Importing stuff via person

My_King

My_King

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Looking for a TL;DR answer on buying stuff overseas...

Here is everything you need to know to ensure your entry into South Africa is hassle-free.

Customs Duty​

When you enter South Africa, you must declare any goods that attract duties to a customs official and pay the relevant duties and VAT. Customs duty is levied on imported goods based on the value of the goods.

Duty-free Goods​

Visitors to South Africa: Personal effects, sporting and recreational equipment, new or used, imported either as accompanied or unaccompanied baggage, for your own use during your stay.
South African Residents: Personal effects and sporting and recreational equipment, new or used, exported for your own use while abroad and subsequently re-imported either as accompanied or unaccompanied baggage.

What has your experience been like?

Did you buy something niceee while in a different country and when you got back, did you declare it?

*No I do not work for SARS, **** em, just want to know if you got away with bringing in something?
 
My_King said:
Ek wil weet of ek moet reg staan met invoices en geld of kan ek net deur loop
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Hoe skuldig gaan jy voel as jy nie betaal nie..?

As jy net deur loop, niks se nie en hulle besluit om jou te stop en jou tasse deur te gaan, gaan jy betaal en 'n boete ook kry..

Dit gese, ek weet van baie mense wat net deur loop, nooit gestop nie, bokse en invoices weg gooi indien hulle wel gestop word, kan hulle net se ek het dit in SA gekoop..
 
It’s a toss of a coin whether you will get a full customs search or not but it seems the majority of the time not so probably worth risking it. Also don't keep the packaging, if you buy something throw away the boxes etc so you have plausible deniability that it’s just your regular old phone/macbook etc.
 
airborne said:
It’s a toss of a coin whether you will get a full customs search or not but it seems the majority of the time not so probably worth risking it. Also don't keep the packaging, if you buy something throw away the boxes etc so you have plausible deniability that it’s just your regular old phone/macbook etc.
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Will let you guys know next week how it went.
 
I bought a Noctua cooler when i was in the US many years ago before you could be them locally.

Didnt know I had to declare it so just walked out ORT, they didnt search anyhting.
 
My_King said:
Then I am in luck, old gaming stuff
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If it’s second hand and not for sale in South Africa, then I’m sure you’re completely fine.

But wrap it in a condom and put it in your ass just in case.
 
Your duty-free allowance is R250,00. After that it is a nominal 25% duty
Not much today, but (at least in Cape Town) SA Customs are flexible
If you have a few items, write the Rand equivalent value, name and serial number and hand this to the Customs agent. They will possibly want to check where these items are in your luggage. The easier you make their life, the less hassle you will have
I have seen people have their cases upended on the table when they get snotty with the agent. This can delay you for hours
Always declare it. Cheap stuff they don't bother with. My wife had an illuminated plastic Eiffel Tower and this caused them to laugh
 
They aren’t going to bother you unless you have something sharp(knife/scissors) or liquid above 200m(iirc) in your hand luggage. No batteries in cargo. No coke in your bunghole.
 
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