Macbook Pro , how to go about Shipping ?

[Night-Fury]

Hey

just wanted to know if anybody has bought a mac from overseas ?

i want to get a Macbook pro from over seas because its like R5 000 - R10 000 cheaper than buying one from S.A , how should i got about it ? , which shipping company should i use ? , what documentation would i require ?

Thanks

 

[Synapta]

ja, i bought a 15" MBP when visiting Singapore a month ago. Paid about R13 800 (after VAT reclaim), for core i7 quad core, 8GB RAM
Thunderbolt version. Its an awesome machine....yes, Macs are pricey, but you get what you pay for!!

If you have a helpful friend/relative going to a country where Macs are cheaper, ask them if they can get it for you.
You can even liaise with the store before hand, if you want to custom spec your MBP. Though this takes a couple
of weeks and they ship it to that store from US.

Not sure about importing directly, but am sure it can be done. Lets hope others can help out with that query.

 

[Catal]

I almost want to say that importing one isn't going to be worth the effort.

It's a hassle, really, and you may not save as much as you are projecting now.
Have you added the almost 25% customs fees?
Then there's the shipping costs + insurance, so add like $150.
And if something should be wrong with your purchase, then returning it is also going to be a biatch.

However, if you feel that I don't know what I'm talking about, please resort to your own judgement and calculations.
This is just my sleepy, late-afternoon opinion.

 

[deanstein]

I dont think any online Apple Stores will actually ship directly to SA. You better off shipping it to a friend or relative who lives the States, the UK etc. and even then, as stated above, getting it here by courier from your friend or relative would cost an arm and a leg!

 

[renierp]

Your best bet would be a service like myUS.com, but they also charge a premium, and then you need to pay the ridiculous taxes. Your best bet will be if you know someone going to the states (or wherever else they are reasonably priced, UK pricing also not too bad). There are also guys from the UK shipping it to SA at reasonable prices, look on eBay. Be careful though and only buy from trusted sellers.
But, as mentioned, bu others and myself, customs are ouch.

 

[Anony-mousse]

I almost want to say that importing one isn't going to be worth the effort.

It's a hassle, really, and you may not save as much as you are projecting now.
Have you added the almost 25% customs fees?
Then there's the shipping costs + insurance, so add like $150.
And if something should be wrong with your purchase, then returning it is also going to be a biatch.

However, if you feel that I don't know what I'm talking about, please resort to your own judgement and calculations.
This is just my sleepy, late-afternoon opinion.

He will be better off ignoring this information indeed because it's wrong. There is no 25% customs duty. If you are convinced you know what you are talking about then please give me the customs code because I can't find anything.

 

[renierp]

He will be better off ignoring this information indeed because it's wrong. There is no 25% customs duty. If you are convinced you know what you are talking about then please give me the customs code because I can't find anything.

There will be customs, I can assure you. It should be 25% on most electronics. You can phone them for exact amounts. Also remember, customs are calculated at exchange rate when it reaches them, not rate when you purchased. Could be good or bad so be careful. Theres Also a handling fee at customs but that's not a lot


Sent from the MyBroadband iPhone App

 

[Anony-mousse]

There will be customs, I can assure you. It should be 25% on most electronics. You can phone them for exact amounts. Also remember, customs are calculated at exchange rate when it reaches them, not rate when you purchased. Could be good or bad so be careful. Theres Also a handling fee at customs but that's not a lot


Sent from the MyBroadband iPhone App

I am importer myself and I checked the most recent customs & excise tariff book but there is nothing for 'computer' or 'computers' or 'laptop' or 'notebook'. So I doubt there is 25% customs duty, only 14% VAT. Open for corrections.

Besides, you can't generalize electronics, the tariffs range from 0-25% depending on the product.

Possible that Catal meant 10% duty + 14% VAT since he said almost 25% customs fee. Which would make much more sense.

And there is often a huge difference whether the product comes from the EU or not. Many products imported from a EU country is free to import wheres the same product from e.g. the US can cost you 20 or even 30% duty.

 

[renierp]

I am importer myself and I checked the most recent customs & excise tariff book but there is nothing for 'computer' or 'computers' or 'laptop' or 'notebook'. So I doubt there is 25% customs duty, only 14% VAT. Open for corrections.

Besides, you can't generalize electronics, the tariffs range from 0-25% depending on the product.

Possible that Catal meant 10% duty + 14% VAT since he said almost 25% customs fee. Which would make much more sense.

And there is often a huge difference whether the product comes from the EU or not. Many products imported from a EU country is free to import wheres the same product from e.g. the US can cost you 20 or even 30% duty.

Distinguishing between vat and duties makes sense. I took it as an average of what he can expect to pay for it to pass through customs. Either way, best is to contact them and make sure


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[noxibox]

There is no import duty or ad valorem on laptops at present, so you will only pay VAT on the value x 1.1

Quite a few manufacturers have an international warranty on their laptops and Apple is one of them.

Expect to pay in the region of R1000 to courier the laptop to South Africa.

Unless you know someone who lives there a forwarding service is your best option.

For Apple products buy from Amazon not the online Apple store (unless you want something customised and know someone who can order on your behalf).