Was wondering if anybody could shed some light on the following:Buying cams online in the States what import tax would be if value of items is R3000?Is it better to just buy in SA?

no import tax on cams, ropes, harnesses etc - just VAT @ 14% plus a handling fee (30 bucks or something)
check out shipping costs on usps.com - biggest cost additional to purchase price
can save big time when buying "on sale" items you have a sizable order (to lower shipping per unit) - have done it a few times

My understanding is that the maximum allowance which one is allowed to bring into the country by way of goods bought overseas is R3000. If it is R3000 or less, you should be fine provided you keep your receipt to prove the value of the purchase. Any more and you would be required to pay duty if SARS catch you. Duty varies according to a tariff scale based on the value over R3000.

VAT should not be payable.

nada caneratpie - that's when you bring stuff in with your luggage when you have been travelling overseas.

buying online has no rand limit and 14% VAT applies. you can get other duty specifics from customs.

I'm not 100% sure when it come to climbing gear as I've never bought climbing gear online. With cycling gear, as long as you are buying spares you are charged VAT of 14% on the purchase + 10% and a clearance fee (no duties). I think you are limited to about R20 000.00 per year before you have to apply as an importer. If however you choose to bring in clothing or a complete bike then you get whacked with duties, because the cloths are textiles and I think the full bike is classified as sporting goods. The duties on those are about 45% & 30% of purchase price respectively, plus you then have to pay VAT on top of that.

So, say you buy some gear for R1000.00 and it gets classed as spares with no import duties then the final cost is:
VAT = (1000 +10%) x 14% = 154 (So effectively VAT comes in at 15.4%)
Final cost = 1000 + 154 = 1154 + clearance fee

So, say you buy some gear for R1000.00 and it gets classed as sporting goods with import duties of 30% then the final cost is:
Import Duties = 1000 x 30% = R300
VAT = (1000 + 10% + R300) x 14% = R196
Final Cost = 1000 + 300 + 196 = 1496 + clearance fee.

The clearance fee is normally like R25 for the parcel.

_________________
Open hand, open mind...

only VAT on climbing hardwear - have ordered online from the US at least 5 times; last time now in august. really really. dunno about the additional 1,4% mark's talking about
but maybe you should contact customs to put your mind at ease. i'm not taking any responsibility ofr things turning out the wrong way

There is no duty on climbing gear, only VAT + freight/postage. I import from Europe and USA regularly with no problem. Post takes about 3 weeks to arrive from order, couriers will be a bit quicker then the cost will be higher.
Some manufacturers do not have credit card facilities so you have to pay upfront by bank transfer, that can take 3-4 days to clear.

Thanks for the info.I buy a lot of stuff on ebay,had to pay tax on clothing before.Bought single cams(secondhand) and no tax on that,maybe because of the little value and because it was used? Just bought a set of Bd c4's,it's new and the value quite not so little.If they charge me half the value of the items it's still a bargain,but it will be a R1k I did'nt want to spend,but I'll have to suck it up I guess.By the way,I think it's easier to solo the Nose than to get in contact with any Sars officials,or government employees for that matter,tried it!

phone customs - might just have trouble trying to explain what a cam is......

Contact type: Customs: Airports
Country: South Africa
Region: Gauteng
City: Johannesburg
Building: New Agents Building
Telephone number: 011 923 2400
Fax number: 011 923 2467
Physical address: New Agents Building
Jones Road
Cargo Division
OR Tambo International Aiport
Postal address: Private Bag x3
OR Tambo International Airport
1627
Business hours: Travellers: 24hours General:08H00-16H30

Contact type: Customs: Airports
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
City: Cape Town
Telephone number: (021) 934 0221
Fax number: (021) 934 2355
Postal address: Private Bag X18
Cape Town International
7525

there is duty on some climbing gear, shoes and ropes in particular. up to 33%. metal hardware from the USA has no duty. all depends on the item and the country of origin.

like most of the other guys stated, with climbing gear specifically they are not sure, neither am i.
But
i bought a pair of football boots. Apparently they are considered luxury goods and i was charged 100% on the boots. which was insane. i'd check first.

I eventually got in contact with an official wich explained the fees concerning the import of rockclimbing hardwear.Only vat payable,as explained by some above.cheers