Online shoppers in South Africa can now breathe a sigh of relief when ordering from Shein, as the Chinese e-commerce giant has updated its app to include import duties upfront, removing the uncertainty of unexpected fees upon delivery.
Previously, customers had to pay additional customs charges separately to courier services like Buffalo Logistics, Aramex, or iMile before receiving their parcels. Now, Shein displays these fees as a clear line item labeled ‘import charges‘ during checkout, covering ‘customs duty, VAT, and other import charges paid on your behalf.’
Cape {town} Etc Discount Alert!
Unlock Cape Town’s best experiences for half the price! From unforgettable adventures to hidden gems and mouthwatering restaurants, these limited-time deals won’t last long. Snag your discount before they’re gone!
South African shoppers have welcomed the change, taking to platforms like TikTok to celebrate the added transparency. One user, Nomalinah, explained that the update helps combat scams where fraudsters pose as couriers demanding fake customs payments, as reported by News24.
Another shopper noted that the feature makes budgeting easier, as they no longer have to guess potential extra costs.
Import taxes on Shein orders consist of customs duties and VAT. As of last year, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) imposed a 45% duty on clothing, while VAT remains at 15%, calculated on the total order value plus customs fees.
However, some shoppers claim that Shein occasionally underdeclares package values, potentially lowering import costs. Financial YouTuber Stefan van der Merwe has highlighted this practice, though Shein has not publicly commented on the matter.
In another move to attract shoppers, Shein has introduced Payflex, allowing South Africans to split payments into four interest-free installments. While convenient, some users caution that the ease of payment could lead to impulsive purchases.
‘Proceed with caution,’ warned one TikTok user, emphasising the risk of overspending.
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join!
Also read:
Picture: Getty Images
