Sim Racing Gear - Where and how to buy

[Avian]

It's hard to find stores that ship to SA and buying locally is much more expensive than importing, sometimes approx. 200% the landed price of an imported item. This post is for people to post ways to get sim racing gear for a reasonable price, how, where and for how much. Please keep the posts to that formula.

These online stores ship directly to SA :
(Thanks to Ulti for this info in his post under Smack Talk)

Digital Motorsports (Personal experience, excellent prices and service, highly recommended)
Demon Tweeks
Race Anywhere
SimRacingBay
Advanced SimRacing
RaceWerk
SimMakerZ (Warning! See below)

Alternatively if you want to buy direct from Fanatec UK (they have 230v 50Hz power), this is how (they don't ship to SA) :
Use the shipping forwarding company MyUS (myus.com), a single package is free, more than 1 package is $9.99 / month or $60 / year. Register and get an UK and US address. When ordering in UK or US store that does not ship to SA, simply input your MyUS address for the country you are shopping in and they will ship it there, then forward it to you. The fee is comparable to what it would normally come to when buying online, in other words, about the same amount as shipping and import duties would normally add up to.

Examples of Items from Digital Motorsports : (Within 5 work days to your door usually, depending on SA side couriers)

Fanatec McLaren GT3 Steering Wheel v2.0
Website Price (@ the time of purchase) : R3173
Shipping : R1100
Import Duties : R747
Total Cost @ my door : R5020 (Local price R8495)

Fanatec CSL Pedal Set + Fanatec Clubsport USB Adapter
Website Price (@ the time of purchase) : R1151 + R299
Shipping : R1228
Import Duties : R444
Total Cost @ my door : R3122 (Local price varies from R3995 to R5499 + R1095 to R1350, total varies R5090 to R6849)

Heusinkveld Sim Pedals Sprint - 3 Pedal Set
Website Price (@ the time of purchase) : R9635
Shipping : R1400
Import Duties : R1826
Total Cost @ my door : R12862 (Local price varies from R16500-17000)

Fanatec Clubsport Quick Release Adapter
Website Price (@ the time of purchase) : R1396
Shipping : R1097
Import Duties : R433
Total Cost @ my door : R2927 (Local price varies from R2500-3000) *This I could have done better if paired with another order (should be less for shipping), but due to stock problems I ordered as stock came in without grouping. However, this part is reasonably priced locally in my opinion*

Examples of Items from Fanatec UK via MyUS :

Fanatec CSL DD 8nm Wheel Base from Fanatec UK via shipping forwarder MyUS

Website Price (@ the time of purchase): R7728
Import duties/tax paid to UPS : R1800 (For Europe side) + R1613 (for SA side)
Shipping : R2635
Total Cost @ my door : R13777 (Local Price varies R18000 to R20000)

Examples of Items from other vendors :

SimMakerZ Magnetic Shifter Mod for Fanatec McLaren GT3 Steering Wheel v2.0 (WARNING!)
Website Price (@ the time of purchase) : R1743
Shipping : R352
Import Duties : R35
Total Cost @ my door : R2130
SimMakerZ ship via the Post Office. It takes 3 weeks (manufacturing time) from order/ payment date to start shipping from them. Once it leaves France (That's where they are located), you cannot track the package. All emails are in French. There is almost zero customer support. One of several emails got answered after 2 weeks and provided zero help / answers. The item took 2 months and 12 days to arrive.

 

[Mantiac]

I recently purchased a mint condition csl dd base (original packaging etc) , 5nm power supply and the Gran Turismo wheel off ebay. The total cost including shipping was around 12k.

I then ordered a 3rd party 8nm power supply also off ebay, total cost including shipping from Hong Kong R1300.

So the base and wheel arrived in perfect condition and have it mounted on my rig at the moment(connected to my pc and also to my ps5 via drivehub, very happy with it) . Took 6 weeks to arrive from Germany (the seller was based in Germany)

The 8nm power supply is still somewhere on a ship I'm guessing. Who knows if it will ever arrive....

I ordered both on 28 March 2022.

 

[Mantiac]

Just got word this morning that the 8nm power supply arrived in SA 😁

 

[Avian]

UPDATE : Edited 1st post with new orders from Digital Motorsports and updated order from Fanatec UK direct via shipping importer MyUS.

This is the Fanatec UK order process :

In short, it took 16 days from purchase to my door.
You have to pay duties twice. Once for crossing European borders and once for crossing SA borders, pricing in 1st post.
You have to upload proof of purchase (Invoice / Paypal screenshot). In my case there was no invoice with the item.
Other than a bit of admin with MyUS and courier, it's just a bit of patience.

 

[Avian]

Updated my posts with more items and final progress of direct import from Fanatec UK, also SimMakerZ order process.

Please see above for details.

 

[Drav3n_ZA]

Morning, I just finished my gear shifter mount /w cup holder
Great hobby to get into.

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Image 1 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

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Image 2 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

 

[Avian]

That look awesome! Like the beer holder….
Reminds me I have to update my thread with a few new items. I’m quite heavily into it now. Started racing competitively locally, not too serious, but it’s great fun! Enjoy!

EDIT : Just noticed it's CBC Lager... good taste too

 

[Ho3n3r]

Is there a way to calculate customs and shipping reliably when buying from Digital-Motorsports.com: Global Sim Racing Store I asked them, and they obviously said they can't help with the customs.

I know it's normally between 50-70% of the price of the item, but I need to be more accurate than that.

 

[CHILLED]

Is there a way to calculate customs and shipping reliably when buying from Digital-Motorsports.com: Global Sim Racing Store I asked them, and they obviously said they can't help with the customs.

I know it's normally between 50-70% of the price of the item, but I need to be more accurate than that.

It's 20%. Vat and duties.

 

[Whoozycomic]

Think its 27% the last time we checked...

 

[Avian]

Is there a way to calculate customs and shipping reliably when buying from Digital-Motorsports.com: Global Sim Racing Store I asked them, and they obviously said they can't help with the customs.

I know it's normally between 50-70% of the price of the item, but I need to be more accurate than that.

Hi, Sorry for the late reply!

The exact value can change, you'll be close if you work the % out from my deals in the original post, but like the guys said, it's in the 20-30% region, depends on the type of item, but for sim gear it's usually about that range. It's impossible to know exactly though, customs has the last say there.

My imports varied from 19-31%

 

[durimotara]

@Avian Just trying to get some clarity on this "Alternatively if you want to buy direct from Fanatec UK (they have 230v 50Hz power), this is how (they don't ship to SA) "

Are you saying they don't ship to SA due to the power standard but is that not the same as the SA standard. Sorry if I am misunderstanding.

I'm interested in the ready to race bundle and think it would be a good upgrade from my T300 RS but I will probably keep using my T-LCM pedals because loadcell.

 

[Avian]

@Avian Just trying to get some clarity on this "Alternatively if you want to buy direct from Fanatec UK (they have 230v 50Hz power), this is how (they don't ship to SA) "

Are you saying they don't ship to SA due to the power standard but is that not the same as the SA standard. Sorry if I am misunderstanding.

I'm interested in the ready to race bundle and think it would be a good upgrade from my T300 RS but I will probably keep using my T-LCM pedals because loadcell.

Hi, I can see how my wording could be confusing there...

They have the same power standard, so it's ideal to buy from the EU.
Fanatec UK just does not ship to SA for reasons only known to them. I'm not aware of any official Fanatec agents in SA, usually that could be a reason.

 

[durimotara]

Hi, I can see how my wording could be confusing there...

They have the same power standard, so it's ideal to buy from the EU.
Fanatec UK just does not ship to SA for reasons only known to them. I'm not aware of any official Fanatec agents in SA, usually that could be a reason.

Thanks so much for the clarity. I will probably use MyUS.com. Hope it goes well.

 

[ExperBuysStuff]

Hi, thanks so much for this information. I just wanted to know , if I buy from Fanatec US store, does my US not get it shipped directly to SA so that you only pay duties once(since you not going thru European borders and im guessing fanatec is manufactured in US since you have to pay duties to get it into europe). Also is it not better to buy from US as the stuff is the same price but different currency(example the ready2race bundle is 400 USD for US and 400 Euro for europe) so won't you pay less if you buy from the US store since the USD is weaker than the Euro(unless I'm stupid and its not so simple as stronger currency but also about import tax from different countries). And a 3rd question, I wanted to get the Fanatec ready to race bundle, and the weight can be estimated but im not sure if the dimensions will be below the stated from MYUS:

"If your package's length + width + height is greater than 72 inches"​

since shipping goes up a ton on MYUS if you change those values(like from 200 dollars to 2500 dollars). Does it treat each of those packages seperately so I dont have to pay a ridiculous amount for shipping?.. I.e that package size thing doesn't matter but only the weight.

 

[Avian]

Hi, thanks so much for this information. I just wanted to know , if I buy from Fanatec US store, does my US not get it shipped directly to SA so that you only pay duties once(since you not going thru European borders and im guessing fanatec is manufactured in US since you have to pay duties to get it into europe). Also is it not better to buy from US as the stuff is the same price but different currency(example the ready2race bundle is 400 USD for US and 400 Euro for europe) so won't you pay less if you buy from the US store since the USD is weaker than the Euro(unless I'm stupid and its not so simple as stronger currency but also about import tax from different countries). And a 3rd question, I wanted to get the Fanatec ready to race bundle, and the weight can be estimated but im not sure if the dimensions will be below the stated from MYUS:

"If your package's length + width + height is greater than 72 inches"​

since shipping goes up a ton on MYUS if you change those values(like from 200 dollars to 2500 dollars). Does it treat each of those packages seperately so I dont have to pay a ridiculous amount for shipping?.. I.e that package size thing doesn't matter but only the weight.

Hi

Not sure I can answer all your questions 100%, but will explain to the best of my ability / knowledge...

1. and 2. If you buy from Fanatec US it should ship directly and duties should be paid only once - the problem is US is 110volt (Hz also not the same) and and UK uses our same voltage / Hz. So unless it's something that doesn't require mains power, I'd stay UK. Usually the shipping from UK makes it so that it is not cheaper from US, but I havn't done this myself, so I can't say 100% for sure which way will be cheaper. If you just convert the currency, then US wins almost always - but it doesn't work out like that in the end, not always, so be careful.

3. Fanatec should be able to give exact dimensions, if it's not all ready available online somewhere. Regarding shipping via MyUS, best advice is to register and email them your query about 2 separate packages. They can customize the way they send items, that should be possible. (Just double check the shipping values you quoted there, I remember it going up a lot, but not that much, either way, you should be able to avoid that)

Hope that helps, I know there are a lot of "should" answers, but obviously I can't take any responsibility / risk, just some free advice, but please still do your own research etc!

 

[ExperBuysStuff]

Hi

Not sure I can answer all your questions 100%, but will explain to the best of my ability / knowledge...

1. and 2. If you buy from Fanatec US it should ship directly and duties should be paid only once - the problem is US is 110volt (Hz also not the same) and and UK uses our same voltage / Hz. So unless it's something that doesn't require mains power, I'd stay UK. Usually the shipping from UK makes it so that it is not cheaper from US, but I havn't done this myself, so I can't say 100% for sure which way will be cheaper. If you just convert the currency, then US wins almost always - but it doesn't work out like that in the end, not always, so be careful.

3. Fanatec should be able to give exact dimensions, if it's not all ready available online somewhere. Regarding shipping via MyUS, best advice is to register and email them your query about 2 separate packages. They can customize the way they send items, that should be possible. (Just double check the shipping values you quoted there, I remember it going up a lot, but not that much, either way, you should be able to avoid that)

Hope that helps, I know there are a lot of "should" answers, but obviously I can't take any responsibility / risk, just some free advice, but please still do your own research etc!

Noted will look into it,thanks for the info once again. Hopefully all goes well ^^

 

[Avian]

There seem to still be some confusion on the ACTUAL cost of getting items to your door. It's EXPENSIVE!

Say you buy an item, like I did in 2022, for R1500. If you think you're paying close to that landed, you are in for a nasty surprise. The shipping on that item was around R1350 plus duties around 27%. (This varies)

That R1500 item LANDED then becomes R3250-3500 depending on duties.

You can add items to your cart in Digital Motorsports website and see what shipping would be, without buying. Duties you can't see but work on approx. 27% on the ITEM price (without shipping), but leave a little 5-10% buffer, because once in customs you HAVE to pay.

(Just to clarify. I'm not being greedy asking R2000 for my VESA mounts when they are close to that price new, in the online store when you just convert the currency. It's not an item that wears out, so it's as new, and it would cost approx R4000 (to land at your door) currently (I paid R3500 in 2022). Just mentioning this because people say they'll rather import, but maybe do not understand 100% what the item will cost to get to their door.)