Here in SA, if we can convince them that the item/unit/package is specific to special needs, we aren't meant to pay import duties, but generally that would mean it would in fact arrive, then get sent to customs and excise, and you might wait a few months for them to get around to deciding...
OTOH, in 2006, came back from UK, and walked up to customs counter at airport with KNFB Reader in my hand, and cane in my other hand, and they just told me to get out of the way of others in the queue - pretty much exact words they used - and I could have been a sighted person just carrying a cane I suppose...<smile>
Stay well Jacob Kruger Blind Biker Skype: BlindZA '...fate had broken his body, but not his spirit...'----- Original Message ----- From: "The Elf" <inthaneelf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Sunday, October 17, 2010 8:52 PM Subject: Re: The Cost Of Braille Displays
other things you need check into is the us export rules to your area of Africa, the import rules of that area, shipping, taxes on import sales, etc.this is the reason that I had to turn down a lucrative contract for my little computer company. the purchaser was in another country, there were very strict and binding rules about what could be exported to that country in the US, the import taxes were unearthly, and the shipping cost was bad, I mean really bad, doubling the cost of each computer shipped over the rest of the costs incurred. they wanted over 300 machines, which would have been good for me, the cost for each machine was way out of line, and out of my cost range, which killed it all.so noticing that there is such a disparity is good, but you and who ever else you can get to work with you need to figure out why it is such a disparity?HTH, elf Moderator, Blind Access Help Owner: Alacorn Computer Enterprises Specialists in customized computers and peripherals - own the might and majesty of a Alacorn! www.alacorncomputer.com proprietor, The Grab Bag, for blind computer users and programmers http://grabbag.alacorncomputer.com----- Original Message ----- From: "Kerneels Roos" <kerneels@xxxxxxxxx>To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Friday, October 15, 2010 1:21 AM Subject: The Cost Of Braille DisplaysHi Everyone,I couldn't help but notice a post in which a claim was made that FS can manufacture and ship a 40 cell Braille display for around $400.In South Africa where I live, a new Focus 40 Blue is about the most affordable 40 cell display one can find and it sells for aroundR 27,000which is about $ 3,857 given a exchange rate of R to $ of 7 to 1. What is going on here?But let's double the initial cost to $ 800 just in case, and somewhere, somehow you still have:$ 3,857 - $ 800 = $ 3,057 which is 79.25 % of the final cost. What is going on here? The average price however for a 40 cell display is nothing less than R 31,000 which is $ 4,428and the FS Focus 40 Blue is just a really good value item one (in our market of course) i if you can call it such...What is going on here?The system is broken and the system is not benefitting the majority, therefore the system must change.The system can only change if the end users exert pressure. Notice "the system". It's no individual's company as such. What can we do?? -- Kerneels Roos Cell: +27 (0)82 309 1998 Skype: cornelis.roos "Common Sense" is not "Common Practice" . "The Strawberry Jam Law: The wider you spread it, the thinner it gets..." -- from the Java Specialist Newsletter, from a book on consulting. __________View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind__________View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 5539 (20101017) __________The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com
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