Quick tax question for you SA peeps ordering from Europe

[Bateleur1]

Hi Guys,

 

a quick question wrt to online shopping from Europe (especially those ordering from the German shops Bike24, Bike-Components, etc).

 

Do you pay the German/European VAT?  Or is it tax free and you pay SA tax.

 

[BikeisLife]

Tax free and you pay SA tax if sent via their couriers.

[Eugene]

It's only free of EU tax if the item is delivered to an address in SA.

 

Don't try and have it delivered to your mother's, boyfriend's uncle that lives in Hamburg. The EU VAT will be charged and when he sends it to you in SA, you will pay SA import VAT too

[stringbean]

Done this many times from bike24 so here are the answers.

If you using bike24 shipping ( Dhl to SA post office) they should deduct 19% German vat and you will pay 15% vat here in SA .You save but remember it’s going thru SA post office.

If you are shipping to local German address ( like a Aremex box) you will pay the German 19% vat AND 15% vat when it arrives in SA

I know it sounds insane but I often do this.

This way it doesn’t go thru SA post office and I get my stuff in about a week.

Calculate prices and then decide.

Bike 24 often have sales from 30-40% off.

I have often brought in stock,paid double vat and still been cheaper than ANY SA shop or any online store including CWC etc.

[stringbean]

Just shows how we been screwed here for years.

Anyone buying shimano or sram local are just crazy

[Eddy Gordo]

My last few purchases with bike24 arrived in a week via the post office. I was most impressed.

[buchanan]

I am considering ordering a Quarq power meter from the UK. (They say they deliver to SA).

Can anyone recommend the best way to minimize VAT and duties etc.  I would prefer to pay via Paypal and have it couriered to my Cape Town home address... or I guess the local post office is also acceptable. Thanks.

[dirtypot]

... or I guess the local post office is also acceptable.

 

Only if you enjoy crying.

[stringbean]

It’s like playing poker

Yes you can score but you can also loose everything with SA post office

I’ve had enough stuff stolen by them to wash my hands completely of them

I’ll rather pay more and know that my bike parts will arrive

[stringbean]

Just a side note with bike24

If it’s the first Time you order from them there is a little red tape involved.

On your first order they will deposit a small amount into your credit card ( couple of euro or cents) and you will have to mail them back to tell them how much they deposited.

It’s just part of their security system to make sure you “ not that guy on the oil rigs” so expect your first order to take a little longer.

After that they don’t ask again and it’s business as usual

[Eddy Gordo]

It’s like playing poker

Yes you can score but you can also loose everything with SA post office

I’ve had enough stuff stolen by them to wash my hands completely of them

I’ll rather pay more and know that my bike parts will arrive

I have never had that issue!probably just lucky

[Eddy Gordo]

Just a side note with bike24

If it’s the first Time you order from them there is a little red tape involved.

On your first order they will deposit a small amount into your credit card ( couple of euro or cents) and you will have to mail them back to tell them how much they deposited.

It’s just part of their security system to make sure you “ not that guy on the oil rigs” so expect your first order to take a little longer.

After that they don’t ask again and it’s business as usual

Haven't experienced this on my first order. Must be new.

[RiverInTheRoad]

After my most recent CRC order using the premium shipping option (Skynet). I can honestly recommend rather using SAPO. Atleast you have low expectations with SAPO.