Hello fellow vapers,
This is my first post here on this forum and I was looking for some advice from local South African's on opening up a vape shop here in my area. I recently moved back to South Africa from Colorado, U.S.A. to help a startup company and even in the midst of that I still have lots of free time available.
I've noticed in my area (Johannesburg) how well the local vape shops do and how few vape shops are around. Many of the shops are operated directly out of someones house and the independent vape shops that exist in my area don't offer a large variety of products nor do they create an enjoyable atmosphere in the store. They either sell bongs, tobacco, etc. out of the store, or don't offer the right means of customer service with the ability to sample products, offer loyalty programs, etc. There isn't any "specialty" vape shops within 50km of myself that has a vape lounge, large variety of products, etc. and that's what I want to create. The biggest draw backs of owning a vape shop in the states is the amount of local competition and the online retailers, however in South Africa the "hand-to-hand" retail model still flourishes due to unreliable internet vendors and couriers, and in my location there is no real competition. I want to bring the "American style" shop to SA basically.
I am both dual citizen of South Africa and the United States and I have been contacting wholesalers in the United States regarding hardware and juices. From my current research, before taxes and import duties I'll be purchasing these products between 30-45% below recommended retail value.
My next big questions are regarding international shipping and regulations regarding products containing nicotine. Does anyone know the laws regarding the import and sale of nicotine products? Is it regarded the same as a tobacco product and do you need a particular license for the sale of something like that? Also, I have no clear projection on import fee's charged. From what I've researched, international imports for the hardware seems to be a 14% tax on the items, and the same applies for the e-liquid (provided its in a blend and not 100% nicotine), but I may be wrong? But that just scratches the surface on things that need to be answered. ANY and ALL comments, suggestions and criticisms wanted, so please let me know if you believe this could be a viable idea?
This is my first post here on this forum and I was looking for some advice from local South African's on opening up a vape shop here in my area. I recently moved back to South Africa from Colorado, U.S.A. to help a startup company and even in the midst of that I still have lots of free time available.
I've noticed in my area (Johannesburg) how well the local vape shops do and how few vape shops are around. Many of the shops are operated directly out of someones house and the independent vape shops that exist in my area don't offer a large variety of products nor do they create an enjoyable atmosphere in the store. They either sell bongs, tobacco, etc. out of the store, or don't offer the right means of customer service with the ability to sample products, offer loyalty programs, etc. There isn't any "specialty" vape shops within 50km of myself that has a vape lounge, large variety of products, etc. and that's what I want to create. The biggest draw backs of owning a vape shop in the states is the amount of local competition and the online retailers, however in South Africa the "hand-to-hand" retail model still flourishes due to unreliable internet vendors and couriers, and in my location there is no real competition. I want to bring the "American style" shop to SA basically.
I am both dual citizen of South Africa and the United States and I have been contacting wholesalers in the United States regarding hardware and juices. From my current research, before taxes and import duties I'll be purchasing these products between 30-45% below recommended retail value.
My next big questions are regarding international shipping and regulations regarding products containing nicotine. Does anyone know the laws regarding the import and sale of nicotine products? Is it regarded the same as a tobacco product and do you need a particular license for the sale of something like that? Also, I have no clear projection on import fee's charged. From what I've researched, international imports for the hardware seems to be a 14% tax on the items, and the same applies for the e-liquid (provided its in a blend and not 100% nicotine), but I may be wrong? But that just scratches the surface on things that need to be answered. ANY and ALL comments, suggestions and criticisms wanted, so please let me know if you believe this could be a viable idea?
