Importing iPhones from states etc

[adonimac]

So pretty much what the title says. Wondering if there's anyone here who can import iPhones from the states (while taking some cash for themselves ofcourse) or knows a good easy way to do it while still saving money. I saw some threads on here about importing from UAE but with the whole FaceTime thing, which I use often, I would wanna skip that.

I see that the bands are compatible with our local bands (looking at https://www.kimovil.com/en/frequency-checker/ZA/apple-iphone-14-pro )

Im interested in importing a 15 Pro or Pro Max (depending on the price) as I know local prices will be crazy. I got my 13 Pro Max in 2021 October for 22k with free AirPods, but now the base pro is more than 4k over that

I also know another person or two who would be interested in importing if we could maybe organise a group thing or something.

And from what I know, Vodacom does support eSims so I should be covered on that front

Any info on this is appreciated, if its even worth it to do

 

[BrilliantTech]

SA release date and the USA release date is the same. Pricing will also be similar. I would rather wait for resellers to start listing them if you want to save some money

 

[Vik]

So I have a family member in the states They usually send me parcels via DHL and the last thing they sent me was an iPhone 11 which I have to this deay maybe we could try and make like a plan or way we could do things if your interested .

 

[Apple]

So pretty much what the title says. Wondering if there's anyone here who can import iPhones from the states (while taking some cash for themselves ofcourse) or knows a good easy way to do it while still saving money. I saw some threads on here about importing from UAE but with the whole FaceTime thing, which I use often, I would wanna skip that.

I see that the bands are compatible with our local bands (looking at https://www.kimovil.com/en/frequency-checker/ZA/apple-iphone-14-pro )

Im interested in importing a 15 Pro or Pro Max (depending on the price) as I know local prices will be crazy. I got my 13 Pro Max in 2021 October for 22k with free AirPods, but now the base pro is more than 4k over that

I also know another person or two who would be interested in importing if we could maybe organise a group thing or something.

And from what I know, Vodacom does support eSims so I should be covered on that front

Any info on this is appreciated, if its even worth it to do

You won't save more than 2-3k by buying from the US, & along with the risk & shipping prices blah blah, it would make more sense to purchase it in ZA.

 

[adonimac]

You won't save more than 2-3k by buying from the US, & along with the risk & shipping prices blah blah, it would make more sense to purchase it in ZA.

I see - what about someone who travels to the US often or someone on carb that's able to bring them in with them?
I may even know someone that travels to the states for studying - Im just unsure of the functionality limitations to using a US-based iphone here - does iStore honour the warranty at all ?

 

[adonimac]

So I have a family member in the states They usually send me parcels via DHL and the last thing they sent me was an iPhone 11 which I have to this deay maybe we could try and make like a plan or way we could do things if your interested .

That sounds like a great plan. Once I have more info on it ill definitely let you know. DId you have to pay customs or anything?

 

[adonimac]

SA release date and the USA release date is the same. Pricing will also be similar. I would rather wait for resellers to start listing them if you want to save some money

Resellers that import ? Do you know of any carb members that do this so I could check their profiles around launch time?

 

[Welshman]

I see - what about someone who travels to the US often or someone on carb that's able to bring them in with them?
I may even know someone that travels to the states for studying - Im just unsure of the functionality limitations to using a US-based iphone here - does iStore honour the warranty at all ?

Unless you're fine with not having the original packaging it's not worth it. Usually you'll get stopped at customs and have to pay VAT on anything that looks new or is sealed in the event they stop you and check your luggage. You might be able to sneak in a phone or laptop but of course you'll need to throw all packaging away. But you're supposed to declare any valuable items that you already own before going overseas so that customs won't accuse you of buying those overseas.

 

[valiente]

Unless you're fine with not having the original packaging it's not worth it. Usually you'll get stopped at customs and have to pay VAT on anything that looks new or is sealed in the event they stop you and check your luggage. You might be able to sneak in a phone or laptop but of course you'll need to throw all packaging away. But you're supposed to declare any valuable items that you already own before going overseas so that customs won't accuse you of buying those overseas.

NOT ADVICE - But I've NEVER been stopped/searched and I've brought in MANY sealed items.

I know of friends who brough in even GPU's fully sealed.

Again, YES you absolutely MUST declare your items...

 

[adonimac]

Ahh, I see. I didn't actually think of that honestly, only been overseas once
Thanks lol

I suppose my best bet is then to wait for a reseller on carb?

 

[SteveIndeed]

SA release date and the USA release date is the same. Pricing will also be similar. I would rather wait for resellers to start listing them if you want to save some money

The current price for a 14 in the US (assuming you buy in Washington, DC) is $829 which, at the current rate, is R15,698.36.

The same phone from iStore is R23,499.

With respect, you are grossly wrong.

@adonimac, as others have said, you need to declare items you've bought overseas but many people simply don't as the enforcement is lacking...

 

[adonimac]

The current price for a 14 in the US (assuming you buy in Washington, DC) is $829 which, at the current rate, is R15,698.36.

The same phone from iStore is R23,499.

With respect, you are grossly wrong.

@adonimac, as others have said, you need to declare items you've bought overseas but many people simply don't as the enforcement is lacking...

I think in @BrilliantTech s response they referred to me shipping it in to SA myself instead of getting someone to bring it in for me

How does that declaration work and would it end up costing the same after ?

 

[BrilliantTech]

The current price for a 14 in the US (assuming you buy in Washington, DC) is $829 which, at the current rate, is R15,698.36.

The same phone from iStore is R23,499.

With respect, you are grossly wrong.

@adonimac, as others have said, you need to declare items you've bought overseas but many people simply don't as the enforcement is lacking...

I don’t think you know how importing works. Let me help you
$829 is the base price. Add 6.5% sales tax and add $80for international shipping then you get $962 which comes to R18150. Now add 15% for import tax and R200 clearance fee then you get R21000.

You can get a sealed iPhone 14 for around R16000 which was my recommendation with the iPhone 15 pro max

 

[adonimac]

I don’t think you know how importing works. Let me help you
$829 is the base price. Add 6.5% sales tax and add $80for international shipping then you get $962 which comes to R18150. Now add 15% for import tax and R200 clearance fee then you get R21000.

You can get a sealed iPhone 14 for around R16000 which was my recommendation with the iPhone 15 pro max

Do you know of carb members that do resell the iPhones new ? Do you do it by any chance
Thanks for that explanation though

 

[Switch]

Add 6.5% sales tax

Technically this can be recouped (and the actual percentage is state dependent), but you will need to be present as a tourist to claim it back on an individual level, there is likely to be something similar at a company level on mass exports. But this won't be applicable for say someone using myus or a family member using dhl to buy and export out/import into sa.

 

[disipher]

So pretty much what the title says. Wondering if there's anyone here who can import iPhones from the states (while taking some cash for themselves ofcourse) or knows a good easy way to do it while still saving money. I saw some threads on here about importing from UAE but with the whole FaceTime thing, which I use often, I would wanna skip that.

I see that the bands are compatible with our local bands (looking at https://www.kimovil.com/en/frequency-checker/ZA/apple-iphone-14-pro )

Im interested in importing a 15 Pro or Pro Max (depending on the price) as I know local prices will be crazy. I got my 13 Pro Max in 2021 October for 22k with free AirPods, but now the base pro is more than 4k over that

I also know another person or two who would be interested in importing if we could maybe organise a group thing or something.

And from what I know, Vodacom does support eSims so I should be covered on that front

Any info on this is appreciated, if its even worth it to do

did you know, you can fly to USA with return ticket, buy an IPhone, come back home and buy a coke
And it will be approximately the same price

Predicted Price - R35k? cant find resources, but the current IPhone 14 Pro is 30k

Shop iPhone Range - iPhone

www.istore.co.za

%20AO%20-%20iPhone%20All&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIs7fU-vGrgQMVlIRoCR0P9QkEEAAYASAAEgK6DPD_BwE

Flight to Washington - R12000
IPhone Store with current RSA/USD R23000
Coke - R12 - :d

Game South Africa | We beat any price

www.game.co.za

Buy iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max

https://www.qatarairways.com/app/booking/flight-selection?widget=QR&searchType=F&addTaxToFare=Y&minPurTime=0&upsellCallId=&allowRedemption=Y&flexibleDate=off&bookingClass=E&tripType=R&selLang=en&fromStation=JNB&from=Johannesburg&toStation=IAD&to=Washington%20D.C.&departingHidden=15%20Sep%202023&departing=2023-09-15&returningHidden=22%20Sep%202023&returning=2023-09-22&adults=1&children=0&infants=0&teenager=0&ofw=0

 

[SteveIndeed]

I don’t think you know how importing works. Let me help you
$829 is the base price. Add 6.5% sales tax and add $80for international shipping then you get $962 which comes to R18150. Now add 15% for import tax and R200 clearance fee then you get R21000.

You can get a sealed iPhone 14 for around R16000 which was my recommendation with the iPhone 15 pro max

Don't be obtuse, dude. I know exactly how importing works - because I do it myself - while you know exactly that I'm talking about buying it there or having a relative/friend buy it and bring it back for you.

Although perhaps I shouldn't be surprised by your apparent self-serving stance and snarky message since, SURPRISE, you happen to sell sealed iPhone 14s.

 

[MR FREEZE]

I don’t think you know how importing works. Let me help you
$829 is the base price. Add 6.5% sales tax and add $80for international shipping then you get $962 which comes to R18150. Now add 15% for import tax and R200 clearance fee then you get R21000.

You can get a sealed iPhone 14 for around R16000 which was my recommendation with the iPhone 15 pro max

Not just Import tax but VAT also, thats if you doing things the right way.

No warranty in South Africa, although Apple says there is, goodluck with the Core group.

eSim with Vodacom is another goodluck, try getting a prepaid eSim with Vodacom, impossible, they have now internally suspended it while still advertised as available and they blatantly mention they cannot guarantee it working on a phone purchased overseas, Telkom and Cell C seem to be fine.

But yip, if you are able to sneak it in to the country, you will be saving a lot.

 

[SteveIndeed]

I think in @BrilliantTech s response they referred to me shipping it in to SA myself instead of getting someone to bring it in for me

How does that declaration work and would it end up costing the same after ?

I was referring only to his unclear comment about pricing being "similar". My previous iPhone was bought in DC and my current one in the UK. I've saved significant money on both occasions.

He is correct that if you import it yourself, the pricing will be similar.

SARS, with its grubby little paws, wants every possible cent it can get. So, when you/anyone else comes into SA, the law requires you to declare the value of valuable items you're bringing in with you. There's been a recent amendment, as someone else said, that now requires SA residents to declare the value of items they're taking out with them, even if only for a holiday. On returning, you're given another form to make a declaration once again and strictly speaking, you have to declare items that you've bought overseas so that the SARS numpties can charge you duties. The form is here: https://www.sars.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/Ops/Forms/TC01-Traveller-Card-External-Form.pdf. If you don't declare anything on the form and then walk through the green lane/Nothing-to-Declare lane at the airport with your bags but you do have declarable goods on you, SARS can stop you, search you and seize the items to force to you pay duties.

 

[adonimac]

did you know, you can fly to USA with return ticket, buy an IPhone, come back home and buy a coke
And it will be approximately the same price

Predicted Price - R35k? cant find resources, but the current IPhone 14 Pro is 30k

Shop iPhone Range - iPhone

www.istore.co.za

%20AO%20-%20iPhone%20All&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIs7fU-vGrgQMVlIRoCR0P9QkEEAAYASAAEgK6DPD_BwE

Flight to Washington - R12000
IPhone Store with current RSA/USD R23000
Coke - R12 - :d

Game South Africa | We beat any price

www.game.co.za

Buy iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max

https://www.qatarairways.com/app/booking/flight-selection?widget=QR&searchType=F&addTaxToFare=Y&minPurTime=0&upsellCallId=&allowRedemption=Y&flexibleDate=off&bookingClass=E&tripType=R&selLang=en&fromStation=JNB&from=Johannesburg&toStation=IAD&to=Washington%20D.C.&departingHidden=15%20Sep%202023&departing=2023-09-15&returningHidden=22%20Sep%202023&returning=2023-09-22&adults=1&children=0&infants=0&teenager=0&ofw=0

Yea istores prices are crazy. Atleast digicape had some good bundles around the 12 and the 13 generations which made it much more attractive but 30k on a pro max is more than I paid for my 14 inch pro

 

[adonimac]

I was referring only to his unclear comment about pricing being "similar". My previous iPhone was bought in DC and my current one in the UK. I've saved significant money on both occasions.

He is correct that if you import it yourself, the pricing will be similar.

SARS, with its grubby little paws, wants every possible cent it can get. So, when you/anyone else comes into SA, the law requires you to declare the value of valuable items you're bringing in with you. There's been a recent amendment, as someone else said, that now requires SA residents to declare the value of items they're taking out with them, even if only for a holiday. On returning, you're given another form to make a declaration once again and strictly speaking, you have to declare items that you've bought overseas so that the SARS numpties can charge you duties. The form is here: https://www.sars.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/Ops/Forms/TC01-Traveller-Card-External-Form.pdf. If you don't declare anything on the form and then walk through the green lane/Nothing-to-Declare lane at the airport with your bags but you do have declarable goods on you, SARS can stop you, search you and seize the items to force to you pay duties.

It sounds like a lot of hassle for a phone- especially for me who doesn’t travel
I think my best bet is just waiting for carb resellers

 

[Vik]

That sounds like a great plan. Once I have more info on it ill definitely let you know. DId you have to pay customs or anything?

Yes I did it wasn't much just R86 But I have heard of cases where someone payed about R1000 in customs I don't know how to evaluate customs

 

[luckyletuku]

So I have a family member in the states They usually send me parcels via DHL and the last thing they sent me was an iPhone 11 which I have to this deay maybe we could try and make like a plan or way we could do things if your interested .

im interested lucky letuku is my name