Ordering a Camera from overseas...?

[ponder]

Ok so help me out here...according to your formula what would the import duties be on an item that costs around R3300 (where shipping is already included in the price)...?

For starters the shipping costs are excluded but for arguments ake lets work on R3300.

R3300+10%=R3630+14%=R4138.20

 

[DotKomrade]

Well, if your camera costs about R3k before shipping you should pay R737 for import duty and VAT. If they screwed it up and charged you duties on the shipping too, you'd pay about R811. I get the total as R4 111.04

Hope that helps.

 

[mandana]

question: is this import duty the same for lenses?

thanx in advanced

 

[Zenbaas]

Thanks for the input guys.

Does anybody know if Amazon ships to SA...? (In this case cameras)

 

[xplorer]

Guys, there is no imporr duty on cameras and lenses, nor ad valorum tax, nor surcharge.

However, you must pay VAT on all imports which is calculated at 14% of CUSTOMS VALUE.

Now this Customs Value is calculated as the FOB value uplifted by 10%

FOB value excludes any packaging fees, handling charges, insurance and freight costs. It is just the cost of the actual goods.

This is converted to Rands at the current bank selling rate applicable on the day if clearing through customs.

So for example your camera costs US$300 at R7.00 per $ then your FOB value is R2100.

Your Customs Value is
R2100 plus 10% = R2310

So VAT at 14% of tnat is R323.40

If the goods arrive by mail and you go clear it yourself at the international parcels counter at your main sorting center (Cape Mail in Goodwood for Cape Town) then you will also pay a flat R30.00 clearing fee per shipment.

If it is sent vua UPS or other courier, they will add on a few other charges too which as a percentsge can be heavy on small purchases but in larger purchases are insignificant.

If you can get an item from Amazon at a good price, their invoice will usually INCLUDE all local costs too such ad customs, VAT, delivery, etc plus you can ask for a Rands invoice then there will be no surprises

 

[hilton]

^^^^^^^
Good information this.

Thanks.

 

[Paul_S]

Guys, there is no imporr duty on cameras and lenses, nor ad valorum tax, nor surcharge.

Things must have changed since 2000.
I imported a camera from New York in 2000 and ended up paying close to 30% extra in import duties/tax and VAT.

 

[xrapidx]

You also get charged a 'handling fee' by certain couriers like UPS... which is a bit unfair considering you've already paid them to transport the bloody camera.

 

[Paul_S]

You also get charged a 'handling fee' by certain couriers like UPS... which is a bit unfair considering you've already paid them to transport the bloody camera.

Ah, that could have been it. It was couriered by UPS.
In the end I paid about the same as I could have bought locally, had no local support and had to wait longer. Lesson learnt.

 

[RanzB]

You also get charged a 'handling fee' by certain couriers like UPS... which is a bit unfair considering you've already paid them to transport the bloody camera.

I think that's a disbursement fee for them to handle the charge at customs. It is quite high though, the leeches.

 

[xrapidx]

I think that's a disbursement fee for them to handle the charge at customs. It is quite high though, the leeches.

Thats the one - mine was R114 on a R200 customs/vat charge.