Laptop customs clearance

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soulman

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My laptop has arrived in SA but is detained at SA customs in JHB.

I have the local tracking number from SAPO.

How do I get it cleared? I've called 011 961 6000 and they keep saying they will get back to me but they never do. I have emailed the invoice to them but no response.
 
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You don't have to do anything, SAPO do the clearing for you. If you already have the local waybill info - the II number, then it should just be a matter of days.
What I do if I want something quickly, is drive to SAPO at customs at the airport with your invoice and then they print out the tax invoice on the spot and get the item. You need first to check with them that it is still there and hasn't already been forwarded to mail sorting.
No duties on laptops, you only have to pay VAT - hopefully you declared at full value, if you been naughty and it has been stopped for inspection, and they know the value, fine is in the region of 5k.
Most delays are just because customs and SAPO take their time, should all be ok, at least they haven't "lost" your parcel.
 
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Thanks za1!

I called the SAPO number and they gave me the II number.

Just got off the phone with customs on the 011 961 6000 number and they say I need a clearing agent?

How do I get to SAPO at customs? I'm in the east rand, Jet park is not far.

Do I pay the VAT at SAPO at customs?

Thanks again.
 
How do I get to SAPO at customs? will drive there now.

Do they accept cards for the VAT payment?
 
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just past the casino E/Palace, road to your left, drive to gate, sign in. Make sure you dont have things in the boot they inspect on the way out.
 
thanks, do they accept credit cards for the VAT payment?

do you maybe have their phone number? :)
 
good luck with calling them I usually just go and check if it is there....

sure they do accept cards it is a normall post office there
 
you have the number 0119616000 or 0119616038/9
Ask for Christine - damn hard to get an answer, but if you persistant you can ge through
Best as I said to check it is there still, but they are not reliable - I have arranged a few times to collect things, get there, and oops been sent to mail sorting sorry

Edit: ok, ignore the above, I see you have called them and have the II number

If its there, they can process the documents while you wait, and yeh, cards are just fine, dont forget ID as well

edit: nonsense BTW re clearing agent, the Post Office are the clearing agents. Sounds like its there, I would just drive there and it should be sorted out while you there.
 
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I just got back from there.

SARS detained my laptop because of it's high-value. I was given a detention notice.

They told me the only way to get the laptop now is to use a clearing agent. :( They couldn't just let me pay the VAT then and there and collect the laptop.

The laptop arrived early last week, it's past 7 days and the detention notice says goods detained will be kept for 7 days then moved to the state warehouse for 90 days.

What do I do? Can you recommend a good clearing agent? Or can I clear this myself?
 
Sorry to hear, nasty having customs stopping goods.
This is news to me, as SAPO normally act as the clearing agent - the shippers always handle this. Maybe its because you dont have an importers code?
You should have asked SAPO there who they normally use, I'm sure they have someone. If not google, there are lots
 
soulman said:
I just got back from there.

SARS detained my laptop because of it's high-value. I was given a detention notice.

They told me the only way to get the laptop now is to use a clearing agent. :( They couldn't just let me pay the VAT then and there and collect the laptop.

The laptop arrived early last week, it's past 7 days and the detention notice says goods detained will be kept for 7 days then moved to the state warehouse for 90 days.

What do I do? Can you recommend a good clearing agent? Or can I clear this myself?
Click to expand...

I used this lady to clear a parcel for me a while back, her name is Monya. misplaced her cell number but her email address is [email protected]
 
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