Ordering off Aliexpress? Advice?

J

JordanBettridge

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Hi Guys,
So I need to order off Aliexpress. Problem is, Ive ordered a lot from them in the past. (Well 4/5 times) and not received it once. I see it arrive in ZA then it goes dark. The problem is SAPO issue their own tracking number when it arrives in the country, but don't give it apparently to the seller, so I never get it, so I cant pick it up from the post office because they 'cant find it' because I don't have a tracking number for them to search the shelf... any advice? Would getting a PO box help? Im in KZN so this could be part of the issue lol SAPO are even worse here than CPT and JHB!
 
What kind of item, I know some forum members are using alternatives, i.e. for clothes they use Shein which deliver direct to the door. I stopped buying from Aliexpress for that same reason.
 
rh1 said:
What kind of item, I know some forum members are using alternatives, i.e. for clothes they use Shein which deliver direct to the door. I stopped buying from Aliexpress for that same reason.
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Oh I see, mainly small tech items like IP cameras, little gadget things that cost around R50-R200. So it doesn't warrant the usual R500 DHL shipping price.
 
Have a look at Banggood.com as well
I love them
They bypass the SAPO and use Buffalo Couriers here which is dirt cheap, I usually around 40 bux for delivery

Remember you can only order 3 times per year up to a maximum of R20k

After that you need an importers code, which is easy to get and for life. I used to order loads but then in 2019 customs put a halt to my deliveries on my 11th order for the year, I chatted to SARS very nicely and pleaded stupidity (truth in there) that I didnt know how it worked.

They gave me all the forms to fill in for importers code but I didnt bother, I figured if I am not buying anything then I am saving money :thumbsup:
 
Pineapple Smurf said:
Have a look at Banggood.com as well
I love them
They bypass the SAPO and use Buffalo Couriers here which is dirt cheap, I usually around 40 bux for delivery

Remember you can only order 3 times per year up to a maximum of R20k

After that you need an importers code, which is easy to get and for life. I used to order loads but then in 2019 customs put a halt to my deliveries on my 11th order for the year, I chatted to SARS very nicely and pleaded stupidity (truth in there) that I didnt know how it worked.

They gave me all the forms to fill in for importers code but I didnt bother, I figured if I am not buying anything then I am saving money :thumbsup:
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Oh thats awesome okay. Thank you for the heads up I appreciate it!
 
JordanBettridge said:
Oh thats awesome okay. Thank you for the heads up I appreciate it!
Click to expand...
The 3 times a year for up to R20k is for everything you purchase, not per place. So if you order from Amazon and Alliexpress and Bangood and eBay or whatever it is a total of 3 times a year, January --> December.

Those naais track you by your ID number here
 
Our international award journalist of the year @Jan wrote a nice article on getting your importers code here

Guide: How to get your importers code

How to get your importers code from SARS — save thousands on tech South African online shoppers who want to do a lot of buying from international stores will require a SARS importers code. Popular global retailers like Amazon.com offer great prices on tech and gadgets, and sells many products...
mybroadband.co.za mybroadband.co.za
 
SAPO doesn't give out those numbers anymore. They use the same original number which can be tracked through the global tracking website. Just search upu tracking and type in your tracking number.
 
Any thoughts if this is wise to do? Thinking of purchasing this from Aliexpress as they're the only ones who have this item. Does the shipping all look legit at R577 for Fedex IP? When it lands in SA does it then go over to the SAPO or does Fedex deliver it to your door?

Sorry I've never ordered from Aliexpress, and it's an expensive item....
 
Wrath of Khan said:
Any thoughts if this is wise to do? Thinking of purchasing this from Aliexpress as they're the only ones who have this item. Does the shipping all look legit at R577 for Fedex IP? When it lands in SA does it then go over to the SAPO or does Fedex deliver it to your door?

Sorry I've never ordered from Aliexpress, and it's an expensive item....
Click to expand...

FedEx will be FedEx from beginning to end, but just be aware they will probably charge a extra R350 disbursement fee to clear it through customs when it arrives in South Africa.
 
airborne said:
FedEx will be FedEx from beginning to end, but just be aware they will probably charge a extra R350 disbursement fee to clear it through customs when it arrives in South Africa.
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ahh ok cool thanks for the info :)
 
I ordered an item, and I got a notification in the tracking 2 days ago that the delivery was unsuccessful. The tracking note says: Missed Delivery/Attempted delivery today

Of course, no one rung the bell or attempted to contact me in any way.

But what I don't understand is that normally SAPO just puts a slip in your box to collect at a post office. I've never had SAPO hand-deliver an item before.

What is the process now? I don't know which branch it could be at and it's impossible to contact SAPO.
 
Has anybody used EMS courier service? I know they are affiliated with the South Africa post office but not sure if it is a door to door delivery service or must the item be picked up from the post office. I ordered an item from China and the latest tracking states it is with Tshwane speed services and out for delivery but it has been like this since last Wednesday.
 
Pineapple Smurf said:
The 3 times a year for up to R20k is for everything you purchase, not per place. So if you order from Amazon and Alliexpress and Bangood and eBay or whatever it is a total of 3 times a year, January --> December.

Those naais track you by your ID number here
Click to expand...
Seriaas?
I didn't know this. "I know a guy" who bought from Crooober (Japan) x3, Wish, 4 x and once from Alli Express all in one year.
 
Wrath of Khan said:
Any thoughts if this is wise to do? Thinking of purchasing this from Aliexpress as they're the only ones who have this item. Does the shipping all look legit at R577 for Fedex IP? When it lands in SA does it then go over to the SAPO or does Fedex deliver it to your door?

Sorry I've never ordered from Aliexpress, and it's an expensive item....
Click to expand...
My last order from them never arrived. Ordered in May, expected delivery was 5 July, it never arrived. I gave it another week, then requested a refund. Refund was paid within 3 days.
I used the tracking number they provided, and apparently it's still at customs since 5 July.
 
AliExpress deliveries have been a bit whack lately. Seems they are using a new logistics service that routes through Malaysia, so the Tracking number changes. My last three parcels started off with YP tracking numbers, then changed to MY and then to ZA :unsure:
 
Hi.
I need to order from Aliexpress. I have searched high and low. I could only find it there. I see (and know) the issues with SAPO, but where and how do you choose a courier? Will it not by default go to SAPO?

Thanks
Renier
 
So I order some stuff on aliexpress my first time ordering with them. Is it safe ? Does it take long ?

They really have things that are very difficult to find elsewhere. Like foldable mini pocket scissors, super tiny calculators and micro staplers(the kind that uses no 10 staples and you get in Xmas crackers).

I would like to order more stuff but I'm not sure how reliable the delivery is. They don't use the SAPO anymore.

Anyone with some ideas ?
 
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