Importing goods using a US postbox service

[Aluminari]

Hi there,

I did a search and found a number of long threads regarding importing from the US, but none that answer my question specifically. I've just moved back to SA, and I am in need of a few items only available from the US. Everything from custom cake pans for my wife, to small consumer electronics/pc components. I thought of using a US postbox service, that essentially let you order from a whole bunch of US suppliers, deliver to their warehouse which is of course local and can get free shipping, where they repackage everything for you and send it on in one parcel. Of course they charge for this service.

It's important to note it is for personal use only, and probably be somewhere in the region of $500-1000 total spent, although quite a few different items.

I began Googling about the tax, and have found very conflicting reports of what I expect to pay. I guess because it is not an exact science and people have different experiences.

My questions are:
- Does anyone have experience working with these US postbox services?

- Do I need to do anything with SARS (do I need some kind of importers license?) - if it goes well I will probably do this a few times per year

- Roughly, what can I expect to pay in terms of import duties?

Thanks!

 

[koeksGHT]

http://www.postbox-courier.com/

 

[agentrfr]

Duties is more hit and miss. Depends entirely on what they feel like on the day. Sometimes they charge too much, but most of the time too little or not at all.

You'll have to register with the post office as an importer if you want to get things more than twice a year. (Its a form and a small fee)

 

[Pooky]

Duties is more hit and miss. Depends entirely on what they feel like on the day. Sometimes they charge too much, but most of the time too little or not at all.

You'll have to register with the post office as an importer if you want to get things more than twice a year. (Its a form and a small fee)

+1 don't even bother trying to look up what they will charge you. I have absolutely no idea the kind of formulas they use to make up these random charges.

 

[Gtx Gaming]

i imported laptop through shipitto.com the other day , just because tnt express is quite cheaper then fedex and dhl for shipping.

I was charged 15.4% on the value of the laptop for custom fees , and R180 admin fee as they had to declare it for me as i am not a registered importer.

With shipitto , i declared what the laptop was worth , so next time in going to make it a bit less , they did not ask any questions etc.

 

[rrh]

If you are going to do this several times a year you should investigate (a) getting an importer's permit and (b) clearing the parcels 'properly', i.e. declaring the tariff codes for each item. That way you pay the applicable tariffs rather than whatever someone feels that it should be ...

 

[froot]

i imported laptop through shipitto.com the other day , just because tnt express is quite cheaper then fedex and dhl for shipping.

I was charged 15.4% on the value of the laptop for custom fees , and R180 admin fee as they had to declare it for me as i am not a registered importer.

With shipitto , i declared what the laptop was worth , so next time in going to make it a bit less , they did not ask any questions etc.

Yeah the 15.4% is standard for electronics - 110% of item value and add 14% tax.

As to underdeclaring... it's hit and miss. Sometimes they don't bother you, sometimes they ask for the invoice and if you've underdeclared it they nail you with a fine to make up 10x what you tried screwing them on.