04-08-2025
- Business
- The South African
Customs at checkout? Shein introduces 'import charge'
South African Shein shoppers have spotted a new feature that includes import duties in the checkout process. This means that payment now reportedly includes the cost of customs, which it claims no longer has to be paid separately.
Shein shoppers in South Africa have noticed that customs can now be paid inclusive of the order total.
In the checkout process, a breakdown of prices now includes an 'import charge' fee. The Chinese fast-fashion company reveals that the fee 'includes customs duty, VAT, and other import charges paid on your behalf.'
Previously, import duties were paid directly to an international logistics company before the order was dispatched to your doorstep.
'You do not need to pay any additional charges to couriers separately', Shein added.
On social media, South African consumers have praised Shein over the new feature, which calculates the import duties for shoppers.
TikToker @micy_lesego posted: 'No more stressing about how much we are going to be charged at customs!'
Another – @refilwe_molapisi – added: 'Much cheaper. These companies were overcharging us!' @shaolin273 WAIT—Did y'all notice @SHEIN SHEIN now adds import fees BEFORE you even pay? 😳 No more delivery day surprises 😭👏 Your customs are sorted! Just pay & wait for your drip 💅 #SheinSouthAfrica #CustomsIncluded #SheinTips #SheinPlug #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt ♬ original sound – Azwinndini🌸
When shopping on fast-fashion sites like Shein and Temu, consumers should anticipate paying a large portion of import taxes.
This figure – provided by an international logistics company on behalf of the company – is broken down into customs duties and VAT.
Customs duties are the fee you pay for declaring goods imported into the country. As of last year, SARS imposed a 45% import duty on clothing. For other items, this can be considerably less.
VAT is set at 15% and is calculated as the sum of your order's total cost plus the customs duty cost.
According to YouTuber Stefan van der Merwe, Shein and other Chinese fashion companies often underdeclare goods, meaning that import taxes could be considerably lower than what they should be.
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