Importing a Camera

[Neville Bailey]

I have just ordered a new DSLR camera from Adorama in the USA and it's on its way to me via UPS couriers.

Presumably the package will be intercepted by customs when it arrives in South Africa, and customs duty and VAT will be levied.

As an individual (no import licence), how will I be able to pay these charges in order to have my package released and delivered to me? I assume the package will arrive in Johannesburg before it gets sent to Durban (where I live), and that customs will nab it in Johannesburg.

Will customs contact me and allow me to make an EFT payment?

[adrianh]

The courier company will contact you because they are responsible for asuring payment. When stuff comes to me via XPS then I pay XPS gefore they release the goods. Same with the post office, I pay the post office on collection.

[Neville Bailey]

Thanks Adrian, that makes sense.

I wonder if there's a chance that my package will slip through customs without being levied?

[adrianh]

Counldn't you get it locally?

[Neville Bailey]

Yes, I could have got it locally, but it works out cheaper to import it, even if VAT is added on.

[Chrisjan B]

The courier fee is the killer....