The V&A Waterfront has been named South Africa's best shopping centre, but what the city bowl offers more than anywhere else is 'unique shopping'. From Greenmarket Square to Long Street, from the old-established speciality stores to the smaller centres in the city bowl suburbs. We were suprised when told by the wife of GM's CEO for Europe that she always recommended Heritage Square to all her foreign guests. There is something for everyone!
Art
If you're looking for something to enjoy forever and share with your friends, South African art offers an exciting vibrancy. Cape Gallery Everard Read
Electronic & photographic
The American Express Holiday Costs Index listed photographic film as one of their items where South Africa was the cheapest among the 13 countries surveyed. How do other photographic and electronic goods compare? There was a time a few years ago when goods in SA were far cheaper than Europe especially ... we'll find out more.
Wine
What better way of remembering your trip to the Cape by finding a few cases of Cape wine awaiting you to enjoy long after your holiday?
Vaughan Johnson's Wine Shop
Value Added Tax
South African VAT is 14% – far less than most European countries. Providing you keep all receipts, foreign travellers can reclaim the VAT spent before leaving SA.
Whether you pay duties, etc, when you get home depends largely on the items bought, whether you used them while in SA, and whether you declare them!
Trade not Aid
What you take home can make an impact on the lives of the less priveleged. Monkeybiz Streetwires
What are you buying?
Something worth bearing in mind is the fact that, unlike some countries, the products sold are not "grey" goods – ripoffs, old stock, etc, and most will carry international warranties.
SA Wine In World Terms
When it comes to New World wines, Australia holds the lion's share with about 60% of the international market. Chile follows with a 20% market share and then South Africa with 2,6%.
