Importing a vehicle to South Africa
Discussion
Don't do it.
I have done it.
It is a MISSION
Every single step of the way is frought with problems.
The process started in about July/August last year and is still not over.
My documentation is in with the traffic department in order to register it.
It is expensive.
I have a pack about an inch thick of paperwork less the +_15 documents I handed over to register the car.
I have also picked up a R500 fine for driving without a tax disk.
Every sidewalk expert out there will tell you that you won't have to pay VAT and duties. Well I had to.
Claiming the vat back is easy, they say. No its not. The removal companies are little help as they don't know the processes inolved.
Guys my recommendation is its not worth it. Maybe in 6 months time when I've forgotten about the cr@p and paid off the loan I had to take to pay for all of this, I'll think it was worth it. I will keep you informed.
I have done it.
It is a MISSION
Every single step of the way is frought with problems.
The process started in about July/August last year and is still not over.
My documentation is in with the traffic department in order to register it.
It is expensive.
I have a pack about an inch thick of paperwork less the +_15 documents I handed over to register the car.
I have also picked up a R500 fine for driving without a tax disk.
Every sidewalk expert out there will tell you that you won't have to pay VAT and duties. Well I had to.
Claiming the vat back is easy, they say. No its not. The removal companies are little help as they don't know the processes inolved.
Guys my recommendation is its not worth it. Maybe in 6 months time when I've forgotten about the cr@p and paid off the loan I had to take to pay for all of this, I'll think it was worth it. I will keep you informed.
Hey Gerald,
Thanks for the post. I am considering importing and Ultima GTR from the UK in kit form, do you think it will be as tough as bringing in a complete car?
I have also talked to a number of people 'in the know' regarding Vat and duties and it appears as if you cannot get away from the Vat at all. I am working on having the car shipped in as 'parts' which carry a more favourable duty rate.
What car did you bring in by the way?
Thanks for the post. I am considering importing and Ultima GTR from the UK in kit form, do you think it will be as tough as bringing in a complete car?
I have also talked to a number of people 'in the know' regarding Vat and duties and it appears as if you cannot get away from the Vat at all. I am working on having the car shipped in as 'parts' which carry a more favourable duty rate.
What car did you bring in by the way?
Elise S1
Ah maybe you can assist me. How do I ship just an engine over? Say one I bought off ebay? Does it need paperwork and legit engine numbers etc etc? Can I just DHL it? how does it work?
Ultima - ah awesome. Went on a few breakfast runs with a couple Ultimas. You going to fit a Chev LS1 (is it?) alloy v8 to it?
You buying the kit new from Ultima themselves?
I know of an Alfa powered Ultima in SA. maybe try get hold of him.
Ah maybe you can assist me. How do I ship just an engine over? Say one I bought off ebay? Does it need paperwork and legit engine numbers etc etc? Can I just DHL it? how does it work?
Ultima - ah awesome. Went on a few breakfast runs with a couple Ultimas. You going to fit a Chev LS1 (is it?) alloy v8 to it?
You buying the kit new from Ultima themselves?
I know of an Alfa powered Ultima in SA. maybe try get hold of him.
Gosh that doesn't sound like SA at all. Bureaucracy! Surely not!!!
It does seem a bit stupid though. Maybe they are concerned the car will not be up to the usual high standards of SA vehicles. I mean it is unlikely your brakes, lights, tyres, body panels, engine or seatbelts are even close to the cutting edge and immaculately maintained technology of a minibus taxi!
It does seem a bit stupid though. Maybe they are concerned the car will not be up to the usual high standards of SA vehicles. I mean it is unlikely your brakes, lights, tyres, body panels, engine or seatbelts are even close to the cutting edge and immaculately maintained technology of a minibus taxi!
Don't believe those in the know that tell you:
1.Under schedule 407.06 you are excempt from VAT and duties
or 2. You get your duties back after 2 years
or 3. VAT is straight forward to get back, its one std form.
All bollox.
You pay and you can't get it back. You have to prove that you left SA permanently and then prove that you are returning permamnently. Its impossible to PROVE you left if you're back. And impossible to PROVE that you'll never go back. Its a stupid setup.
Oh and did I mention that it comes down to one persons opinion/decision as to how much you pay?
1.Under schedule 407.06 you are excempt from VAT and duties
or 2. You get your duties back after 2 years
or 3. VAT is straight forward to get back, its one std form.
All bollox.
You pay and you can't get it back. You have to prove that you left SA permanently and then prove that you are returning permamnently. Its impossible to PROVE you left if you're back. And impossible to PROVE that you'll never go back. Its a stupid setup.
Oh and did I mention that it comes down to one persons opinion/decision as to how much you pay?
Gerald-S1 said:
Don't do it.
I have done it.
It is a MISSION
Every single step of the way is frought with problems.
The process started in about July/August last year and is still not over.
My documentation is in with the traffic department in order to register it.
It is expensive.
I have a pack about an inch thick of paperwork less the +_15 documents I handed over to register the car.
I have also picked up a R500 fine for driving without a tax disk.
Every sidewalk expert out there will tell you that you won't have to pay VAT and duties. Well I had to.
Claiming the vat back is easy, they say. No its not. The removal companies are little help as they don't know the processes inolved.
Guys my recommendation is its not worth it. Maybe in 6 months time when I've forgotten about the cr@p and paid off the loan I had to take to pay for all of this, I'll think it was worth it. I will keep you informed.
hey there,
Please give me any contacts or companiies that you used.
2 of my nephews are going back to Cape Town.
They will both be taking their car's with them what they bought here in U.K.
I need all the help you can give, so I can make this as easy and as painless as possible for them
G.
ps.
They both have Toyota Mr2's
I have done it.
It is a MISSION
Every single step of the way is frought with problems.
The process started in about July/August last year and is still not over.
My documentation is in with the traffic department in order to register it.
It is expensive.
I have a pack about an inch thick of paperwork less the +_15 documents I handed over to register the car.
I have also picked up a R500 fine for driving without a tax disk.
Every sidewalk expert out there will tell you that you won't have to pay VAT and duties. Well I had to.
Claiming the vat back is easy, they say. No its not. The removal companies are little help as they don't know the processes inolved.
Guys my recommendation is its not worth it. Maybe in 6 months time when I've forgotten about the cr@p and paid off the loan I had to take to pay for all of this, I'll think it was worth it. I will keep you informed.
hey there,
Please give me any contacts or companiies that you used.
2 of my nephews are going back to Cape Town.
They will both be taking their car's with them what they bought here in U.K.
I need all the help you can give, so I can make this as easy and as painless as possible for them
G.
ps.
They both have Toyota Mr2's
Hi
Unless you can PROVE that the okes left for good (and are returning for good) can you get a rebate on your duties. I had a list of about 30 facts and events which would lend one to believe that I left for good, and I did actuqally leave for good. But they did not see it as proof.
So your buds can bring in the MR2's but they will pay. You get the new MR2 in sa so I wouldn't bother. If its the old one, there ae a few floating around.
Personally I wouldn't boter.
Cheers
G
Unless you can PROVE that the okes left for good (and are returning for good) can you get a rebate on your duties. I had a list of about 30 facts and events which would lend one to believe that I left for good, and I did actuqally leave for good. But they did not see it as proof.
So your buds can bring in the MR2's but they will pay. You get the new MR2 in sa so I wouldn't bother. If its the old one, there ae a few floating around.
Personally I wouldn't boter.
Cheers
G
Hi Gerald, good to hear back from you.
My 2 nephews are here in U.K. on a 2 year working / holiday visa.
This visa is only allowed once.
there is no chance that they can come back.
All there family are in C.T.
each of the boys have bought an MR2
one is a 1994 model, and the other is a 1997 model.
Any more on what they should do, who transported yours.
An, any help will do,
graham
My 2 nephews are here in U.K. on a 2 year working / holiday visa.
This visa is only allowed once.
there is no chance that they can come back.
All there family are in C.T.
each of the boys have bought an MR2
one is a 1994 model, and the other is a 1997 model.
Any more on what they should do, who transported yours.
An, any help will do,
graham
I brought my seven knocked down to kit form from JHB to Scotland. Just paid for shipping.
Didnt have any registration marks on it and it was parted out over several crates.
Declared it as spare parts and didnt pay any duty....
just registered it here as a q car. Sold that on and have since built another.
Didnt have any registration marks on it and it was parted out over several crates.
Declared it as spare parts and didnt pay any duty....
just registered it here as a q car. Sold that on and have since built another.
Could you give any details here of the car you imported?
As far as I'm aware, a lot depends on the year of the car, and if it was ever SABS aproved and conformed to South African rules and regs? (Talking from word of mouth here)
Also, what is the Tax amounts you were paying on?
As far as I'm aware, a lot depends on the year of the car, and if it was ever SABS aproved and conformed to South African rules and regs? (Talking from word of mouth here)
Also, what is the Tax amounts you were paying on?
Edited by Killboy on Wednesday 7th May 18:42
K you'd want to go back to the God-forsaken hell-hole that is South Africa, I really don't know. Best of luck and all that - I hope you enjoy your Elise.M3desmo said:
Does anyone have any definitive description of the process to be followed to ensure compliance and no duty?
Considering doing it with a Porsche GT3RS but if it's a lottery then may not be worth the hassle.
.Considering doing it with a Porsche GT3RS but if it's a lottery then may not be worth the hassle.
.
You have to own the car for 1 year.
You have to have lived outside SA for 2 years - must double check this point.
You have to prove that you are a returning South African.
You can not sell the imported vehicle for 1 year.
You can bring your first car in duty free.
Your second car will be charged - the charge is some what variable though.
Have all the required paperwork.
Jump the right hoops in the right order, and it isn't too difficult.
From landing in SA you could have CA plates on it in say 2 months, maybe shorter, but a bigger maybe longer.
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