Buying off the internet - Overseas

[The_Break]

Hi Solly

 

I buy a lot of my stuff from overseas. Never had problems. Import duties are officially as follows, but unofficially you may get away with the import duty depending on which person does the check on your goods:

 

Bicyles: 14% VAT + 9.5% import duties

Bicycle parts and accessories: 14% VAT + 9.5% import duties

Sporting equipment: 14% VAT

 

So I guess it all depends on how your invoice is worded. I have never had SARS open a box so guess they only check the  invoice.

 

I know someone who buys from Germany and the entire invoice is in German except for a bold Capital letter phrase at the top which he gets the guys to put on the invoice "for customs" that reads. SPORTING EQUIPMENT. Guys at customs so overloaded it is a no brainer. He has yet to pay the 9.5% import duties like this. Hope this helps. 

[White Eagle]

I've bought 2 items on Ebay saved myself R3400-00 on the cheapest price in SA. Paid a nominal handling fee on the first item, (set of new tandem cranks)no VAT or import duties and zero on a brand new out the box Edge 705.

[wesf]

What will a polar or a garmin fall under???

[The_Break]

No idea. You can have the guys at SARS give you a judgement before you bring it in so you know exactly how much you will pay. Phone the customs and excise department and ask to speak to an Adhoc Specialist. They can do this for you.

 

I saw some really cheap pstuff as compared to Sportsman wearhouse where I last looked at Polars last week on www.totalcycling.com. Check under the heart rate monitor link on the left. Nearly half the price, but add about 25% for import.

[wesf]

Thanks, saw the 725X real cheap, but think am going to go with the 705 wich is cheaper @ crc.

[wesf]

Have you bought any tools or workstands, what were the duties like. Think there are on hand tools but am not sure about the stand??

[Konaman]

 

There are forms on the sars website that break it down. Has anyone bought a garmin fron an overseas site????

Anyone? Where...and what about getting South African maps?

 

I bought a garmin 705 from CRC, does not include maps (maps a extra R1000.00)

 

Ordered 18times from CRC all items arrived in perfect condition!

 

[wesf]

Duties????

[Konaman]

14%

[wesf]

Sweet, Thanks

[Mr LOOK]

 

There are forms on the sars website that break it down. Has anyone bought a garmin fron an overseas site????

Anyone? Where...and what about getting South African maps?

 

I bought a garmin 705 from CRC' date=' does not include maps (maps a extra R1000.00)

 

Ordered 18times from CRC all items arrived in perfect condition!

[/quote'] Thanks!

 

[Santa C]

Ordered 3 times from CRC.

No problem. Packaging secure and safe. Custom vat on bike parts 14' date='8%.

Tip: use your box number for delivery. You will get a slip that states forreign goods and use British Royal mail for the dispatching.

 

If you use UPS it gets stuck with custums.

 

Just shop round first in SA before you order for the fun of it. Maybe same prices availible here.

 

But it is fun getting a package from abroad with bike stuff in it, feels like Chrismas agian again agian

 

 

[/quote']

 

Agree with you Roux...A late Christmas presant! 

[Minion]

Some cautionary words on importing:

 

1.) Add about 2.75% to any currency conversion to account for bank charges.

 

2.) Be aware of import duties. Bike parts don't attract duties. Complete bikes (or even nearly complete ones - SARS isn't dumb) attract 15% duty (5.7% if from EU).

 

3.) VAT is calculated as 14% of (Invoice Value + Duty +10%). This works out to an effective VAT rate of 15.4%.

 

4.) VAT is calculated from the foreign amount. SARS seems to use an exchange rate that is around 7% higher than the published rates. This makes the effective VAT rate closer to 16.5%.

 

5.) SARS charge a R25 clearance fee.

 

Summary:

1.) Do currency conversion.

2.) Add 2.75% for bank charges.

3.) Add duty.

4.) Add about 16.5% for VAT charges

5.) Add R25 clearance fee.

 

I did the calculation a while back to see if it was worthwhile for me to bring in an Edge 705 from CRC.

It turns out that once you add all of the above and allow for R1000 to pay for the SA maps it was only R200 cheaper than the lowest local price.

R200 is well worth it for Avnic's service, especially as I've already now had one Edge warranty replacement.

 

PS. I did the calculation using the latest price from Totalcycling. It is now cheaper to buy from EasyGIS.co.za

 

[linnega]

You can get all tariff info off CargoInfo.

 

Edman's numbers are about right.  Also depends on what your supplier discloses to SARS.  Do yourself a favour and be honest - don't ask the supplier to under-declare or declare the item as a gift.  He may well do so of his own accord, but getting a tax evasion charge for a few rondt is not really worth it.  You will also find that many suppliers declare the cost price as the insurance amount and SARS are too lazy to properly inspect the parcel, so they simply calculate a charge on the "insured" amount.  Other times SARS simply don't bother to calculate a charge and then it will get through entirely duty and VAT free.

 

[Jelly Baby]

When you import don't you strugle for support when you have a warranty issue  

[Li Mu Bai]

There is VAT (14%) and a duty fee of R25.

How do the calculate VAT? well if you have the parcel sent with insurance, they use this insured value. Naturally any sensible south african will pay insurance, thanks to the thieving little trolls manning the post office.

I have bought plenty on ebay and most recently from CRC. all went fine, except making more payments at the PO to get the parcel released. feels like they are robbing you. take vaseline!