Broken Kindle or general Kindle problems:

Question: I dropped my Kindle / My Kindles screen is broken / My Kindle does not switch on

Answer: Please contact Amazon Support - Amazon is very helpful and should be able to deal with your inquiry speedily. Amazon Support 

Amazon prides themselves on their customer service. If you damaged your Kindle or Kindle screen, whether accidentaly or technical issues, Amazon WILL replace your Kindle if it is under guarantee. On some occations they will accept responsibility outside of the Amazon Kindle warrantee. Read this for a great example: http://www.eddieoneverything.com/articles/my-kindles-screen-is-broken-but-amazon-is-replacing-it-for-free.php

If you're outside of the Kindle warrantee period you have to accept that electronics break and our suggestion would be to buy a new Kindle.

Difficulty placing an order:

Question: Item can’t be shipped to South Africa

Answer: The latest generation Kindles can be shipped to South Africa. Please note that Amazon does not ship to a PO Box address - only a physical address. You will require a credit card.

Step 1. Select the Kindle you wish to order.

Step 3. Select "South Africa" in the drop down box at Amazon.com (Please read info on Kindle in your country)

Step 4. Close this box and add the Kindle to your cart

Step 5. Register an Amazon account or login with your email and password

Step 6. Proceed to checkout and enter your Namibia delivery address. Please note that Amazon only ships to a physical address no PO Box numbers are allowed.

Step 7. Review payment details and process

*** Shipping your order from Amazon:

Shipping takes 2 - 7 days with international courier. When you add products to your cart and proceed to checkout, Amazon will provide you with the total cost for shipping and duties prior to submitting and processing your order.

Exchange rates change daily and South African Rand prices we quote on our site are subject to change prior to notice.

Since we saw the launch of the new Kindle 6” Wi-Fi & 3G models, along with the Kindle DX, I have been inundated with questions such as, where and how do I buy a Kindle in South Africa? Does Amazon ship to South Africa & Namibia? Is the Kindle supported in South Africa & Namibia? Can I buy cheap Kindles in South Africa & Namibia without ordering from Amazon? Do I have to pay import duties on the Kindle? 

Our aim is to provide you with all the information you need to buy the right Kindle with the right specifications, at the best price. So let’s get to the facts and dispel the myths about buying from Amazon, shipping, duties and buying kindles directly from importers in South Africa and Namibia.

Amazon are the only stockist of the all Kindle models and only trade online. The only shop which stocks the Kindle is Staples in the US. No one stocks the Amazon Kindle in South Africa as all reseller would have bought their Kindle stock from Amazon US in the first place. They then add their mark up and shipping costs and it seems to work out more of less double the price as buying Kindle from Amazon in the first place.  

Amazon Shipping Facts:

The Kindle is a product of Amazon and they are the sole wholesale distributors of the Kindle Wi-Fi, Kindle Wi-Fi+3G and the Kindle DX

Amazon in the US ships the Kindle directly to your door in South Africa. The Kindle is for sale to customers in over 100 countries worldwide

You need to have a physical address to receive your Kindle as Amazon does not ship to a PO Box address. Use your office or home address

When you order your Kindle, you’ll also receive a micro-USB cable to charge your Kindle via your PC’s USB port

Amazon will gladly send you a replacement Kindle if anything goes wrong with the delivery of your product.

Priority International Courier services average 2-7 days for the delivery of your Kindle to South Africa & Namibia

Kindle includes a 1-year limited warranty. 

Import Duties:

Amazon will add a refundable, import fee deposit, which is typically $29.11 on a $189.00 Kindle Wi-Fi + 3G

Amazon will designate a carrier ("Designated Carrier") to act as your agent with the relevant customs and tax authorities in the destination country, to clear your merchandise, process and remit your actual Import Fees for such item

In the event that the Import Fees Deposit exceeds the Actual Import Fees, Amazon Export or Merchant (as applicable) will refund the difference to you.

 “Ad valorem” tax dictates that the Kindle is classed as an Information Technology product and should be exempt from tax. Imported goods has a price threshold and currently the Kindle falls below threshold 

Buying from Importers in South Africa

Grey importers are companies/people who would buy Kindles from Amazon and then sell it on to you. They are in fact the middleman.

They cannot compete with Amazon on price because they pay exactly the same as what you would, ordering directly from Amazon

The only area where you could potentially save is on shipping cost and time as the product is already in South Africa & Namibia.

If saving money is important to you, do not consider buying a Kindle from anyone other than Amazon. 

How to choose between the Kindle Wi-Fi and Kindle 3G + Wi-Fi

Kindle Wi-Fi a great choice if you already have a high-speed internet connection and wireless router set up in your home and does not need the added convenience of a 3G connection. 3G enables you to download books anytime, anywhere, while on the go. If you do not have Wi-Fi set up in your home, Kindle 3G may be a better option. 

Kindle 3G (Free 3G + Wi-Fi) is the easiest option because there is no wireless setup—you are ready to shop, purchase, and read right out of the box. Built-in Free 3G connectivity uses the same wireless signals that cell phones use, but there are no monthly fees or commitments—Amazon pays for Kindle’s 3G wireless connectivity. The added convenience of 3G enables you to download books anytime, anywhere, while on the go—without having to find a Wi-Fi hotspot connection. With wireless coverage in over 100 countries and territories, Kindle 3G is a great option for travelers. For South African customers and those from Namibia, there are also no additional charges for wireless delivery in or outside your home country. Wireless download times can vary based on 3G or EDGE/GPRS coverage, signal strength and file size. 

Buying Kindle Books in South Africa:

There is growing selection of eBooks, magazines and newspapers to choose from in South Africa & Namibia.
There are currently 500,000 English-language books to choose from; plus U.S. and international newspapers and magazines are available for your country.

Publishers give Amazon eBook rights on a country by country basis, available titles for South Africa will vary from our current U.S selection.
Access Wikipedia via Whispernet on the experimental web browser. Access other websites like Google via a Wi-Fi connection. Blogs can also be downloaded via a Wi-Fi connection. 

Wi-Fi & Connection Problems

The kindle has built in wireless which would connect to any wireless network such as at school, work, coffee shop, etc. No monthly wireless bills, data plans, or commitments. Amazon pays for Kindle's wireless connectivity so you won't see a wireless bill. There is no wireless setup—you are ready to shop, purchase and read right out of the box.

If you don’t have wireless at home, I would definitely recommend getting the Kindle Wi-Fi 3G as  

3G coverage is available throughout South Africa, however if you live in a remote area, please check if Vodacom, MTN, etc operates in the area. The 3G network is the same as the cell phone operators use to make calls.

These 2 links contains all of the information you need to connect and download books in South Africa via Amazon’s wispersinc software.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200375890#whispintl

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?ie=UTF8&nodeId=200387080

Kindle South Africa provides a resource for buying a Kindle in Namibia and South Africa and is a bridge between you and Amazon. Our aim is to provide you with all the information you need to buy the right Kindle with the right specifications, at the best price.