The BestDealz importing guides
Practical, deeply-researched guides for South African importers. Written by our sourcing, customs and logistics experts — the same team that handles every BestDealz Class B order.
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The three guides every SA importer should read first.
All guides
Filtered by topic. Click any card to read in full.
Class A vs B vs C: Choosing the right sourcing model for your SA business
A practical guide to BestDealz's tri-class sourcing model — and how to pick the one that matches your speed, price and risk tolerance.
Incoterms decoded: FOB, CIF, DDP — what they actually mean for SA importers
A no-nonsense breakdown of the 3 Incoterms that matter for South African buyers — and why BestDealz Class B is essentially DDP-included.
How customs duty and VAT actually work when you import to South Africa
The full landed cost formula every importer needs to know — plus a worked example with real HS codes and SARS rates.
Quality inspection in China: How to verify your order before it ships
Pre-shipment inspection, during-production inspection, container loading — the 3 inspection types every SA importer needs to understand.
Sea freight vs air freight: Choosing the right shipping mode for your order
Cost per kg, lead time, break-even points and which mode wins for which product. Plus how to think about LCL vs FCL containers.
Negotiating MOQ: How to lower the minimum order quantity (without losing the deal)
Five tactics SA buyers use to negotiate MOQ down — from sample orders to OEM commitment letters.
TT, L/C, escrow: Understanding international payment terms
The 4 ways you can pay an overseas supplier — and which one BestDealz Trade Assurance is built on.
Lead time math: How to predict when your order will actually arrive
A formula and worked example so you can promise customers a realistic delivery date — not just optimism.
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Our sourcing team gives free landed-cost analysis and product matching for any SA importer. RFQ replies in 24 hours.