Raspberry Pi Taxes?

Fortunately didn't pay any tax, was delivered to my door via DHL express.
Here's the info they provided on the package
WEIGHT : 0.50
PIECES : 1
PRODUCT : WPX
CONTENT : Electronic Components
REF : 101xxxxxxx
 
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Customs Import Duty can significantly depend on the entry clerk that processed the customs entry. The Customs Tariff Book has thousands of tariff headings for every imaginable product. If they lazy, they may slap it with a non-specific heading that attracts a general duty charge of anywhere between 5% and 40%.
Example of a non-specific heading that attracts a general duty charge?

According to the manifest it was handled under tariff heading code 6117.80 by customs.
That's "Other made up clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted; knitted or crocheted parts of garments or of clothing accessories - Other accessories", duties 40% if not from EU (20%), EFTA (20%) or SADC (free). It is entirely wrong. Whoever processed it obviously had no idea what it was and just guessed.
 
received my 2nd one direct via dhl and this one had no taxes
 
I was under the impression that electronics don't get taxed. All my stuff I've imported graphics cards, Pi's, even cable always only got VAT (@ 15.8%)
 
I was under the impression that electronics don't get taxed. All my stuff I've imported graphics cards, Pi's, even cable always only got VAT (@ 15.8%)

There are no ad valorem duties on eg. most computer stuffies, only VAT at 14% on 110% of the value (15.4% in total) and a small handling fee.
 
Sounds to me like they didn't know what it is and therefore applied an import duty charge to it over and above the VAT and handling fee.

Happened to me with a Xbox Wireless Headset which they insisted was a clothing item and not an electronics product.
 
Also got my order of 4, paid ~R200 VAT.

Just lucky I got them, customs royally cocked up the delivery address.
 
How does customs manage to do that?

I assume as soon as it hit SA they add the address to the post-office system.

They took the address written on the piece of paper and "shortened" it to their liking. Cut out the deliver to person, the building floor and company name. Pretty much it had the street address on it.

My company is located in a huge building with multiple companies on multiple floors (about 15 floors). So stripping out the floor & company name is a disaster.

I happened to notice post lying in the lobby when I walked in from lunch and saw a pile of new delivery notices from post office.

Found which had from: RS Electronics and country of origin as UK.

Went to post office and said it might be for me, she fetched and there was the actual stuff I entered on the package printed in large font on the package.

If I hadn't decided to check those notices (which I never have done before) I wouldn't have gotten it because who knows who would have gotten that delivery notice.
 
When mine arrived, I got hit with R302.77
Spoke to the customs office at the airport and they said to get the Post Office to send it back. 2 weeks later, I now have R73.63...

If you've got an outrageous customs fee, send it back
 
Just received mine today from DHL. 0 fees
 
What is the procedure for telling SAPO to return to sender?

They want to charge you R640.13 for duties? Just fax through a copy of your invoice and tracking number to customs with a plain explanation what the package contains and ask them to re-evaluate the package.
 
They want to charge you R640.13 for duties? Just fax through a copy of your invoice and tracking number to customs with a plain explanation what the package contains and ask them to re-evaluate the package.

I have just tried Googling for their (customs) contact details with no luck.

The only tracking number I have is on the collection slip from SAPO (there has been no communication from RS UK after 3 weeks of wondering wtf was going on with my order and only an auto reply to say they will reply after 5 working days).

I am a bit pissed off and will see how I feel on Monday but I think it will be a case of me telling SAPO to return to sender and when I have received my refund I will place another order not using my PO Box address (I only used that because RS had a message about the billing and delivery addresses needing to be the same).
 
I have just tried Googling for their (customs) contact details with no luck.

I've rummaged through my stuff but could not find the number I usually fax my stuff to, should be on the slip* they send you afaik? ...
I'd call up my local Capemail or similar regional postal office and ask them to direct you in the right direction.

*Does the slip they sent you contain any instructions? Contact numbers?

Edit:
In my case I always get a notification stamped "CAPEMAIL" or such about the package being ready for collection at Capemail. I then fax through my stuff and instruct them to forward my package to the final destination. From where did you get your slip?
 
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I've rummaged through my stuff but could not find the number I usually fax my stuff to, should be on the slip* they send you afaik? ...
I'd call up my local Capemail or similar regional postal office and ask them to direct you in the right direction.

*Does the slip they sent you contain any instructions? Contact numbers?

Edit:
In my case I always get a notification stamped "CAPEMAIL" or such about the package being ready for collection at Capemail. I then fax through my stuff and instruct them to forward my package to the final destination. From where did you get your slip?

There are no contact details whatsoever on this SA Post Office "FIRST NOTIFICATION FOREIGN PARCEL COLLECTION SLIP" and the online branch locator doesn't work for me.

If I avoid COSATU's etrolling protests after work tomorrow and get to the post office in time, I am going to tell SAPO to return to sender.
 
There are no contact details whatsoever on this SA Post Office "FIRST NOTIFICATION FOREIGN PARCEL COLLECTION SLIP" and the online branch locator doesn't work for me.

The collection slip must indicate where you can go and collect the parcel... pop this into google and find their contact details. Or give me the name and I'll search it for you - the branch locator is working just fine for a change. Ask to speak to the manager and get him to explain to you how you would go about getting the package re-evaluated by customs.

Did you just order the Pi, or some additions?
 
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