On 2023/02/01 at 12:30 PM, jeddles said:

I'd be keen to setup a group order from China if the economics make sense

Not too scared about making up my own batteries from prismatic cells with a decent BMS.

 

Something about batteries just makes me want to hoard kWh like its gold

I have been thinking about order some batteries for a while. I can agree a lot with @Raj35 regarding having everything go through aliexpress or alibaba as you are safer. If there are others here keen on a group order maybe we can do something together. I need to upgrade my setup at some point.

I've been having brief discussions with some suppliers on Alibaba, you will need to make quite a big order for it to become worthwhile.

There is also very little in the way of DDP from China to SA, you will need to organize your own customs/shipping from Durban harbor.

18 hours ago, jeddles said:

I've been having brief discussions with some suppliers on Alibaba, you will need to make quite a big order for it to become worthwhile.

There is also very little in the way of DDP from China to SA, you will need to organize your own customs/shipping from Durban harbor.

Are you saying an order from Ali-Express no matter what size will not materialize and that it is a scam? All batteries get shipped via Durban Harbour?

7 hours ago, flamegrilled said:

Are you saying an order from Ali-Express no matter what size will not materialize and that it is a scam? All batteries get shipped via Durban Harbour?

I don't think that's even remotely close to what I said

But yes, the majority of batteries will end up at Durban harbour. Supplier's I spoke to were not able to organize DDP to SA - you're mileage may vary

Freight is charged min. per cubic meter, ~ 20 cells as a minimum order quantity. If you can't get DDP you need to organize customs and transport from Durban

On 2023/02/05 at 5:30 PM, jeddles said:

I don't think that's even remotely close to what I said

But yes, the majority of batteries will end up at Durban harbour. Supplier's I spoke to were not able to organize DDP to SA - you're mileage may vary

Freight is charged min. per cubic meter, ~ 20 cells as a minimum order quantity. If you can't get DDP you need to organize customs and transport from Durban

Doing customs yourself is probably not that crazy.  Half the time I need to correct the customs declarations made by couriers anyway.  There is a handy schedule from SARS, so I assume it is just about matching the stuff and filling out the form.

What was the cost to have it shipped by sea?

I've already DIYed a battery a long time ago now, it seems to hold up pretty well.  Hasn't really aged tbh.  I was looking at the options should I need to replace it or build another for family members.  But for my family we just opted to buy a pre-built unit.

You guys should save the trouble and check with @DeonBez he gave me a great deal on 16 cells and a Seplos Mason DIY box. Check if he has available. 

On 2023/02/01 at 6:36 PM, cburza said:

@jeddles I have been thinking about the same thing. Most likely have to run it through a company with an importers code. Doing it personally makes it a bit difficult. I might be able to help with this. Probably want to get payments through credit card on a website as this gives some protection to buyers in case of fraud. EFTs gives you no protection and the bank won't help you if you paid and no goods was delivered.

Hi contact me for Life Po4 battery cells, I'm in China Shenzen and working for Apexium.  Contact me on 0814777819 (whatsapp) for any enquires. Thank you 

4 hours ago, JohnathanApexium said:

Hi contact me for Life Po4 battery cells, I'm in China Shenzen and working for Apexium.  Contact me on 0814777819 (whatsapp) for any enquires. Thank you 

Best you address your company's commitment to user @Pho3niX90 then.
Read this thread and realise the frustration.