Frequently Asked Questions
On average these are questioned asked by people who are interested in purchasing products abroad. There can be multiple questions and answers, if you do not find what you are looking for on this page please contact our Administration department and they will have answers ready to serve your needs.
Q: [What is a tariff/hs code]
A: [It is an internationally standardized system of names and
numbers for classifying traded products. In other words every item
that can be imported/exported is given a number (HS/tariff code) to
identify it. In South Africa and most other companies customs uses
the HS/tariff code to determine the duty tax that should be paid.]
Q: [What are the ABCs of Importing costs]
A: [Import costs work on a sliding scale and are not strictly percentage based.
Essentially this means each and every import cost has a different
calculation. Even if the exact same product is being imported. If
there are slight changes in quantity, unit cost shipping weights and
dimensions, collection and delivery. These options play a major role
in your importing cost. Generally importers buy product in bulk
which could lower the per unit value.] Import costs are charged at
value of country of departure. Meaning an invoice usually is in US
Dollars, UK Pounds or Euros. Or whatever the currency is that the
country you are ordering product form.]
Q: [What are Import Duties]
A: [As listed above what is a tariff/hscode, This is a book issued by South
Africa indicating which items fall under which tariff. It would be
impossible to list each and every item as a single entity. So they
essentially group items in categories. The major issue to tariffs is
making sure your products are listed under the correct categories.
If they are not listed appropriately to the correct categories this
could incur more costs or delay of shipments at customs.]
Q: [What is a Custom Value]
A:[This is also known as value of goods. This would be the advertised,
quoted price from your supplier. Customs calculates duties and VAT
from this value. Currency conversions plays a key role in this
aspect.]
Q: [What is Customs Clearance]
A:[This is a cost that a lot of people forget about when purchasing
products from overseas. Every item that comes to South African
Shores has to be cleared by customs. If you need a quote on clearing
Items please contact the Administration Department.]
Q: [Do I have to pay Import VAT]
A:[Some people feel that they are not required to pay VAT on certain
products being brought into South Africa. Value added tax is non
negotiable on any and all imports. Your purchase from your supplier
will not incur VAT, however once the goods arrive and are in the
hands of customs, Customs VAT will have to be paid accordingly.
Please contact the Administration department regarding this as
things can change regarding the calculation, based on exchange rate
on the day your goods arrived.]
Q: [What Freight Options Are Available]
A:[As discussed with your supplier of the products you want to
import, they will notify you on how the products will be shipped to
you in South Africa. These can range from Air or Sea. If done buy
air product can arrive sooner but you could pay a heavier price in
transport. By sea would be cheaper but you would have to plan on
when to receive your product as shipping takes a significantly
longer time to arriving in South Africa. However your quote
usually only involves the freight, there other costs that sometimes
are not listed, these levies and surcharges can increase your
shipping pricing. There are numerous fees to this and the list
could go on forever. Please feel free to call the Administration
Department and they will take care of your needs and discuss it with
our logistics department as we cater for your needs.]
Q: [Permits / Certification / Letter of Authority]
A:[From time to time certain products being brought into South
Africa
require special documents to be cleared. These permits need to be
acquired prior to the product reaching the Shores of South Africa.
This will a guarantee a faster clearance time. If no permits are
available all products will be held at customs until the permit can
be supplied and a cost will be incurred as they hold the goods.
Always be prepared with permits to alleviate delays of shipments.]
Q: [Local Deliveries]
A:[Local
deliveries include costs that will get your product from customs to
your destination point. A lot of businesses overlook this cost.
Depending on what is being brought into the country you will need a
vehicle to pick the product up. So if you are bringing in a
container you will incur the cost of a Freight Liner to drop off the
goods. Alternately if they are smaller goods they still need to be
collected and the correct paper work supplied as listed in clearing.
Once that is done the products are handed over and door to door
delivery can commence.]
Q: [This Sounds Like Too Much Work and
Money]
A:[Exactly the reason why we are in the business, We are here to
make your importing experience a gratifying one. We are here to
advise you with options to importing your products. We will however
not tell you what to do, some decisions will have to be made by you
or your business. We can give you alternatives to your needs and let
you know where we can improve your import venture. With Importing
there will always be a cost involved that could change at anytime
and that's why we try and keep our costs to a compatible price and
notify you of any changes to your import that might incur more costs
based on Foreign Exchange or product having to be held in storage at
customs. As always we keep our prices very compatible with all
customers. But with fuel rates changing and Foreign Exchange changing it
gives us a little challenge. Not that we mind because we are there
to take care of our clients and make their importing side easier.]