Ordering off Aliexpress? Advice?

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!
 
....and in the time it took to write the previous posts, another Speedaf email. This one links to the Speedaf Express website. The previous one went to Meililogistics.
 
Mapancho said:
How you calculate that about the tax?
Because R195 it's too much for something l bought $7.04 and $7.10 for shipping.
Who to contact about this or it's the right amount l must pay.
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This how local post office said they calculate the amount l must pay.
They also said LCD is in the electronical category that's why l must pay R195.
 

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Mapancho said:
This how local post office said they calculate the amount l must pay.
They also said LCD is in the electronical category that's why l must pay R195.
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At today's exchange rate, $14.14 is R255.87. Assuming they are charging vat on cost of goods and shipping, I make the vat R38.38. No idea how they get R59.38. Even if you add vat to the duties, it still doesn't come to R59. Notice how they are careful to not show cost of goods or shipping on that paperwork.
 
ChrisDC58 said:
At today's exchange rate, $14.14 is R255.87. Assuming they are charging vat on cost of goods and shipping, I make the vat R38.38. No idea how they get R59.38. Even if you add vat to the duties, it still doesn't come to R59. Notice how they are careful to not show cost of goods or shipping on that paperwork.
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Normal price for the item was 17.33usd, but because it was my first time to buy something at Ali they gave me a discount.

But still I'm not happy with it. My friend bought cordless mic for more than R1000 he paid R38.70 at our local post office
 

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Mapancho said:
This how local post office said they calculate the amount l must pay.
They also said LCD is in the electronical category that's why l must pay R195.
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Maybe they thought you imported a LCD TV or something.

This is mine which costed R38.70

IMG_20241217_202824.jpg
 
When I was boy (about 50 years ago) you got these things called stamps, see attached. If you wanted to send someone something, a letter or a parcel, you attached some of these (I think 4c covered a standard letter anywhere is SA, or at least your province). In the case of a parcel, you took it to the Post Office, they weighed it, then sold you the required number of stamps. That was it! The recipient got the letter delivered to their post box or in case of a parcel, a notification to collect it at the Post Office.

Now here's the kicker...the recipient paid nothing. Your stamp was the 'handling fee'. Fast forward to today and it looks like the postal service works on a 'reverse charges' system - the recipient is liable for all the costs. No wonder online traders offer free shipping - it really is free - for them!
 

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Spontaneous spinach said:
Yo guys so i got an email from Meili & Speedaf to pay customs on an AliExpress order , so i assume it's legit?
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Had the same. Paid and received goods.

I've also been getting emails from Logistek Couriers about a parcel from China. Tracking page has logs of movement of parcel and now stuck at customs, waiting for payment from me.

Fake as fake can be. I have no parcels outstanding and that tracking number looks so real, yet it's fake.
 
Leisure Larry said:
Had the same. Paid and received goods.

I've also been getting emails from Logistek Couriers about a parcel from China. Tracking page has logs of movement of parcel and now stuck at customs, waiting for payment from me.

Fake as fake can be. I have no parcels outstanding and that tracking number looks so real, yet it's fake.
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That's the one thing i am afraid of happening is these asshøles spreading my personal details for phishing scams 😩😩


Was your duties abnormally high? Mine was half the cost of the item i order which was just a 30 cm light weight plastic fairing piece
 
Leisure Larry said:
About R132,00 on an order of R1,000,00
Cables and adapters
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R132 fees on R1000 is fine, it's less than the VAT. R120 fees on R132 is not fine. Did they give you a breakdown of the R132? It obviously wasn't VAT. My emails from Meili/Speedaf say 'tax notice' in the subject line. But there is no invoice, only a link to a card payment facility. I do happen to be VAT registered, so a proper tax invoice would be nice.
 
ChrisDC58 said:
R132 fees on R1000 is fine, it's less than the VAT. R120 fees on R132 is not fine. Did they give you a breakdown of the R132? It obviously wasn't VAT. My emails from Meili/Speedaf say 'tax notice' in the subject line. But there is no invoice, only a link to a card payment facility. I do happen to be VAT registered, so a proper tax invoice would be nice.
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I'm more than happy with what I paid.
I bring in some goodies every few months and in my experience, this customs thing is just a hit and miss story. You either get whacked or you don't. I always prepare for the worst when I place an order.
 
Leisure Larry said:
I'm more than happy with what I paid.
I bring in some goodies every few months and in my experience, this customs thing is just a hit and miss story. You either get whacked or you don't. I always prepare for the worst when I place an order.
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So if your fees had been R 909.00 on that R1000.00 order, you would have paid it? Without any documentation to show how they arrived at that figure? I'm using the same percentage for you as I'm being asked to pay - 120/132*100=90.9%.
 
ChrisDC58 said:
So if your fees had been R 909.00 on that R1000.00 order, you would have paid it? Without any documentation to show how they arrived at that figure? I'm using the same percentage for you as I'm being asked to pay - 120/132*100=90.9%.
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Like i said, i only order goodies (items that I don't really need, but I can do with, not items to sell).
So I won't be expecting a bill like that for sure.
 
ChrisDC58 said:
So if your fees had been R 909.00 on that R1000.00 order, you would have paid it? Without any documentation to show how they arrived at that figure? I'm using the same percentage for you as I'm being asked to pay - 120/132*100=90.9%.
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If you WhatsApp Meili Logistics (SpeedAF) then you can ask them to recalculate the customs duty.

P.S. every single invoice that they have ever handled is available on their website. Complete with full name, address, phone number...
 
What's the best way to get stuff from Alie here? I can't do the post office like we used too and **** takes too long. I stopped but thinking ordering some stuff.
 
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