jeanne
Junior Member
Posts: 95
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Post by jeanne on May 7, 2009 2:22:25 GMT
Okay lets simplify my wordy thread: Is there any way we can contribute to the cost of taxes on the sent clothing, which the SA ladies are currently paying for?
Would we be able to pay the site here and somehow have someone over there then pickup the cash?
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kyla
Junior Member
Posts: 54
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Post by kyla on May 7, 2009 13:41:32 GMT
Having a page for donations that can be made by paypal or credit card sounds like something that could happen, and it would be great if Sandy could make a list of the things like '$5 covers the tax on this small package, $7 covers the tax on three hats, $10 covers the tax on six vests," so people know exactly what they are clearing to get into the country.
It would be neat if there could be a list that is always changing, like "there's these three packages, one is all squares and one hat $3, one is three hats and two squares for $5.50 and one is two vests and a teddy bear for $6.75" and then people could pick which package they wanted to cover, and it could be removed from the list. This is a huge lot of updating all the time, but it may encourage more people to donate because they know exactly what the money is going to.
When we set up our adorable little donation jar at the knitting relay, it was clearly labeled as 'donations to help pay for postage' and that's exactly where it went. People feel a lot better about paying out for something if they know its not going to administration.
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andrea
Junior Member
Posts: 53
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Post by andrea on May 7, 2009 14:07:59 GMT
I was under the impression that the only reason the SA ladies were paying for tax was because there were some registered packages and customs opened them.
This came from one of the Square Circle ezines: "The squares are arriving very safely, in envelopes packets and boxes. If they are registered they are routed via customs and Ronda has to pay duty on them. Please do not register your parcels, just put on the outside, FOR CHARITY, NO COMMERCIAL VALUE. Thank you."
Is there a different tax that Sandy isn't mentioning?
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jeanne
Junior Member
Posts: 95
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Post by jeanne on May 8, 2009 14:12:13 GMT
So far as I know it is the kindly sent clothing items that are being taxed. So far as itemizing parcels, I don't want you Mods to have more work. I just thought if there was some way to help pay the tax on those items, which are much needed and appreciated I am sure, then we could help out from here. I suppose one could itemize what is needed, as you suggest Kyla, but that's a ton of work and detail and takes away from time spent knitting and crocheting. Could we not just have a general "Help Pay the Tax on Clothing" fund? Or a short post saying "If you send x no. of items, this is the usual tax paid in SA, so please include $--- or contribute the same to the online tax fund." I just thought something like that. Please Mods don't take on anymore work or you guys are going to burn out. I think the simpler the better. Truly. I am happy to send the odd amount over in a parcel but ONLY if it's safe from pilferage. I'd prefer to donate online. Could the church over there set up something so perhaps their minister or priest could pick up the funds for the ladies? Just a thought. I truly don't want to cause problems only suggest solutions...nice SIMPLE ones. Like me, lolol.
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Post by Sandy on May 10, 2009 2:28:27 GMT
Hello you lovely concerned ladies and thank you for starting this conversation.
In an email from Ronda yesterday, she suggested that duty is a little ad hoc as far as the South African postal system goes. One recent parcel containing 4 squares, and no value appended to, it attracted duty. Certainly the moment there is a value on it, customs is payable. We received the most beautiful blanket with a US$50 value to it and that cost about US$30 in duty, which is why we do not advocate sending whole blankets.
However that aside, we have accepted that a certain amount of duty is payable and, at this point, it is not too onerous. Ronda is going to have a conversation with the P.O. people to see if they can be a little more prescriptive as to what does and does not attract duty.
In the meantime, we have been discussing the whys and wherefores of turning Soweto Comfort Club into a registered charity. That way, we can legitimately fund raise, as a not for profit is accountable to its donors (which fits in with what you were saying Kyla, that people need to know how there donated money is spent).
We need to ensure this work is sustainable in order to be able to continue with this amazing project. A recent photograph Ronda sent of piles and piles of blankets proves the incredible outcomes of everyone's endeavours.
In addition, there are many organisations and corporations that we can approach who offer funds to registered charitable organisations. If we are successful in our approaches to them, then many of these expenses will be met.
I can put a paypal link on the site as many have advised me to do. But I wanted only to do that when I knew the proper accounting procedures for reporting what had been donated, and how it had been spent, were in place.
Anyway, I would value your feedback on this line of discussion.
Sandy
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jeanne
Junior Member
Posts: 95
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Post by jeanne on May 10, 2009 14:24:38 GMT
Sandy that is a great idea for someone to register the Soweto Ladies as a charity so then corporate entities can get involved and help. Lovely idea! As clothing items attract customs duties, I am thinking of sending over the "crochet square" tops as two 10 inch squares, sending enough yarn to sew them up the sides and across the shoulders in Africa, thereby dodging that one! I just tuck a note in the parcel telling them what to do. Brain IS working this morning after all, lol. (definitely don't worry about the PayPal link until everything is set up....just put your feet up, have a cuppa and crochet a square)
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Post by Sandy on May 13, 2009 9:33:57 GMT
Jeanne, you are such a mum, bless you. I will put my feet up and have a cuppa too!
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