Your temu orders

ros_b said:
I have emailed Fastway and they responded quickly with a generic "Customs Duties and VAT are calculated on Commodity i.e. what you have bought and the value of the goods. Each product is assigned its own HS code (tariff heading) that depicts the % of duty applicable to customs on import. " I've replied asking for the specific HS code and amount of duty on each item in my order - let's see what happens.

There was no spinning wheel as far as I'm aware - I've never seen that. Though many items were "lightning deals" and the order show a total cost of R1331 with a discount of R1043. But if they're calculating duty on the non-discounted amount, then it's too little - that would be only 8.5%. So it can't be that.

I guess I'll just pay it - the stuff is probably still cheaper with 40% added on, but in future I'm not going to order anything that is more than half the cost of what I could get it for in SA.
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The spinning wheel gives me f all. It wants me to invite new users.
 
Pegasus said:
I found this on linlkedin.
This is someone who works at Buffalo.
It looks like we can order up to 150k a year.
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I just happened to find this interesting page on DHL's site: https://dhlguide.co.za/faq/need-register-customs-client-importer-exporter/

Private Individual Shipments

All private individuals without an Importer / Exporter code are now allowed to :

  • Import or export any number of consignments up to an annual total combined threshold of R150 000
  • No individual shipment limitations apply provided total annual threshold is not exceeded
  • May be cleared using the 707070 importers code
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Also no mention of "maximum 3" or anything.

So something tells me legislation/regulations changed at some point in the past 35 years and not everyone is aligned yet.
 
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skimread said:
You can request an invoice from fastway, like I did, but there is only one line item on it called customs. I am sure the f'rs are hiding a handling fee in that customs amount.
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ros_b said:
I've replied asking for the specific HS code and amount of duty on each item in my order - let's see what happens.
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I honestly wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.

Temu/Buffalo total shipping & import cost is still way better than anything else you can manage with the incumbents.

DHL not only charges the full and proper duty + VAT (i.e. 15% bare minimum) they also charge a processing fee of R 200 (minimum).

And that's after you've paid R 1000 or whatever ridiculous amount for the shipping itself.
 
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Tomtomtom said:
I just happened to find this interesting page on DHL's site: https://dhlguide.co.za/faq/need-register-customs-client-importer-exporter/



Also no mention of "maximum 3" or anything.

So something tells me legislation/regulations changed at some point in the past 35 years and not everyone is aligned yet.
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2018 according to the one I found
Somewhere in here, she says 2.1

 
Pegasus said:
2018 according to the one I found
Somewhere in here, she says 2.1

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It says Effective Date: 08 December 2023

So possibly very recent. That could explain it.

Just found another page on the same DHL site that contradicts the other one https://dhlguide.co.za/countries/south-africa/

Individuals may import 6 shipments per calendar year into South Africa before registering as an importer.
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When was it 6?! :ROFL:

But it seems anything mentioning X number of shipments per year is out of date and incorrect.
 
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Buffalo had my order in Joburg on saturday. Yet to be delivered to Cape Town.
Taking them longer than it took Temu to deliver from China to SA,
 
Tomtomtom said:
Yes to be clear it seems as of recently there is no longer any limit to the number of imports you can make in a year.

Just has to be under a total of R 150 000.
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seems ?

FAQ: Do I need to register as an importer if I buy personal goods from abroad e.g. from Amazon? | South African Revenue Service

No, you don’t have to register as an importer if you meet certain conditions.
www.sars.gov.za www.sars.gov.za

No, you don’t have to register as an importer if you meet certain conditions.

Personal goods can be cleared with Customs under the generic code 70707070. However, you must meet the following conditions:
  • You are allowed only three transactions (of less than R50 000 each) during any calendar year;
  • You are only allowed to import goods for home consumption or personal use, not for resale or any other business;
  • You must be located in South Africa;
  • Your identity number/ Passport number or taxpayer reference number must be entered in the field provided in the declaration form.
Should the purchase falls outside these limitations, you will have to register and obtain an importer or exporter code.
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Lupus said:
I seem to be close, but SARs can take my clips when I'm dead
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:ROFL: :ROFL: :ROFL: I am just speculating but if it comes to that (assuming they track this based on ID), they will just confiscate the next shipments. I doubt anyone is coming home to confiscate trinkets that are likely to be in unusable condition within 6 months or so.
 
 
supersunbird said:
Just ordered 3 jackets from Temu after waiting a few days for the prices to drop. My second order.
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Why wait? Just do price adjustments after the fact - I'm still doing price adjustments every second day on 3 orders - total was about R2000 - sitting on R200 credit at the moment.
 
xrapidx said:
Why wait? Just do price adjustments after the fact - I'm still doing price adjustments every second day on 3 orders - total was about R2000 - sitting on R200 credit at the moment.
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Yeah, that one of the ways they get you in their system. You’re hooked now.

And their never ending fish and farm games.
 
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