supplement import and restrictions

Hi All,
I am interested to import supplements from bb.com, the usual, multivitamins, explode, protein,etc. Are there any bans or restrictions, perhaps such as the one on import of milk products? Will custom duties have to be paid? And will I have to go to the airport to clear these? I have done this in the Middle East before, ordering with no problems, not sure how our customs will operate. Your opinion would be appreciated! Regards

I think you will be taxed extremely hard. That is the only reason why supplements in SA are so expensive. The import duties just rape the agents

agents! Thanks, but even if they tax you 100% of the product price it's still a bargain! Do they open all packages or does this happen at random?

I've bought from bb.com a couple of times. Don't pick normal postage first of all because you're going to wait about three months. Yes its taxed pretty hard, you can add about 40% to your order for this.

If you take normal post then you pay the tax to the post office where you're collecting from and if its courier you pay it directly to Fedex.

I've bought most things that your mentioned and they've never opened the package when sent via Fedex but when it came through the post office bb.com had to send through a list of ingredients to SAPO. Fedex is also a clearing agent that's why you'll have your stuff the next week already.

I did a little excersice now with ordering stuff from bb.com vs buying those products here.

If i had to buy the following:
1. Superpump 250
2. Size on pre contest
3. Myofusion protein
4. ON opti ment

These products with a 52 dollar global DHL shipping charge and 40% added for local tax it amounts to R1777

Having to buy those products locally would cost me about R2000.

That is with a 52 dollar shipping and adding 40% to the total (i should actually add the 40% tax to the amount before shipping, so the real cost is actually lower).

If i lived in the US i would use a shit load of supplements and stick with the best in each category. I would not even look at prices because compared to what we pay they are all dirt cheap there

I wouldn't buy protein from there though. It adds to the weight and you can get cheaper locally.


Recently I had a colleague in the US send me the supps via our regular shipment from them with my Dr.Pepper and Fruitloops. Then I at least avoid the tax.

vega5 wrote: I wouldn't buy protein from there though. It adds to the weight and you can get cheaper locally.


Recently I had a colleague in the US send me the supps via our regular shipment from them with my Dr.Pepper and Fruitloops. Then I at least avoid the tax.

Now thats not fair! Me wants sum too