Ordering from Amazon merchant + SA customs

[Zukat]

Good day,

I am new at this and would like to ask for an advice from those who have dealt with ordering electronics from overseas. I want to order a mobile phone from one of the amazon.com merchants who ship internationally. Basically the cost of the phone will be USD600 + USD50 for shipment to SA, which works out chipper then buying it here.

The only issue I have are the underwater rocks that I might hit when the cellphone arrives at SA customs office... I read up on it and it looks like the customs charges will be calculated as follows:
USD600 @ R7 = R4200 x 1.1 = R4620 x 14% = R646.80 will be the total amount payable. Can you please advise if my calculations are correct and if any other "surprise" charges might come my way? Also do you need to register to obtain CCN if you are doing it once off?

Thank you.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

Your calculations seem correct but be careful your parcel does not get blocked and then requireing the services of a clearing agent (R300-R500). Something that has happened a lot this year.

Not to forget that it might get lost.

If you have a choice on delivery, use UPS as they are clearing agents and you pay them custom duties (and safer)

 

[KERU]

Customs is really the pits at the moment. My delivery has been lying with customs since 27th of September.
They still haven't cleared it. The value of the package is $9.99.

 

[Zukat]

Thanx for the info, Im starting to doubt my decision to order from overseas... is the risk worth the R1100 that im saving if ordered overseas compared to local vodacom stock??>

 

[ld13]

Remember that Vodacom will give you a nice 2 year warranty ... and that your phone won't be ICASA approved - but who cares what they think in any case.

 

[KERU]

You just need to make sure the vendor ships all the documentation, invoices and proof of payment. I ordered a Kindle in July and got it delivered in 4 days.