Importing gear from the USA

[Josh78]

Hi guys

I'm thinking about buying some climbing gear from the States and wanted to know what the import duty is on climbing equipment? I'm assuming VAT will be charged at 14% of the total cost of the goods on top of the duty should there be any?

Looking forward to your help.

Thanks
Josh

[Baldrick]

Hi Josh,
Metal goods do not have duties but soft gear (harness, slings, chalk bags, etc) carry a 30% duty. Bear in mind that our wonderful Postal and Customs system can hold your parcel up to 3 months.

[Josh78]

Thanks, I'm looking and getting me paws on some cams, so I guess this is classified under 'metal' goods. If I use a courier service, then I should be OK, time-wise, or are you saying Customs can hold the goods for months even once it's arrived in SA?

[mokganjetsi]

Effective VAT will be 15.6% (give or take); not 14%
And the gov'mint tries to milk you a bit so there's clearance fees; additional custom fees etc. that adds up to about R200 if memory serves me well
So make sure you estimate costs conservatively to avoid disappointment......

[Fabian]

Someone told me that if you order untracked via normal post office airmail, you can just mark the parcel as $5 spare parts and get away with it 99% of the time. If they request an invoice, you cut your losses, give them the correct original, and there are ZERO penalties involved (unlike customs stops with couriers). But that's just what I heard so I wouldn't do that.