are about $50 per parcel.
That's why I don't buy from them any more. They used to reduce the DHL cost to around $15 the more items you bought and total value of parcel was more than a certain value in the past.
2 of my parcels that shipped with airmail from them also got 'lost' at JIMC in South Africa with no way to track the parcels.
Also the ICASA costs of R4000 per model will kill most online shops in South Africa trying to import phones, tablets, tv boxes, smart tv's with build in wifi, wifi printers, wifi speakers, wifi security cameras, smartwatches, routers & baby monitors to name a few thing.

That's quite steep wow... What size parcel for 50$?

So who do you use now? If anyone has good contacts or shops and experience please shoot! This would be so helpful for me and save me to get messed around!

R4000 "per model" meaning, if I order 5 windows phones, I will have to pay R4000 x 5?

 

[DigitalNinja]

DHL takes whole package from china to your door step.

They pre-clear your packages for you if you pay them and have the commercial invoice. Attached to package and declared from the dealers side.

You need register as an importer by SARS ,this is free. DA185 form.

You pay VAT and customs fees on all the packages that you bring in. Then you also pay tax as an company/individual when selling your goods.

Thanks so much for your valuable input. I was looking to chat with someone already doing this.. And then here you popped up hehe. Any chance we could chat more about this and I could get some advice?

I'm a sole proprietor, is this okay?

Which suppliers / online store do you use to source products?

What are the DHL costs and any other costs I should know about?

Been on the phone with SARS (Surprised at how helpful they are, not like the rest of SA city services) got the forms, will register as an importer. They said it's best to get a clearing agent, but then noticed I mentioned DHL and said that they themselves will do the clearing? Is this all part of the cost?

Thanks again for all your help man!

 

[Judgewarrick]

Hi guys,
I'd like to know if it's safe and doable to import products to South Africa for my small startup store? From China, a company called tinydeal.com.

Are there any funny laws I need to know about? Customs caveats or anything alike?

They say it's completely fine and all I need to do is order, but just want to make sure.

Please let me know! Many thanks

What will or is your store called?