Local shoppers, including those in Upington and surrounding communities, have voiced their concerns over the high tax rates imposed by SARS on online purchases. Shein, which entered the South African market in 2020, offered locals the chance to shop internationally at low costs with reasonable import rates. Sebastian Paulus, a frequent user of the online shopping platform, noted that since the app's launch, he has observed noticeable changes such as sales and increased tax tariffs on certain orders. Paulus elaborates further... [Insert Sebastian] Since the introduction of new tax rates by SARS, shoppers have expressed their reluctance to continue making international and online purchases. Antronette Coetzee, a Shein app user, mentioned that the new import rates have deterred her from using the service further. Following a TikTok post where a woman faced a customs clearance fee exceeding R2000 for a parcel, online shoppers have been debating whether to persist with e-shopping.

Journalist: Shanice Jasson
Email: Intern9@riverside.co.za