Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Why should I use Exhibition Freighting & not my own Commercial Agent?
Commercial Agents are not registered Importers & will not be able to complete Customs procedures in ZA.
What are my options to send my goods to South Africa & when do my goods need to be ready?
- By AIR / COURIER – Your goods should be packed & ready to leave your premises about 30days /1 month before the show.
- By SEA – your goods need to be packed & ready to leave your premises about 98 days /14 weeks /3.25 months.
Why do my goods need to be ready so early?
Allow 1 week to pack & make an inventory / 1 week for export procedures / 4 days transit to South Africa / 14 days for ZA customs procedures.
Is there an option for expedited shipping if needed?
No, whilst you may think that courier will be quicker, we still need 14 days to deal with the Courier company formalities.
What documentation is needed?
For general goods, a Commercial Invoice & packing list is required. We can assist you in preparing these documents.
What value do I need to declare on my Commercial Invoice?
ZA Customs want to see a reasonable value, as they can check the price on the internet. If ZA Customs find the value is too low, then they can fine you a min of R5000 per shipment.
Are there duties & taxes applicable to exhibition goods?
- Yes, duties are applied to all goods that enter into ZA permanently, whether they are for commercial use or for exhibitions.
- There is no duty applied to temporary goods, however there is a 3% bond fee applied on the value of the goods.
Are there any restrictions on the type of goods I can send to South Africa?
Yes, there is. Please avoid sending electrical goods, food & beverages, alcohol, medicines, plants.
What happens if I want to send electrical goods?
Electrical goods for exhibitions are allowed under Temporary Importation, where we set up a Bond with customs & will be examined by customs.
What happens if I want to send food, beverages & alcohol?
These items all require a Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Phytosanitary Certificate, Health Certificate & we need to apply for an Import Permit.
What happens when the goods arrive in South Africa?
- Customs procedures get completed.
- The goods get collected from the Airline & delivered to EF warehouse.
- The goods get stored until the delivery date to the venue to our storage container.
- The goods get delivered to your booth when you arrive.
Is there a tracking system in place to monitor the shipments progress?
Yes, once you book with us, we will share our tracking link with you, which will allow you to monitor the progress of your shipment.
Do you have stroage at the venue?
Yes, we do have storage at the venue. This is mostly for the cagro before the show & for the empty cases during the show.
Do you have Access storage?
Yes. We do. Please pre-book this space with us.
Do you insure my goods?
Transit to ZA – during the show & the return to your premises. We are not FISA insured, therefore we cannot sell insurance.
What are the procedures for returning my goods back to my premises?
- If your goods have been sent to us under Temporary Importation, then we do need to re-export the goods back to origin. These costs would have been.
- If your goods have been sent to us as a Permanent import, we can send the goods back to origin again. We will prepare the Export documents, using our Exporters licence. The costs will be available upon request.
What is the shipping cost to send my goods to South Africa?
Please reach out to our customer support team via email or phone in order that they can put together a quote.
How can I reach customer support team for my shipping requirements?
For any questions / issues related to shipping & logistics for the Exhibition, you can contact by email at – ef-gsm@ef-gsm.co.za and one of our Team will connect with you. If it is urgent, please call us on +27 21 552 7248.
