Do I pay import VAT on Temu and Shein orders to South Africa?

Yes. Any goods imported into South Africa are subject to import VAT at 15%, charged on the Added Tax Value (ATV). Clothing, footwear, and many other categories also attract customs duty on top of that. This applies regardless of the platform — Temu, Shein, AliExpress, Amazon, or any other international retailer. SARS collects these duties through the courier or postal service before the package is released to you. The platforms themselves do not collect South African import duties at checkout, so the charges arrive separately when your parcel reaches customs.

How accurate are these estimates, and what extra fees might apply?

This calculator uses the standard SARS tariff rates and the official ATV formula to give you a reliable budgeting estimate. That said, final charges can differ for a few reasons. Couriers typically add a customs clearance or disbursement fee of roughly R50–R200 per shipment — this covers the admin of filing the customs entry on your behalf. SARS may also reclassify goods into a different tariff heading than you expected, especially for items that span multiple categories. Some couriers pre-pay duties on your behalf and bill you on delivery, sometimes with a small surcharge. The declared value on the commercial invoice is what SARS uses — if the seller under-declares, the parcel can be held for inspection. Use this tool to decide whether an import makes financial sense, and always confirm final charges with your courier or SARS.

What is Added Tax Value (ATV) for imports?

ATV is the value that SARS uses as the base for calculating import VAT — it is not simply the purchase price. For goods shipped from outside the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), ATV equals the customs value (roughly the purchase price plus international shipping) plus 10% of that customs value, plus any non-rebated duties such as customs duty. The 10% uplift is meant to approximate the cost of getting the goods to the South African border. For goods originating in BLNS countries (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, or Eswatini), the 10% uplift does not apply because they are already within SACU. Import VAT is then 15% of the resulting ATV. Because duty is included in the ATV before VAT is applied, you effectively pay VAT on your duty — which is why the total cost adds up faster than many people expect.

What customs duty rates apply to clothing and footwear from Shein or Temu?

Clothing imported into South Africa attracts customs duty of around 45%, making it one of the highest-duty categories. Footwear sits at around 30%, and fabrics and textiles at 22%. Baby clothing is also heavily dutiable at around 40%. These high rates exist to protect the South African textile and footwear industries. When you add 15% import VAT on top of the ATV (which already includes duty), the total landed cost of a clothing item can easily be 60–80% more than the purchase price alone. A R300 Shein order, for example, could cost R500 or more once it clears customs — and that is before the courier's clearance fee. It is worth running the numbers before ordering, particularly for large hauls.

What duty rates apply to beauty products, skincare, and cosmetics?

Skincare products, perfumes, and fragrances generally attract 0% customs duty, making them relatively affordable to import — you only pay the 15% import VAT on the ATV. Makeup and cosmetics attract around 10% duty, and hair care products around 5%. Vitamins and supplements are also at 0% duty. This means beauty and personal care is one of the more import-friendly categories compared to clothing. That said, the 15% VAT and the courier clearance fee still apply, so a R200 skincare order will still land at more than R200. The savings are most obvious when comparing to high-margin local retail prices.

Do I pay duty on electronics like phones, laptops, or gaming consoles ordered online?

Many electronics categories attract 0% customs duty under international trade agreements. This includes mobile phones and tablets, computers and laptops, cameras, gaming consoles and games, headphones and audio equipment, and musical instruments. You still pay 15% import VAT on the ATV, which is not nothing — a R5 000 laptop will attract roughly R800–900 in import VAT. Consumer electronics (like smart home devices) attract around 5% duty, and phone accessories and chargers around 7%. Home appliances such as microwaves or air fryers attract around 10%. Use the correct category in the calculator to get the most accurate estimate for your specific item.

What are the duty rates for home decor, furniture, and kitchen items?

Most home and living categories attract customs duty of around 20%. This includes furniture, home decor, kitchen and dining items, and lighting. Home appliances such as small kitchen appliances are lower at around 10%, and tools and hardware also at 10%. If you are ordering a large furniture item or multiple home decor pieces from a platform like Aliexpress or a Chinese manufacturer, the 20% duty plus 15% import VAT adds up quickly. A R2 000 order of home decor items could cost R2 800 or more landed, before the courier fee.

What duty applies to toys, sports equipment, and outdoor gear?

Toys and games attract around 20% customs duty, as do sports equipment and sports accessories. Outdoor and camping gear is around 15%, and fitness equipment also around 15%. If you are ordering sports or fitness gear from international sites to save money, factor these duties in — local sporting goods retailers already include import costs in their pricing, so the gap may be smaller than the listed price suggests. Musical instruments are an exception at 0% duty, making them one of the better categories to import directly.

Are books and stationery dutiable when imported into South Africa?

Books and publications attract 0% customs duty, which reflects their status as educational and cultural goods. You still pay 15% import VAT on the ATV though. Stationery and office supplies attract around 10% duty, and art supplies also around 10%. If you are ordering specialist books, textbooks, or art materials not available locally, importing is often still very cost-effective even with VAT.

What about baby products — clothing, prams, and care items?

Baby clothing attracts a high duty rate of around 40%, similar to adult clothing. Baby gear and equipment — prams, cots, carriers, and similar items — attracts around 10% duty. Baby care products such as creams, wipes, and toiletries sit at around 5%. If you are shopping for baby clothing on Shein, Temu, or similar platforms, the 40% duty rate means the savings can quickly disappear once customs charges are added. Baby gear is more reasonable to import, particularly for expensive items where the price differential is significant.

Is there still a R500 tax-free allowance for clothing?

SARS import duty rules and exemption thresholds change over time. This calculator uses the current standard commercial rates — always confirm the latest thresholds directly with SARS or your courier before making purchasing decisions, especially for higher-value shipments. Do not rely on forum posts or outdated guides, as the rules have changed in recent years.

What is the de minimis threshold — do small orders get taxed?

South Africa does not have a high de minimis threshold like some countries. Low-value commercial shipments are generally still subject to duty and VAT. SARS and couriers may exercise discretion on very small parcels, but you should not rely on this. If you are ordering regularly from platforms like Temu or Shein, assume that duties and VAT apply to every shipment and budget accordingly. Splitting orders into smaller parcels to try to stay under any threshold is not a reliable strategy and may be seen as an attempt to avoid duties.

How do I compare Temu or Shein to a local shop price?

Enter the item price and shipping cost in the calculator, pick the right category, and get your estimated landed cost. Then enter the South African shelf price in the optional comparison field — this should be the VAT-inclusive price you see in a local store or on a local website. The tool will show you which option is cheaper on paper. Keep in mind that local prices already include VAT and the retailer's own import costs. The import route adds delivery time (often 2–6 weeks for standard shipping), potential returns complexity if something is wrong, and the risk of duties being higher than estimated. For clothing and footwear especially, the difference is often much smaller than it appears at first glance.

What are the duty rates for jewellery, watches, and accessories?

Jewellery and watches attract around 20% customs duty. Sunglasses, fashion accessories, belts, and wallets are also around 20%. Bags and luggage sit at 20% as well. These are mid-range duty categories — not as punishing as clothing, but still significant. A R1 000 watch order from AliExpress would attract around R200 in duty plus approximately R180 in import VAT, giving a landed cost of roughly R1 450 before the courier fee. Running the numbers in the calculator first can help you decide whether the saving is worth it.

What happens if I don't pay the import duties?

SARS and couriers will hold your package until duties and VAT are paid. If payment is not made within the required period, the goods may be abandoned or returned to the sender. There is no legal way to avoid import duties on commercial goods — attempting to under-declare the value of a shipment is a customs offence and can result in penalties. If you believe you have been incorrectly assessed, you can lodge a dispute with SARS through the formal objection process. Keep your purchase receipts as proof of the actual transaction value.

Do goods from BLNS countries (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini) get treated differently?

Yes. Goods that originate in Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, or Eswatini — collectively known as the BLNS countries — are within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) along with South Africa. For these goods, SARS does not add the standard 10% uplift to the customs value when calculating ATV. This means the base for import VAT is slightly lower than for goods shipped from outside SACU, such as from China. In practice, most goods ordered from Temu, Shein, or AliExpress originate in China and are not BLNS goods — but if you are buying from a supplier in one of those neighbouring countries, you can toggle the BLNS switch in the calculator to get an accurate estimate.

South African Import CostCustoms · duty · VAT calculator

Is it still worth buying from Temu (or overseas)?

SARS calculates import VAT at 15% on the Added Tax Value (ATV). For imports from outside the Customs Union, ATV generally includes your customs (CIF) value plus 10% of that value, plus customs duty; goods originating in Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, or Eswatini follow different ATV rules (see Duties and Taxes for Importers). Use the calculator for your estimated landed total, then add a local price you have seen (usually VAT-inclusive) to see which side looks cheaper on paper — before delivery time and returns.

Common questions

Do I pay import VAT on Temu and Shein orders to South Africa?: Yes. Any goods imported into South Africa are subject to import VAT at 15%, charged on the Added Tax Value (ATV). Clothing, footwear, and many other categories also attract customs duty on top of that. This applies regardless of the platform — Temu, Shein, AliExpress, Amazon, or any other international retailer. SARS collects these duties through the courier or postal service before the package is released to you. The platforms themselves do not collect South African import duties at checkout, so the charges arrive separately when your parcel reaches customs.

How accurate are these estimates, and what extra fees might apply?: This calculator uses the standard SARS tariff rates and the official ATV formula to give you a reliable budgeting estimate. That said, final charges can differ for a few reasons. Couriers typically add a customs clearance or disbursement fee of roughly R50–R200 per shipment — this covers the admin of filing the customs entry on your behalf. SARS may also reclassify goods into a different tariff heading than you expected, especially for items that span multiple categories. Some couriers pre-pay duties on your behalf and bill you on delivery, sometimes with a small surcharge. The declared value on the commercial invoice is what SARS uses — if the seller under-declares, the parcel can be held for inspection. Use this tool to decide whether an import makes financial sense, and always confirm final charges with your courier or SARS.

What is Added Tax Value (ATV) for imports?: ATV is the value that SARS uses as the base for calculating import VAT — it is not simply the purchase price. For goods shipped from outside the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), ATV equals the customs value (roughly the purchase price plus international shipping) plus 10% of that customs value, plus any non-rebated duties such as customs duty. The 10% uplift is meant to approximate the cost of getting the goods to the South African border. For goods originating in BLNS countries (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, or Eswatini), the 10% uplift does not apply because they are already within SACU. Import VAT is then 15% of the resulting ATV. Because duty is included in the ATV before VAT is applied, you effectively pay VAT on your duty — which is why the total cost adds up faster than many people expect.

What customs duty rates apply to clothing and footwear from Shein or Temu?: Clothing imported into South Africa attracts customs duty of around 45%, making it one of the highest-duty categories. Footwear sits at around 30%, and fabrics and textiles at 22%. Baby clothing is also heavily dutiable at around 40%. These high rates exist to protect the South African textile and footwear industries. When you add 15% import VAT on top of the ATV (which already includes duty), the total landed cost of a clothing item can easily be 60–80% more than the purchase price alone. A R300 Shein order, for example, could cost R500 or more once it clears customs — and that is before the courier's clearance fee. It is worth running the numbers before ordering, particularly for large hauls.

What duty rates apply to beauty products, skincare, and cosmetics?: Skincare products, perfumes, and fragrances generally attract 0% customs duty, making them relatively affordable to import — you only pay the 15% import VAT on the ATV. Makeup and cosmetics attract around 10% duty, and hair care products around 5%. Vitamins and supplements are also at 0% duty. This means beauty and personal care is one of the more import-friendly categories compared to clothing. That said, the 15% VAT and the courier clearance fee still apply, so a R200 skincare order will still land at more than R200. The savings are most obvious when comparing to high-margin local retail prices.

Do I pay duty on electronics like phones, laptops, or gaming consoles ordered online?: Many electronics categories attract 0% customs duty under international trade agreements. This includes mobile phones and tablets, computers and laptops, cameras, gaming consoles and games, headphones and audio equipment, and musical instruments. You still pay 15% import VAT on the ATV, which is not nothing — a R5 000 laptop will attract roughly R800–900 in import VAT. Consumer electronics (like smart home devices) attract around 5% duty, and phone accessories and chargers around 7%. Home appliances such as microwaves or air fryers attract around 10%. Use the correct category in the calculator to get the most accurate estimate for your specific item.

What are the duty rates for home decor, furniture, and kitchen items?: Most home and living categories attract customs duty of around 20%. This includes furniture, home decor, kitchen and dining items, and lighting. Home appliances such as small kitchen appliances are lower at around 10%, and tools and hardware also at 10%. If you are ordering a large furniture item or multiple home decor pieces from a platform like Aliexpress or a Chinese manufacturer, the 20% duty plus 15% import VAT adds up quickly. A R2 000 order of home decor items could cost R2 800 or more landed, before the courier fee.

What duty applies to toys, sports equipment, and outdoor gear?: Toys and games attract around 20% customs duty, as do sports equipment and sports accessories. Outdoor and camping gear is around 15%, and fitness equipment also around 15%. If you are ordering sports or fitness gear from international sites to save money, factor these duties in — local sporting goods retailers already include import costs in their pricing, so the gap may be smaller than the listed price suggests. Musical instruments are an exception at 0% duty, making them one of the better categories to import directly.

Are books and stationery dutiable when imported into South Africa?: Books and publications attract 0% customs duty, which reflects their status as educational and cultural goods. You still pay 15% import VAT on the ATV though. Stationery and office supplies attract around 10% duty, and art supplies also around 10%. If you are ordering specialist books, textbooks, or art materials not available locally, importing is often still very cost-effective even with VAT.

What about baby products — clothing, prams, and care items?: Baby clothing attracts a high duty rate of around 40%, similar to adult clothing. Baby gear and equipment — prams, cots, carriers, and similar items — attracts around 10% duty. Baby care products such as creams, wipes, and toiletries sit at around 5%. If you are shopping for baby clothing on Shein, Temu, or similar platforms, the 40% duty rate means the savings can quickly disappear once customs charges are added. Baby gear is more reasonable to import, particularly for expensive items where the price differential is significant.

Is there still a R500 tax-free allowance for clothing?: SARS import duty rules and exemption thresholds change over time. This calculator uses the current standard commercial rates — always confirm the latest thresholds directly with SARS or your courier before making purchasing decisions, especially for higher-value shipments. Do not rely on forum posts or outdated guides, as the rules have changed in recent years.

What is the de minimis threshold — do small orders get taxed?: South Africa does not have a high de minimis threshold like some countries. Low-value commercial shipments are generally still subject to duty and VAT. SARS and couriers may exercise discretion on very small parcels, but you should not rely on this. If you are ordering regularly from platforms like Temu or Shein, assume that duties and VAT apply to every shipment and budget accordingly. Splitting orders into smaller parcels to try to stay under any threshold is not a reliable strategy and may be seen as an attempt to avoid duties.

How do I compare Temu or Shein to a local shop price?: Enter the item price and shipping cost in the calculator, pick the right category, and get your estimated landed cost. Then enter the South African shelf price in the optional comparison field — this should be the VAT-inclusive price you see in a local store or on a local website. The tool will show you which option is cheaper on paper. Keep in mind that local prices already include VAT and the retailer's own import costs. The import route adds delivery time (often 2–6 weeks for standard shipping), potential returns complexity if something is wrong, and the risk of duties being higher than estimated. For clothing and footwear especially, the difference is often much smaller than it appears at first glance.

What are the duty rates for jewellery, watches, and accessories?: Jewellery and watches attract around 20% customs duty. Sunglasses, fashion accessories, belts, and wallets are also around 20%. Bags and luggage sit at 20% as well. These are mid-range duty categories — not as punishing as clothing, but still significant. A R1 000 watch order from AliExpress would attract around R200 in duty plus approximately R180 in import VAT, giving a landed cost of roughly R1 450 before the courier fee. Running the numbers in the calculator first can help you decide whether the saving is worth it.

What happens if I don't pay the import duties?: SARS and couriers will hold your package until duties and VAT are paid. If payment is not made within the required period, the goods may be abandoned or returned to the sender. There is no legal way to avoid import duties on commercial goods — attempting to under-declare the value of a shipment is a customs offence and can result in penalties. If you believe you have been incorrectly assessed, you can lodge a dispute with SARS through the formal objection process. Keep your purchase receipts as proof of the actual transaction value.

Do goods from BLNS countries (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini) get treated differently?: Yes. Goods that originate in Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, or Eswatini — collectively known as the BLNS countries — are within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) along with South Africa. For these goods, SARS does not add the standard 10% uplift to the customs value when calculating ATV. This means the base for import VAT is slightly lower than for goods shipped from outside SACU, such as from China. In practice, most goods ordered from Temu, Shein, or AliExpress originate in China and are not BLNS goods — but if you are buying from a supplier in one of those neighbouring countries, you can toggle the BLNS switch in the calculator to get an accurate estimate.