Help with Importing Gear

I would like to buy two Mountain Hardwear Lamina Z Flame (Long) or Lamina 20 (Long) sleeping bags which are not readily available locally, and with the exchange rate where it is, now seems like a good time to import them. The problem is that if I use regular mail I'll probably never receive them due to our defunct/corrupt SA Postal Services; and using a courier service like DHL or UPS will almost double the cost.

So this is a shout out for help from anyone going overseas (USA/UK/Europe), or any international hikers coming to SA, who is in a position to bring two lightweight (1.35kg each) but fairly bulky (about 10 litres each when packed) sleeping bags in their luggage for a reasonable fee or help in kind.

PM me to discuss further.

Thanks
Andrew R

Have you tried purchasing via Amazon? It get's delivered via courier. I've ordered stuff before and never had an issue.

I ordered some stuff from the UK last year through our postal service...there was a 5 or 6 day period when I couldn't track it anymore which was a little hair-raising, but it got here...in fairly good time as well...in fact I ordered the same item using the DHL express super pricey option and it was a huge hack to get it through customs and took a day longer, postal service went quite smoothly.

Also remember to take into account the 10 - 15% import duty...factor that into your price to make sure it is still a good deal.

I suspect (from personal experience) that that is precisely why Andrew is trying to find someone to bring the sleeping bags for him, and not have them posted or couriered.

If you don't manage to find someone, I recommend Postbox Courier, they give you a US address and then forward it onwards to South Africa.

If you order through Amazon.com, you can get the tax refunded (you will be charged New York sales tax on purchase since the address is in New York).

They clear customs for you and your order arrives in like 3 business days airmail. Of course for textiles (sleeping bag) expect to pay a fortune in tax duties, so only go this route if you absolutely have to. Still, for some things it's still the best option if you can't find anyone to mule the goods over the border

I've used them about 4 times. www.postbox-courier.com/

I would speak to RAM Mountaineering or Mountain Mail Order. I know RAM used to import Mountain Hardware but not sure about now. Perhaps you could strike a deal that would work for both of you.

I've burnt my fingers a few times importing gear. The worst was when I imported two dry tops. I ended up paying almost double and even had to get a clearing agent. I did the clearing agent route again with a camera I reviewed which went fairly smoothly, and then the worst was a waterproof digital camera I got sent for free to review for a website. Cape Mail wanted to charge me import tax that was more than the value of the camera! I said no ways. You simply cannot argue with those people so I just left it after a long struggle of trying to be nice and talk some sense. The sponsor was fairly annoyed, but, TIA. Sometimes you simply pay at the post office which is a breeze and there is no nonsense. But Cape Mail or the guys at OR Tambo are a royal pain.

I have heard positive things from people ordering from Amazon but have not tried myself.

Oh, if you find a shop overseas, sometimes they are kind enough to mark the invoice as lower so you pay less tax. Illegal yes, but I have been offered this more than once without even asking. You could always ask... I don't find it that bad when our government "loses" 48 billion Rand to "irregular" spending and sleep comes easily.

Andrew r, any particular reason for wanting to buy the Laminar sleeping bags?

Western mountaineering ultralight sleeping bag might be a bit pricier but only weighs 900g and rates -7deg. Plus its a down bag. I have one and have been cosy at the top of the berg even in winter. REI stocks them.

so now I have bag envy!!!

This bag?
www.backcountry.com/western-mountaineering-ultralite-sleeping-bag-20-degree-down-wes0031#

Only double the price

Impressive specs though.

Especially after that day of bailing to Sani on my most recent GT, I am wary of down in the Berg - in summer anyway. My sleeping bag was in a plastic packet, inside a water-resistant pack with a splash cover on it, and a bit of water still got through (admittedly not much). Hobbit wasn't so lucky, his splash cover failed outright, pack wasn't water resistant - and thus the water easily found its way through the plastic packet he had the bag in.

Sea to Summit e Vent compression sack.. impervious to moisture for the 3 years I've used it to protect my down bag. Otherwise Feathered Freinds make top spec bags you can specify with e Vent outer shells...