Importing Laptop: Experience, cost, viable

[noob_saibot]

As the title thread says, I am considering importing a laptop from the US. I've been struggling to find the same level of quality vs. price that companies there offer compared to what we're getting here.

So I would like to know from anyone that has imported a laptop from the US before on what your experience has been like?

Some questions:

Cost of shipping?
Issues with the customs officials?
Import duties?
Product differentiation (did you find what you were looking for overseas, compared to what we get here) ?
Companies that offer the best deals and offer shipping to SA? (I've found a few, but like how we get terrible retailers in SA, I thought I'd find out who the good ones are in the US)
Other countries where it may be cheaper to import (eg. UK or other Europe country) ?

If you have any other feedback, it will be welcome and appreciated.

 

[kili2]

Bump,would also like to know please

 

[Keigo]

Apart from what you mentioned, look at each brand international warranty policy. As most laptops now days are ultrabook or tablet alike, some of them is getting harder to tear down and fix it yourself. So a good warranty provides a peace of mind when bad things happen. So far I give Asus and HP gives a thumbs up.

 

[tnaa]

Bump,would also like to know please

+1 Would also like to know!

 

[Krvn]

Ok lazy asses, Let me help you out with a recent example of what I wanted to do. If I'm wrong here. please correct me.

So, I am taking the example of the MSI GS60 Pro:

US Price: Amazon $1699.00 ~ R18220 (Todays Google Rate of R10.71 - I usually make it about R10.91 to include bank charge 2%-5%) == R18584

ZA Price: Evetech: R25,999 (cash price)

Base Price difference = R7414 (aka, if all the below is less than that, then you've scored)

Cost of shipping?

Since Amazon and co. usually do not ship laptops outside of the 50 states, you will have to use a postal forwarding service. Also, Amazon's shipping will be free to one of these services.

Her are 3 with quotes for this specific item (using the box specifications provided by amazon)

MyUS.com - $86.01 (DHL Express @ 1 - 4 business days)
OPAS.com - $86.42 (UPS Expedited @ 3 - 8 business days)
MYBox.com - $78 (DHL @ 2 - 5 business days)

Comprehensive insurance not included this usually costs an extra $20 - $50 dollars.

With OPAS, this equates to $120.40

Issues with the customs officials?

None, this is not an illegal transaction.

Import duties?

Remeber there are two parts to importing. Duties, and VAT.

There are no 'duties' on laptops.

You have to pay VAT. unfortunately this is on everything including shipping...

Product differentiation (did you find what you were looking for overseas, compared to what we get here) ?

The local version is 16GB RAM vs 8 GB in the US version.

Companies that offer the best deals and offer shipping to SA? (I've found a few, but like how we get terrible retailers in SA, I thought I'd find out who the good ones are in the US)

Read above

Other countries where it may be cheaper to import (eg. UK or other Europe country) ?

Nope, not something I've researched.

___________________________________________________________________________________

So... Where are we..

Local Price = R25,999

US Price = $1699.00
US Shipping = $120.40 (Including insurance)
Local Price = ($1699 + $120.40)*R10.71*1.02 (bank commission) = R19,875.5
SARS VAT @ 14% = R19475.5*1.14 = 22658.05


Difference = R25999 - R22685.05 ~ R3340
Which is a ~12% saving

This will be different for difference products and at different times, like SALES.

Remember:

Warranty Warranty Warranty - make sure that the product you are buying has a global warranty, otherwise the savings you make will go down the drain and then some when you have to ship your item back and back AGAIN.

[My personal Opinion: Negotiate or find a discount on local stock. Unless the savings is above 20%, for me local convenience beats the lure of international savings]

 

[Jola]

I have often imported notebooks, usually when the model is not available here.

The locals often only stock the i5 model, where you may want the i7 model.

Maybe with more memory, the Ultra books are often not user upgradeable, so this is important.

I often use www.Bhphotovideo.com, not because of best price, but because of best service.

BTW, the VAT is on 110% of the value, excluding shipping. But there are also clearing fees.

 

[Krvn]

I often use www.Bhphotovideo.com, not because of best price, but because of best service.

BTW, the VAT is on 110% of the value, excluding shipping. But there are also clearing fees.

Ooh, thanks for that last part, that's not what I read somewhere, 110% makes a difference!

Checked out Bhphotovideo.. The shipping is nuts.