“Sebenza Gurl”: Lady Receives Salon Furniture From China With R80k Customs Fee, SA Digs the Hustle

• A stunner posted the salon furniture from China and shared that she had to pay R80,000 in customs fees
• The woman has a flair for the beauty industry and frequently shares vids about her make-up and other products she uses
• South Africans praised the lady on her newfound venture and wished her the best on her business journey
• Briefly News caught up with acclaimed hairstylist Lazaros Sumbane to find out what salon owners should keep in mind before splurging on expensive furniture

A woman shared her business expansion plans with Mzansi by showing off the furniture she ordered from China and shared that she had to pay a whopping R80,000 in customs fees. South Africans were stunned that she had to pay that much.

The price of success

The furniture was delivered in large boxes on a trailer in a clip posted by TikTokker nakho_mahola. In the rest of the clip, the lady can be seen dancing a bit and smiling from ear to ear. South Africans were curious about how much the shipment cost and some were shocked by the price.

See the video below:

A thing for beauty

The TikTokker loves beauty and her own. Her account is filled with videos of her covering some popular topics found on social media. Some of the content she shares revolves around lifestyle content with one clip showing viewers how she spent her valentines day. Other clips show her displaying the different wigs she sells.

Briefly News spoke to qualified artistic and creative hairstylist Lazaros Sumbane about the key factors salon owners should consider when investing in high-end furniture. He explained that when salon owners look to invest in high-end furniture or equipment from international suppliers, there are several key factors they should carefully weigh:

"Total Landed Cost: The initial price tag is just the tip of the iceberg. Beyond that, you absolutely must factor in all the additional expenses. This includes shipping costs (which can be substantial for bulky items), import duties, taxes (like VAT), customs clearance fees, and any potential handling charges by local logistics companies.

Quality and Durability: While the aesthetics might be appealing online, it's vital to thoroughly research the quality and durability of the furniture. International returns or warranty claims can be a logistical nightmare and very costly. Requesting samples, checking independent reviews, and understanding the materials and construction are essential to ensure the investment will last."

Other posts highlight her passion for beauty. A couple of her clips show her trying on different wigs and different hairstyles. She didn't share the price of the new furniture but did so when one of the commenters asked how much it was. When responding to the question, the commenter said:

"Yho, all the best with the new salon 🥰"

Many more commenters complimented the lady for her achievement.

Read the comments below:

Thabethe🤎🌻 said:

"I know the shipping and customs where not friendly."

boitumelomotsa1 mentioned:

"Hurry up and do unboxing, haibo why China? So curious🥰"

nevertheless_apparel asked:

"Can you please do a video explaining the whole process sisi wam? 🙏🏾🙏🏾"

Kha_nyie3 commented:

"Nakhoza maarn🥰🥰🥰Living in your answered prayers era babes❤️❤️ So proud of you sthandwa ❤️"

kia shared:

"Chomie please show us if you finish unboxing."

Black_Woman01 said:

"Oh Nakho I love witnessing your growth mama🥺"

Shayla mentioned:

"Keep up the good work Ntombi 🙌🏾🥰"

MbaliMndebele asked:

"If customs were R80k, how much did all the furniture cost?"

Steps to import goods from China

As a business owner, if you’re considering importing goods from China to South Africa, it’s important to get familiar with the process. According to DHL, you have to find reliable suppliers to understand tariffs and customs procedures, you’ll need to cover all bases to ensure a smooth import experience. Here are some key things to consider before you dive into importing:

1. Find reliable suppliers: Research suppliers carefully on platforms like Alibaba and check their reviews.
2. Register as an importer: Ensure you're registered with SARS to handle customs and taxes.
3. Understand tariffs: Different products have different tariffs, so know the codes and associated fees.
4. Prepare documentation: Have all invoices and packing lists in order to avoid delays.
5. Clear Customs: Be ready for customs duties and any additional fees when goods arrive.

3 More China purchases by SA people

• Briefly News previously reported that a woman left South Africans stunned after revealing the stock she bought from China at a surprising price.
• Another lady showed her online purchase from China in an unboxing video and her reaction had netizens buzzing.
• A determined SA woman shared how she carved her own path by diving into entrepreneurship, importing goods from China to kickstart her business.

Hilary Sekgota, human interest head of desk at Briefly News, contributed to this article.

Source: Briefly News