Shein Shoppers in South Africa are Finally Getting Customs Clarity at Checkout

A new ‘import charge’ feature has landed on Shein, and South African shoppers are here for it

If you’ve ever ordered from Shein in South Africa, you’ll know the anxious wait doesn’t end with checkout — it lingers in your inbox, waiting for a surprise customs invoice from some logistics company you’ve never heard of. But that may finally be a thing of the past.

Shein has quietly rolled out a new feature for South African customers, allowing import duties and VAT to be included in the checkout process. It’s called an “import charge” and, according to the fashion giant, it covers all customs-related fees upfront. No more separate payments. No more unexpected bills at the door.

What is the ‘import charge’?

The fee now shows up clearly during checkout and is bundled together as a single line item. Shein says it includes customs duties, VAT, and any other import costs, all handled on your behalf. The Chinese fast-fashion retailer also reassures users that they don’t need to pay couriers separately anymore.

Previously, duties were settled directly with the courier before delivery — a messy process that left many customers confused or unexpectedly out of pocket.

Now? You’ll know the full cost of your order before you click “pay.”

‘No more stress’: What shoppers are saying

The update has sparked relief — and even a bit of joy — on South African social media.

TikToker @micy_lesego summed it up best:

“No more stressing about how much we are going to be charged at customs!”

Another user, @refilwe_molapisi, said what everyone was thinking:

“Much cheaper. These companies were overcharging us!”

It’s no secret that some logistics providers have tacked on inflated handling or admin fees, leaving customers wondering if the customs process was being used as a profit opportunity. The new import charge cuts those middlemen out.

What will you actually pay?

Shein’s new system gives you a more transparent picture — but it’s still worth understanding what goes into that import charge.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Customs duties on clothing are steep, sitting at around 45% in South Africa.

• VAT adds another 15%, calculated on the combined value of your order and the customs duty.

In short: if your Shein haul costs R1000, don’t be surprised to see a few hundred rand added as an import charge.

That said, influencers and reviewers have pointed out that Shein often under-declares the value of parcels — intentionally or otherwise — which can result in lower duties being applied. YouTuber Stefan van der Merwe is among those who have flagged this practice, suggesting that what you’re charged might still be less than what SARS would technically require.

Why this matters in South Africa

South Africa’s e-commerce scene has exploded in the last few years, with fast-fashion brands like Shein and Temu leading the charge. But customs delays, unclear fees, and dodgy third-party charges have made international shopping a gamble.

For many shoppers — especially younger consumers relying on Shein’s low prices — this update is more than a convenience. It’s about predictability, budgeting, and not getting burned by surprise fees.

This also comes amid growing scrutiny from South African regulators, who are concerned about under-declared imports and the impact of foreign fast-fashion giants on local businesses. By including customs charges at checkout, Shein may be pre-empting future crackdowns and tightening compliance.

The bottom line? Shein’s new checkout system feels like a step forward for transparency and convenience in cross-border shopping. For South African customers, it might just mean fewer headaches — and fewer R300 “surprise” customs bills.

Source: The South African

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