Customs fees on parcels sent to SA

[gmirons]

I just found out after many years of mailing to SA (and I'm sure many of you out there already were aware) that any parcel I send to SA valued in excess of €40 is subject to customs duty and VAT payable by the person receiving the parcel. Perhaps I'm a bit thick but it's not info I would usually have unless I was given it by someone. Needless to say I was more than a bit offended by the attitude of a certain gent in customer services at the GPO who gave out to me for not knowing.

So, just in case anyone did not know, don't put a value on your parcels of anything over €39.00 if you don't want it to be searched and extra charges added on. Our parcel of some caps, t-shirts, 2 books and a personalised piggy bank cost us €50 to send and over R300 for our family to receive.

I'm just venting....

Michelle

[Felix]

My ebay trading days come flooding back to memory!
And dont go into the post office on social welfare day.
But surely if its gifts, no vat should be charged??

[Leesa]

Hi Michelle,

They have really clamped down recently, apparenlty you can only spend €170 on holiday buying new items, otherwise you have to pay import duty - it's all gone a little mad! At least they got their parcel in SA, I sent one, once - it took about 5 months to reach it's destination..... I understand your venting

[Felix]

You can get around that though.
When I went to the states, I went with the clothes on my back, and an empty suitcase. Brought shed loads of clothes, took off the labels, and then it just looks like your normal luggage. Also helps to crumple them a bit, so they look used, just in case you are stopped.

[Robert]

Felix Wrote:You can get around that though.
When I went to the states, I went with the clothes on my back, and an empty suitcase. Brought shed loads of clothes, took off the labels, and then it just looks like your normal luggage. Also helps to crumple them a bit, so they look used, just in case you are stopped.

This is what I used to do when I still travelled to SA - always pretended everything in the suitcase was my personal possessions. It did mean taking some gifts out of their packaging but a small price to pay to avoid custom fees.

[Ros2]

Yeah I also found out the other day that parcels we sent, for birthday presents, the recipients had to pay customs on it. That was so Embarrassing

[Leesa]

That is outrageous - what is this world coming to.

[nicky]

I had a strange experience:
My Dad posted me a heap of Environ skincare products, and in a not-so-smart moment he marked on the post office customs label that it was skincare (not a gift!) and that the value was R2500!
Needless to say, when the parcel arrived in Ireland I received a note from Revenue saying that VAT was payable on all goods over €40.
I wrote back to them saying that it was a gift from my Dad for Xmas (was 2 weeks ago) and that I was too embarrassed to ask my Dad the cost of his gift!
I didn't get a reply, but the parcel was sent to me 3 days later! No payment due or questions asked!
Perhaps I was lucky

[Spicy-McHaggis]

quick question folks!

if iw ant to send car parts over from Eire to SA, (bodykits etc) would they nail me on Customs duties? or should i lable it as a gift?

[sean]

Hi Folks,

This changed just over a year ago. The irony is that if you send parcels via courier to your friends and family back home there is a very good chance it customs clears without any duties or vat. The real kicker is you have to pay triple the post office fees to send via courier. So no real solution except trying to keep the values down. Just keep in mind that if customs stop your shipment and feel that you have under declared it you are faced with penalties on top of the customs duties. They, then decide the value of the goods and you don't want that, so be reasonable.

I know this because I have worked in the freight industry for 14 years now and owned a freight brokerage back in Cape Town. I have just recently moved to the UK. (yes I know, would much rather be in Ireland) This is not some sales pitch, but if anyone needs some information or advise send me a mail on info@cubicfreight.com and I'll answer as much questions as I can or atleast find out the latest developments in SA customs. Oh, and by the way it was one of the happiest days of my life when I realised that I don't directly have to deal with SA customs officials anymore

I am looking at starting up in Ireland and when I do please ask for a quote. If you give your Jabula logon I'll throw in a discount
If anyone knows of a forum like this in the UK please let me know. I would like to get involved with as many SAFFAS as I can.

check out http://www.cubicfreight.com