epictring
Hi guys, I'm bringing in a Synth/Keyboard from overseas and I'm not sure which shipping service (courier) to use?
Transit: UK to SA
I definitely want to stay away from the PO with this one, so I've had good experience with UPS, but are there others you could vouch for? Affordability with good service is also quite important.
Thanks
NorioDS
Affordability wise, I've got nothing for you ?
But FedEx and UPS have been great every time I've had to use them.
babbalute
If you are advising the local courier company to collect the goods in the UK make sure that they have the correct documents. e.g. UK sales tax might be applicable. The price will be higher as well compared to if you have someone shipping the goods from the UK to SA. If you buy from a shop in the UK I would let them ship it, all paperwork and invoices will be correct(I assume they have experience with this) and things will go smooth. The reason why a local company collecting from the UK is more expensive is that they need to contract a local company in the UK to put the goods true customs. So the seller is actually not the exporter(from the UK) but the courier company is. Make sure that you are not liable for UK sales tax.(the seller might charge this on the invoice which is required for export purpose in the UK, as he is not exporting the goods) Sometimes the local company does claim the UK sales tax back from there offices in the UK but charge you the full amount upon arrival here in SA as this is what they had to pay in the UK. If you will use a local company to collect in the UK and import into SA and deliver to your door get a quote first and make sure that price is fixed and includes all local SA VAT, clearance fees and delivery fees. You will most certainly have to pay them upfront(as you would do when you have the seller shipping from the UK) There are NO duties on musical instruments but it will depend which harmonized tarrif code(the code that indicated if goods attract duties or not according to local customs rules) will be reflected on the invoice.
epictring
Thanks for the responses guys.
The guy who is selling it to me quoted me on Parcelforce Couriers. After some research I gathered they aren't that great with their service and that they are overpriced. I am actually just asking for other options so I can request the seller to ship it to me via a better courier service. Right now the quoted courier is going to cost me close to 5k for shipping alone. I payed the same for a 30kg amplifier via UPS a few years back so something isn't right.
babbalute
Phone the local courier companies and get quotes from them. Freight charges have increased since a few years ago due to fuel surcharges etc. Ask for door to door delivery charge.
6x9base13
We use Aramex for our international stuff. So far very good, just not sure how their pricing compares.
Attila
SAA Cargo also provides a courier service
