Everything you need to know about importing with Scott's Shipping Services
We handle end-to-end importing — you send us a product link, we quote, you pay, we purchase, ship, clear customs, and deliver to your door in South Africa. Our standard service handles items up to 32kg with a maximum package dimension of 1m. Anything larger is moved via freight. For a brief overview, see our homepage. Below we break down each step in detail.
A link to the product. This is essential — we need to know exactly what to order. On familiar products we may compare sellers, but most of the time we order directly from your link. We cannot quote from descriptions or screenshots as it creates too much uncertainty.
Send us a product link and you'll receive a fully inclusive quote within an hour. If an item is restricted, we'll let you know at this point. If you'd prefer to check the numbers yourself first, use our Quick Estimate calculator to generate your own costing and send it through if it's in your ballpark.
We offer secure checkout via Peach Payments and Yoco, which accept all major credit cards, pay-by-bank, and buy now pay later via Mobicred. You can also transfer directly to our bank account via EFT. Cash and cheque deposits are not accepted.
Once payment clears — immediately for credit card, or up to 48 hours for EFT. We don't place orders until funds are in our account under any circumstances, to reduce the possibility of fraud.
Our estimate is 10–21 days, though we're currently averaging around 14. The main variables are retailer dispatch times and depot-to-SA transit. Large US retailers like Amazon and B&H usually dispatch within 48 hours, but individual sellers on eBay or AliExpress can take significantly longer. Once at our depot, items are bundled onto the next available flight to SA.
Customs clearance is processed while your parcel is in transit to South Africa — this is one of the biggest advantages of using our service, as customs delays can be extensive with other methods. If SARS does pull a package for inspection (rare), there may be a short delay, but it's uncommon.
Once your parcel arrives in South Africa and clears customs, we same-day dispatch via The Courier Guy. Delivery is usually overnight, though outlying areas or larger items may take a bit longer. This courier service is also available for local shipping.
We make exclusive use of express couriers for all parcels. While this means a fast, safe, and affordable service, certain items are prohibited from passenger aircraft. Below are the most commonly requested restricted items — this is not an exhaustive list.
Standard courier limits apply — maximum package dimension is 1m and maximum weight is 32kg. Items larger or heavier than this can be moved via freight lines. Contact us for a freight quote.
No. Any item that can spill is prohibited on passenger aircraft, including liquids, aerosols, gels, and powders. LAGs can however be moved via bulk freight shipping — get in touch for options.
Loose lithium batteries and power banks cannot be shipped due to fire risk. If the batteries are installed in a device, we can move it without issue. Note: this restriction also applies to exports.
No. Weapons and anything associated with weapons are prohibited. This includes self-defence items (tasers, pepper spray), toy weapons (airsoft, paintball, replica swords), and knives.
Road vehicles and certain parts are restricted. Most car spares and parts are fine, but this excludes chassis, engine blocks, and tyres.
No. Items intended for human or animal consumption require additional clearance from Port Health and cannot be imported through our standard service.
No. If it is or was alive, we cannot move it.
No. Alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarettes and parts, hookah, and narcotics are all restricted.
We provide a complete end-to-end import service — from purchase through to delivery. There are a few situations where we're unable to help.
No. We do not offer third-party shipping or forwarding services. Our service covers the full process — we purchase, ship, clear, and deliver. If you've already bought an item and need it shipped to South Africa, you'd need to use a freight forwarder or international courier directly.
No. We don't offer standalone customs clearance. Our service is end-to-end: purchase, shipping, clearance, and delivery are all handled as a single package.
No. We need a direct product link to provide a quote. Descriptions and screenshots create too much uncertainty around pricing, specifications, and availability. A link lets us verify everything before quoting.
Yes. From the customer's side, every order is invoiced as a standard local purchase including VAT — no complicated import accounting required, just a single invoice. What you do with the product once it's delivered is entirely up to you.
We'll tell you upfront during the quoting stage if an item can't be shipped via our standard courier service. Some restricted items (oversized goods, LAGs) can be moved via freight — we'll advise on alternatives where possible.
We can import from most countries worldwide, but product availability, seller reliability, and shipping routes vary. If you're unsure whether we can source from a specific region, send us the product link and we'll confirm.
All imports into South Africa are subject to customs duties and VAT, regulated by SARS. Here's how they work.
Customs duties are taxes on imported goods, calculated based on their classification in the Customs Tariff Book using international HS (Harmonised System) codes. There are two types: ordinary duties (Schedule 1) and ad valorem duties (Schedule 2b), often called "luxury duties". VAT is currently 15% in South Africa.
The calculation follows a specific sequence:
Step 1 — Customs Value: This is the FOB (Free on Board) value, usually the invoice amount plus delivery to the export point, converted to ZAR at the exchange rate on the day of import.
Step 2 — HS Code: Your product is classified using SARS's tariff book (nearly 700 pages). The code determines the duty rate, which varies by product type and country of origin.
Step 3 — Duties: Ordinary duties can range from 0–40% and ad valorem duties from 0–9%, depending on the product.
Step 4 — VAT: 15% of the customs value (plus a 10% uplift) plus all duties.
For example, on a R1,000 customs value with 25% ordinary and 9% ad valorem duty: duties total R340 and VAT is R216, for total SARS charges of R556 (55.6%). A duty-free item would only attract VAT of R165 (16.5%).
An HS (Harmonised System) code classifies your product for customs purposes. The code determines which duty rates apply. Some are very specific (e.g. men's overcoats), others are broad categories (e.g. monitors). Choosing the wrong code can result in penalties, delays, and extra costs — classification accuracy is critical.
No. This is one of the key advantages of our service — we give you a single, all-inclusive cost before purchase that covers SARS duties, VAT, and all shipping fees. No surprises, no hidden charges. Use our Quick Estimate calculator for an instant online quote, or submit a custom quote request.
There's been discussion recently about SARS enforcing rules on personal imports regarding the requirement for a SARS-issued importers/exporters code. Here's what you need to know.
No. Customers do not require an importers code when importing through us. We become the Importer of Record for all orders — all invoicing and purchasing is handled by the company. From the customer's side, the transaction is treated entirely as a local purchase. No importers code required, regardless of the number of purchases or their value.
Under Government Gazette No. 36433 (2013), an individual may import into South Africa without an importers code provided: they do not bring in more than 3 shipments per calendar year, each shipment has a value below R150,000, and the items are for personal use (not for resale). If any of these conditions aren't met, an importers code is required.
No. We cannot assist with importers code registration. All enquiries regarding registration should be directed to your nearest SARS customs office.
Yes. Every quote includes the product cost, international shipping, customs duties, VAT, local delivery, and our service fee. The price you're quoted is the price you pay — no hidden charges or surprise fees at delivery.
Yes. Once your order is placed, you can track its progress through your account. You'll receive updates at key stages, and local delivery tracking is provided via The Courier Guy.
Yes. We offer a dedicated import service to Zimbabwe. Visit our Zimbabwe page for details and to request a quote.
Our Quick Estimate is an online calculator that lets you generate your own approximate import costing instantly. Enter the product details and get a ballpark figure. If it works for you, you can submit it directly as a quote request.
Yes. We offer an export service from South Africa. Visit our Export page for details, or contact us to discuss your requirements.
While damage is rare due to our use of professional courier networks, if an item does arrive damaged, contact us immediately with photos. We'll work with the courier and seller to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
Monday to Friday, 08:00–17:00 (SAST). Quote requests received outside business hours will be responded to the next working day.
Visit our contact page, email us, or use the quote request form. We aim to respond to all enquiries within an hour during business hours.
Get a free, all-inclusive quote in under an hour.
