Shein, Temu & AliExpress Landed Cost Calculator
Find out what your cross-border online order will actually cost by the time it lands in South Africa — with customs duty, VAT, and courier fees properly factored in. No more checkout-price surprises.
Your total landed cost
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Important: Customs duty rates and currency exchange estimates shown here reflect typical 2026 SARS schedules and rough market values. SARS publishes exact rates by HS code — if your purchase is large, verify with your courier or via the SARS tariff schedule. The 2024 SARS reform removed the previous R500 de minimis threshold, so all imports now attract VAT regardless of value. Tax regimes for Eswatini, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe coming soon.
Tax and currency data last verified: 9 May 2026. Spot an outdated rate? Email us — we review quarterly.
Common questions about cross-border shopping into South Africa
How accurate are the customs duty rates?
They reflect typical 2026 SARS tariff schedules at category level. Actual rates depend on the specific HS (Harmonised System) code of your item, which can be granular — for example, "clothing" covers dozens of different HS codes with slightly different rates. For most consumer purchases (clothing, electronics, accessories), the category rates we use are correct. For higher-value or specialist items, verify with your courier or via the official SARS tariff schedule before deciding.
Do I really pay VAT on small orders now?
Yes. Until 2024, packages under R500 were exempt from VAT — the "de minimis threshold". SARS removed this in 2024, so all imports now attract 15% VAT regardless of value, in addition to any customs duty. This is why even small Shein, Temu, and AliExpress orders have become noticeably more expensive at the point of delivery compared to a few years ago.
What's the cheapest courier option?
The South African Post Office (SAPO) is usually cheapest — they don't charge premium handling fees, just basic processing costs. The trade-off is speed: SAPO can take 4 to 8 weeks for international parcels from Asia. Local couriers (Aramex, DPD, Buffalo, RAM) are moderately priced and faster, typically 2 to 4 weeks. DHL, FedEx, and UPS are fastest (1 to 2 weeks) but charge significant clearance and handling fees (often R200 to R450). For low-value orders, the courier fee can sometimes exceed the customs duty.
Can I avoid customs duty legally?
Some categories are duty-free under SARS schedules — phones, laptops, tablets, and most consumer electronics carry 0% duty. Books are 0%. Toys are 0%. So the strategy isn't to "avoid" duty but to know which categories carry which rates and shop accordingly. Clothing (45%) is the highest. Bags, footwear (30%), and cosmetics (25%) are next. Use the calculator before checkout to see what you'll actually pay, and consider whether the item is one you could buy locally at competitive prices.
What about returns from international stores?
Returns are usually impractical for cross-border purchases. International return shipping often costs more than the item itself, plus you typically don't get refunded the original customs duty and VAT you paid. Some platforms (Amazon US, occasionally Shein) offer limited free returns for South Africa, but read the fine print carefully — the conditions are often restrictive. Best practice: only buy what you're confident about, check sizing carefully (Asian sizing runs small), and read recent reviews before ordering.
Does the calculator work for Amazon US orders?
Yes — we cover Amazon US in our store options. The same SARS customs duty and VAT rules apply to any cross-border order, regardless of which platform you use. Amazon Prime US to South Africa has its own arrangement: Amazon handles much of the customs paperwork upfront and shows a more complete delivery price at checkout, but you still pay the duties and VAT (just often bundled differently). Compare what Amazon quotes against our calculator to see if it matches.
Why are Shein clothes still so cheap even with the new VAT rules?
Even after the 45% clothing customs duty and 15% VAT, Shein clothing often remains cheaper than equivalent local retail because their base prices are extremely low (R50 to R200 per item before shipping). A R100 Shein t-shirt becomes roughly R210 to R250 landed, which is still cheaper than many South African retailers. The exception is quality: Shein clothing typically doesn't last as long as locally produced or branded items, so cost-per-wear can work out similar over time.