Customs Duty
Calculator.
Buying from Shein, Temu, Amazon or any overseas store? Calculate exactly how much SARS customs duty and VAT you will owe before your parcel arrives. No loopholes left — every import is taxed since November 2024.
Clothing duty
45%
SARS Schedule 1 — Chapters 61–62
Shoes duty
30%
SARS Schedule 1 — Chapter 64
Phones & laptops
0%
Duty-free under WTO ITA
VAT on all items
15%
Applied to every import
Real examples — what you'll actually pay
Shein dress — R400 item + R80 shipping
Clothing (45% duty) · CIF value: R480
Duty
R216
VAT (15%)
R104
Total taxes
R320
Temu sneakers — R600 item + R120 shipping
Footwear (30% duty) · CIF value: R720
Duty
R216
VAT (15%)
R140
Total taxes
R356
iPhone from US — R18,000 item + R500 shipping
Electronics (0% duty) · CIF value: R18 500
Duty
R0
VAT (15%)
R2 775
Total taxes
R2 775
Excludes courier handling/clearance fees (typically R200–R500 extra). Use the calculator below for your exact figures.
Your order details
Shirts, dresses, jackets, activewear, underwear
What you paid on Shein, Temu, Amazon, etc.
International shipping only (paid at checkout)
Enter your order value and select a category above to calculate your SARS import tax.
Data: Effective 1 April 2026 · SARS Tariff Book · Value-Added Tax Act 89 of 1991 · See methodology
What changed — the Shein & Temu tax explained
Before July 2024, personal parcels under R500 in value enjoyed a SARS “concession”: they paid a flat 20% duty and no VAT. Platforms like Shein and Temu exploited this by splitting orders into small parcels that fell under the threshold.
SARS closed the loophole in stages:
1 July 2024: Shein and Temu specifically lost the concession — all their shipments became subject to standard duty rates.
1 September 2024: 15% VAT extended to all personal parcels, including those under R500.
1 November 2024: The flat 20% rate abolished. Full SARS Schedule 1 duty rates (clothing 45%, shoes 30%, etc.) now apply to every import.
The result: a R500 Shein clothing order now attracts roughly R325+ in customs duty and VAT— before the courier's handling fee.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still pay customs duty on orders under R500?
Yes — the old R500 exemption (de minimis concession) no longer applies. SARS abolished it in stages: from 1 September 2024, 15% VAT was added to all parcels; from 1 November 2024, full duty rates replaced the old flat 20% concession. Every import — regardless of value — is now subject to full customs duty and 15% VAT.
How is customs duty calculated in South Africa?
Customs duty is calculated on the CIF value — the total of your item price, plus international shipping, plus any insurance. The duty rate depends on the category of goods (e.g. 45% for clothing, 0% for smartphones). On top of duty, you also pay 15% VAT on the combined CIF + duty amount. So: Duty = CIF × duty rate. VAT = (CIF + Duty) × 15%. Total taxes = Duty + VAT.
Why are clothes from Shein and Temu taxed so heavily?
Clothing and textiles attract a 45% customs duty rate under SARS Schedule 1 (Chapters 61–62). This high rate is deliberate — it is designed to protect South Africa's domestic textile and clothing industry from cheap imported competition. On top of the 45% duty, 15% VAT is charged on the combined CIF + duty amount. The total effective tax burden on a clothing import can exceed 65% of the purchase price.
What is the CIF value and why does it matter?
CIF stands for Cost, Insurance, and Freight. SARS uses the CIF value — not just the item price — as the base for calculating customs duty. This means if you paid R500 for a dress and R120 for shipping, the customs duty is calculated on R620 (the combined CIF value). Always include your shipping cost for an accurate calculation.
Do phones and laptops from overseas attract customs duty?
No — smartphones, tablets, and laptops are duty-free under the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA), which South Africa is party to. You still pay 15% VAT on the purchase price plus shipping (the CIF value), but there is no separate customs duty on top. This makes electronics one of the most cost-effective categories to import.
Does SARS actually check every parcel from Shein and Temu?
SARS uses a risk-profiling system to decide which parcels to physically inspect. Not every parcel is opened. However, since 1 July 2024, Shein and Temu are required to declare all shipments at full duty rates — SARS has explicitly removed their ability to rely on the old de minimis concession. Undervaluing goods is a customs offence and can result in penalties.
My courier charged me more than this calculator shows — why?
Couriers like DHL, FedEx, and Aramex add their own customs handling or clearance fee on top of the SARS taxes. This fee is typically R200–R500 and covers the cost of the courier completing the SARS customs declaration on your behalf. It is not a SARS tax — it is a courier service charge. This calculator shows only the SARS duty and VAT; the courier fee will be separate.
Can I claim customs duty back?
As an individual importer buying goods for personal use, generally no. Customs duty paid on personal imports is not refundable. VAT-registered businesses that import goods for business use can claim the 15% import VAT back as an input tax credit on their VAT return, but the customs duty itself is typically not recoverable unless specific rebate provisions apply (Schedules 3 and 4 of the Customs and Excise Act).
Sources: SARS Schedule 1 Part 1 of the Customs and Excise Act No. 91 of 1964 (updated 2026-04-17). sars.gov.za/tariff · SARS — Changes to Customs import system. Rates marked “estimated” are based on secondary sources and should be verified with your courier or a licensed clearing agent. This calculator is for illustrative purposes and does not constitute professional customs or tax advice.
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