anyone imported parts from Japan?

[CA_130]

hi guys,

has anyone imported car parts or accessories from Japan ? I'm trying to get an idea of the import tax and shipping costs and not having much luck with google.

I've got my eye on two bumpers and trying to gauge the cost getting them here before I pull the trigger.

any help or experience will be very much appreciated, also which are the preferred shipping companies to use, and what is the average cost ?

 

[evnmopwr]

hi guys,

has anyone imported car parts or accessories from Japan ? I'm trying to get an idea of the import tax and shipping costs and not having much luck with google.

I've got my eye on two bumpers and trying to gauge the cost getting them here before I pull the trigger.

any help or experience will be very much appreciated, also which are the preferred shipping companies to use, and what is the average cost ?

Hi

i have,

Anything you bring in thats labelled "CAR PARTS" , Sars is going to Tax you HEAVY!!!

How much is dependent on the price you paid for the Parts.

They calculate what they charge you like 10%+14%+20%

Example, bought a boot Spoiler for R1000.
Tax etc came to about R800

These A$$holes dont make jokes

---

hi guys,

has anyone imported car parts or accessories from Japan ? I'm trying to get an idea of the import tax and shipping costs and not having much luck with google.

I've got my eye on two bumpers and trying to gauge the cost getting them here before I pull the trigger.

any help or experience will be very much appreciated, also which are the preferred shipping companies to use, and what is the average cost ?

Hi

i have,

Anything you bring in thats labelled "CAR PARTS" , Sars is going to Tax you HEAVY!!!

How much is dependent on the price you paid for the Parts.

They calculate what they charge you like 10%+14%+20%

Example, bought a boot Spoiler for R1000.
Tax etc came to about R800

These A$$holes dont make jokes

Apologies, the spoiler was just over 2grand... and tax etc came to 800bucks

 

[Danny2]

yeah correct when its labelled car parts you get hammered on the tax. Its also dependant on the agent as i have seen different prices given for the same item thats come in on different occasions.

Have seen the following being used to get cheaper customs:

a) part is labelled as something completely different
b) get a reduced price invoice for SARS.. Some companies do it without a problem and others aren't interested in it. Basically get a invoice saying you paid $100 instead of $500 to reduce the tax.

 

[CA_130]

Awesome,

Thanks guys, anything else to look out for ?

And which are generally the cheapest/best couriers to use from UK and/or Japan ? Once again your experience and insights are highly valued and appreciated

 

[Divio]

 

[Danny2]

Amarex Global Shopper is a service which gives you 20 odd addresses around the world that you can ship to and in return they ship to South Africa.

otherwise maybe try Parcel Hero
https://www.parcelhero.com

 

[evnmopwr]

Awesome,

Thanks guys, anything else to look out for ?

And which are generally the cheapest/best couriers to use from UK and/or Japan ? Once again your experience and insights are highly valued and appreciated

I always Get the items i see elsewhere on Alliexpress and Always make use of Free shipping. Items tend to be cheaper and sellers are negotiable on the products and always willing to Label items as Gifts etc.

you are allowed 2 free International gifts tax free BUT as mentioned, Car parts they Always tax you

If you not in a hurry for the items, Free shipping is 15 to 60 days.
Courier charges in Dollars so It can get pricey for priority shipping Which still takes long thanks to customs.

Good luck with your purchase

 

[Ceaser - VAG]

This topic, I hate it because everyone has different experiences.. I personally had 3 different experiences.

On the costing
They calculate what they charge you like 10% CUSTOMS FACTOR/LEVY/DUTY + 14% VAT + 20% CUSTOMS DUTY - But I think VAT gets added last, after the 20% Customs duty.

Experience 1 - Bought Grills (prev car) - Invoice as per posted item was reduced and paid on a second second invoice. Invoice 1 was a reduced amount and thus paid taxes and duties on - Thus eliminating a case of fraud and just an error of invoice sent can be argued.

Experience 2 - Bought Mats - Asked the seller if they could have the underside of the mats marked as "SAMPLE", No duties on Sample items BUT they must be permanently marked as sample - Stitched / Transfer Sticker / Stamp - Customs ask for proof of payment and with thus, as I made 2 payments - 1 for the item and 1 for the shipping - No duties

Experience 3 - Not car but Takkies. - Bought from a friend in UK - He shipped, customss got involved (clothing is the highest duty) I had a 2 month battle to prove that what ebay listing has the pairs for sale is not what I paid.

Also note that ROE is on date they are processing your item or date it lands in SA (can't 100% recall) and not date payment made.

Hope it sort of helps

 

[MikeR]

:fencelook: you need to contact them and ask - as with my experience Ive had Tax charges from 200% all the way down to 0%, but a majority at 35%. I thinks its based on availability of the items in SA - I dont know exactly how they gauge that.

 

[CA_130]

...

---

Awesome,

Thanks guys, anything else to look out for ?

And which are generally the cheapest/best couriers to use from UK and/or Japan ? Once again your experience and insights are highly valued and appreciated

I always Get the items i see elsewhere on Alliexpress and Always make use of Free shipping. Items tend to be cheaper and sellers are negotiable on the products and always willing to Label items as Gifts etc.

you are allowed 2 free International gifts tax free BUT as mentioned, Car parts they Always tax you

If you not in a hurry for the items, Free shipping is 15 to 60 days.
Courier charges in Dollars so It can get pricey for priority shipping Which still takes long thanks to customs.

Good luck with your purchase

I always Get the items i see elsewhere on Alliexpress and Always make use of Free shipping. Items tend to be cheaper and sellers are negotiable on the products and always willing to Label items as Gifts etc.

you are allowed 2 free International gifts tax free BUT as mentioned, Car parts they Always tax you

If you not in a hurry for the items, Free shipping is 15 to 60 days.
Courier charges in Dollars so It can get pricey for priority shipping Which still takes long thanks to customs.

Good luck with your purchase
[/quote]

Thanks man,

I'm looking at auctions and breakers though, not new stuff (bumpers, interior bits etc), otherwise DX and AliExpress would be a no-brainer or a trip to China Town.

---

This topic, I hate it because everyone has different experiences.. I personally had 3 different experiences.

On the costing
They calculate what they charge you like 10% CUSTOMS FACTOR/LEVY/DUTY + 14% VAT + 20% CUSTOMS DUTY - But I think VAT gets added last, after the 20% Customs duty.

Experience 1 - Bought Grills (prev car) - Invoice as per posted item was reduced and paid on a second second invoice. Invoice 1 was a reduced amount and thus paid taxes and duties on - Thus eliminating a case of fraud and just an error of invoice sent can be argued.

Experience 2 - Bought Mats - Asked the seller if they could have the underside of the mats marked as "SAMPLE", No duties on Sample items BUT they must be permanently marked as sample - Stitched / Transfer Sticker / Stamp - Customs ask for proof of payment and with thus, as I made 2 payments - 1 for the item and 1 for the shipping - No duties

Experience 3 - Not car but Takkies. - Bought from a friend in UK - He shipped, customss got involved (clothing is the highest duty) I had a 2 month battle to prove that what ebay listing has the pairs for sale is not what I paid.

Also note that ROE is on date they are processing your item or date it lands in SA (can't 100% recall) and not date payment made.

Hope it sort of helps

Thanks Ceaser - VAG

It definitely helps, but jeeze it's a lot to digest, I've heard of people asking for a second invoice, but never realized it could be seen as fraud. It seems as though there are quite a few technicalities, tips and tricks to get right.

I've tried doing some reading up, but the SARS/Customs sites are a maze to navigate.

I'm trying to get a hold of the seller as well, but that in itself is proving difficult as I need a Japanese email address to register on the sites, and added to that, the language barrier is quite big.

Thank you for the insights, I'll definitely remember this going forward.

---

Amarex Global Shopper is a service which gives you 20 odd addresses around the world that you can ship to and in return they ship to South Africa.

otherwise maybe try Parcel Hero
https://www.parcelhero.com

Thanks DannyBoy,

I'll go check them out now :thumbs: .