iPhone 3GS from USA at Customs...

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FaNIX

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So, my iPhone 3GS from USA has arrived and is with customs. The item is declared as a gift, does that mean that customs won't charge me any duty or VAT? :D
 
No, unless they find an invoice in the parcel (yes, they will open it) they will demand one from you. They will then tax you the standard 14% VAT and then another 25% as import tax. You will also have to pay an R25 customs fee.

That's the price you pay if you want to be part of the cool crowd.
 
Fanix, please provide me linky where you sourced it from States side.
 
I never said this, but if they request an invoice from you, just photoshop your original one, and make it half the price or less.

Works like a charm every time I try it. (even if the invoice is inside they are usually 2 lazy to look and will just ask you).

Also, if you change the description to something computer related you won't be charged any duties, just vat.
 
I know you dont pay duties on computer stuff, does the same go for phones? Damm, I seriously hope they don't charge my an extra 25% above of the normal VAT. That would seriously screw me over.

iDol: I bought it for $680 on ebay. loads still available.
 
Rouxenator said:
No, unless they find an invoice in the parcel (yes, they will open it) they will demand one from you. They will then tax you the standard 14% VAT and then another 25% as import tax. You will also have to pay an R25 customs fee.

That's the price you pay if you want to be part of the cool crowd.
Click to expand...

I don't think the parcel has an invoice, it just has the normal customs declaration from USPS, with the value of $680 posted on it, so not sure if they going to charge me 14% VAT... such bs!

Will they now put my item on hold until i provide them with an invoice?
 
If the value has been declared on the customs form you are screwed... if they ask for an invoice make it computer parts. Or else you will face duties & vat on $680 = ouch!
 
Either way they will charge 14% VAT and 25% Import. The R25 they charge is for every parcel they inspect.

If the $680 is a believable value for them then they will calculate the fees on that. If they feel like it, or they do not think it is an realistic value then will send you a notification to please provide you ID and the invoice. They will then use that to calculate the fees. If the invoice and CN22 declaration do not match you will have to get a clearing agent and they can cost you anything from R200+ per parcel.

I have imported lots of stuff and jumped through all the hoops at some stage or another. In the end you start to factor these things in before you import expensive electronics or stuff that will draw a lot of attention.

Maybe you should have just bought a 5800XM locally :p
 
o well, hopefully the guy didn't declare the value, but if he did i'll just end up paying exactly the same as it would have cost to buy it here :( my bad, lol...
 
That how you learn the game of import.... At least you could buy it here - I had to import quite a few things that are not available in SA.

The funny thing for me was always how I imported microSD cards back in the days when 8GB was still going for close to R1000. You have no idea how many of those babies you can get in a small sized airmail letter (which hardly ever gets intercepted).

You win some you lose some.
 
FaNIX, let us know how this goes!
We are all curious...
Good luck though.
 
Strange....I have never been charged 25% for duties. I have recently received an video camera (R32000) and a Fish Eye Lens (R4000) in separate parcels from B&H Photo in New York. If I work out the total VAT AND DUTIES COMBINED it has never been more than 15% (combined). These had invoices with them and were opened in JHB customs. Shipper was UPS

I have been odering stuff from B&h for about 8 years now...still never more than 15%. In fact in earlier years I was not charges Duty for camera periferals like lenses and batteries so it ended up around 7-8%
 
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Leftfoot said:
Strange....I have never been charged 25% for duties. I have recently received an video camera (R32000) and a Fish Eye Lens (R4000) in separate parcels from B&H Photo in New York. If I work out the total VAT AND DUTIES COMBINED it has never been more than 15% (combined). These had invoices with them and were opened in JHB customs. Shipper was UPS

I have been odering stuff from B&h for about 8 years now...still never more than 15%. In fact in earlier years I was not charges Duty for camera periferals like lenses and batteries so it ended up around 7-8%
Click to expand...
You're still not charged duty for lenses - just VAT and whatever import admin fee that they tack on.
 
Customs duty on cellphones is 7%, plus 14%VAT, plus a customs clearance fee, which varies, depending on your clearing agent.

Do you cheat on your tax returns? Do the right thing.
 
simp said:
Customs duty on cellphones is 7%, plus 14%VAT, plus a customs clearance fee, which varies, depending on your clearing agent.

Do you cheat on your tax returns? Do the right thing.
Click to expand...

Are you sure this correct?
I am also importing one so want to know :)
 
simp said:
Do you cheat on your tax returns? Do the right thing.
Click to expand...

There is a difference between what is RIGHT and what is LEGAL. In this case the right thing is not to steal an extra 7-25% from a person in VAT charges - there is no moral reason why anyone should have that extra money especially not the government. What did they contribute to the product? He paid shipping. He paid for postage and packing. He paid for the product. It's theft but because the government does it - they have legislated it in but it is still THEFT - even if dressed up as law. The Nazis said Jews, gays, Gypsies, Poles, Czechs, Russians etc were sub-human and it was OK to exterminate them all - it was law too - it would also have been the 'right thing' to be a Waffen SS Hauptmann and shoot little children as part of your daily job.

The LEGAL thing is not to cheat because you could be fined or imprisoned if they find out. That's not the same as the RIGHT THING. The Right thing would be for governments not to rip people off like this. Instead those funds would go for other purchases and more jobs and income tax would be created - but the government 'knows best'.

Items purchased overseas with foreign countries' infrastructure should not bear VAT in country of destination.
 
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Australia has a nice policy in regard to importing items such as these, ANYTHING under $1000(+/-R6500)just comes straight thru & is not taxed.
 
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