-
Join the MyBroadband community
South Africa’s biggest forum. Discuss, discover, and connect with thousands of members.
-
Question of the Day: How do you normally pay for purchases in stores?
Ordering off Aliexpress? Advice?
- Thread starter JordanBettridge
- Start date
@ChrisDC58
Meili Logistics doesn't have a clue on how to calculate customs duty.
They are asking me for more than 50% of the purchase price of an item that is duty free (network equipment), i.e., only has customs VAT plus Speed AF handling charges.
Either that or they have mixed up the calculation of customs duty and vat for my order with that for someone else's order.
You can ask the AI chatbot on sars.gov.za to lookup the tarrif code. Then lookup the duty for that tarrif heading / subheading in the appropriate schedule:
For example Ordinary Customs Duty:
Meili Logistics doesn't have a clue on how to calculate customs duty.
They are asking me for more than 50% of the purchase price of an item that is duty free (network equipment), i.e., only has customs VAT plus Speed AF handling charges.
Either that or they have mixed up the calculation of customs duty and vat for my order with that for someone else's order.
You can ask the AI chatbot on sars.gov.za to lookup the tarrif code. Then lookup the duty for that tarrif heading / subheading in the appropriate schedule:
For example Ordinary Customs Duty:
Thanks for the links. When I started bringing in semiconductors about 10 years ago, I'm pretty sure they were supposed to be duty free. Back then I used SAPO and often there were no charges at all. Then they started with the handling fees, and sometimes customs and vat as well. It all went downhill from there with parcels vanishing forever after arriving in SA. Even if we know we are in the right, they know the time and effort it takes to fight them will far exceed the value of the goods. Think of it as a kind of psychological warfare designed to wear you down.@ChrisDC58
Meili Logistics doesn't have a clue on how to calculate customs duty.
They are asking me for more than 50% of the purchase price of an item that is duty free (network equipment), i.e., only has customs VAT plus Speed AF handling charges.
Either that or they have mixed up the calculation of customs duty and vat for my order with that for someone else's order.
You can ask the AI chatbot on sars.gov.za to lookup the tarrif code. Then lookup the duty for that tarrif heading / subheading in the appropriate schedule:
For example Ordinary Customs Duty:
Tinuva
The Magician
Received my speedaf package today
ahf
Expert Member
On a Saturday? Great service from The Courier Guy.
I'm in a battle with Aliexpress bought a small two way radio and the seller gave me a Fedex IP tracking that belong to a Company in Cape Town, how on earth did he manage to obtain such a valid Fedex tracking number, the shipment is at their Cape Town Hub (16kg! hows that for a small two way radio?)
ahf
Expert Member
Anyone knows how to chat with a human at Aliexpress? Thanks
Tinuva
The Magician
Ali express have a Christmas special on it seems
Ordered some silver speaker wire. In October when I looked, the shipping was R170,00. Yesterday it was free and the price of the item had not altered
Ordered some silver speaker wire. In October when I looked, the shipping was R170,00. Yesterday it was free and the price of the item had not altered
Much to my surprise I have had a response to the email I sent to Meili Support trying to validate the request for fees. They want my tracking number so I have given them that. I also checked the SARS link Zuidera gave me and there is no duty on this type of semiconductor. At today's exchange rate, my order was for R132 (with free shipping), something I've pointed out to the Meili agent. Will be interesting to see what the response is. I realise this must all seem rather petty, but it's the principal. I think we are going to find there is no such thing a 'free shipping', (having to pay VAT I understand) somewhere along the line someone will try and dip into your pocket and exploit the situation.
ahf
Expert Member
Yip terrible customer service no email support
Tinuva
The Magician
Spontaneous spinach
Expert Member
Which option did you pick to get speedaf?
Tinuva
The Magician
Honestly, will show you, but it is completely random and up to the seller.
Chose AliExpress standard shipping.
As shown on my order:
ahf
Expert Member
Yes days ago and his website/store is offline seems that Aliexpress closed his store
Agreed, mine was free shipping at the time. Seller has subsequently raised the price of the goods and there is now a separate shipping charge. I went through the motions of buying again and this is what the current options are - see attached.
Attachments
Had another emailed order update from Ali and it shows the order as departed from departure country / region on 17-12-2024 (today is the 16th) so presumably they are a day ahead. Estimated delivery date is Feb 4th 2025! Yet I've now had 3 emails from Meili asking for money.
I plan well ahead so usually not in a hurry for my stuff, and it's why I choose the cheapest shipping options as it's more cost effective for all concerned. Until Ali allow a roll-up of say 10 different orders from 10 different suppliers, I just can't justify DHL / FedEx and the like. UTSource on the other hand do combine different supplier orders, so maybe worth considering if they have what you want and the value of the order justifies it.. As with Ali, they do trade in counterfeit goods, and in my experience are worse in this regard, so beware!