Takealot vs Amazon vs Shein: Best Online Store for South Africans 2025

South Africans have more choice than ever when it comes to buying online. Takealot has spent a decade building the country’s largest e-commerce operation. Amazon finally launched a dedicated South African store in 2024 and has been scaling rapidly. Shein, meanwhile, has captured the fast-fashion market with ultra-low prices and constant newness. Each platform is strong in different ways, and each has trade-offs that matter for price, delivery, consumer protection, and returns.

This guide compares the three through a South African lens in 2025: what each does best, where the pitfalls lie, and how to choose the right store for your purchase. Where relevant, we point out concrete, dated changes so you can set the right expectations for cost and speed.

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Quick verdict

• Takealot remains the safest default for everyday shopping thanks to strong Consumer Protection Act alignment, easy returns, wide payment options (including eBucks, Discovery Miles, Payflex, Instant EFT), and a growing click-and-collect network. The main watch-out is that the free-delivery threshold increased to R650 for standard delivery in late 2024. (BusinessTech)
• Amazon.co.za is the fast-rising contender, particularly sharp for electronics and home goods. It offers free delivery on first order and free delivery above R500 on Amazon-fulfilled items, 30-day returns with home pickup/self-drop, WhatsApp tracking, and more than 3,000 pickup points. There is no Prime shipping membership in South Africa (yet). (About Amazon, TechCrunch)
• Shein is still the fashion bargain hunter’s playground, but you must budget for customs duty and VAT and accept longer, more variable cross-border logistics. Clothing typically attracts 45% import duty plus 15% VAT, and SARS has tightened low-value parcel relief since September 2024. Returns are possible within 30 days, but they are not as seamless as local platforms. (Reuters, InsightPlus)

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Selection and categories

Takealot carries a broad local assortment across tech, appliances, books, health and beauty, toys, sports, home and garden, and more. It also hosts a large marketplace of third-party sellers, but the customer experience remains “local first”: pricing in rand, domestic delivery networks, and returns through Takealot’s own systems. Returns for change-of-mind generally sit at 30 days, while defective items are covered for six months. (Takealot Policy Centre)

Amazon.co.za launched with 20+ categories and a mix of international brands and South African sellers. The marketplace is expanding, with Amazon opening a Cape Town walk-in centre to help local sellers onboard, improve catalogues, and use Amazon logistics—an indicator that selection and in-country fulfilment will keep growing. (About Amazon, Reuters)

Shein focuses on fashion and lifestyle (women, men, kids), with accessories, beauty and home add-ons. The breadth is enormous, but most inventory ships cross-border. Shein has experimented with South African pop-up retail to boost brand presence, though core fulfilment remains international. (Reuters)

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Prices and the real cost to your door

Shelf price is only half the story. For a realistic total, include delivery, import taxes (if any), and returns friction.

• Takealot: The free-delivery threshold for standard deliveries rose to R650 in October 2024 (up from R500); orders below the threshold generally incur a standard fee (recent guidance reported R75). This means small basket sizes are a little more expensive to ship than before. (BusinessTech)
• Amazon.co.za: For Amazon-fulfilled items, delivery is free on your first order and free above R500 thereafter—useful for smaller baskets. Because Amazon’s South African store fulfils domestically for many items, there are no import duties for those orders, and delivery speed is competitive. (About Amazon)
• Shein: Headline prices are often the lowest, but import charges narrow or erase the gap. For clothing, budget 45% duty plus 15% VAT on the customs value under South Africa’s tariff regime. SARS also phased out low-value VAT relief from 1 September 2024, reducing “surprise-free” parcels. Factor this into your basket math. (Reuters, InsightPlus)

Bottom line on price: On a pure item-price basis, Shein often wins. After duties and VAT, Takealot and Amazon.co.za can be equal or cheaper for many categories—especially electronics, appliances, books and locally stocked goods—once the fully landed cost is considered.

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Delivery speed, reliability and pickup options

Takealot has the most mature local network, supported by couriers and a countrywide footprint of Takealot Pickup Points. In 2025, it began expanding pickup points inside Pick n Pay supermarkets, scaling from two pilots in 2023 to 30 locations and aiming for 36 by end-2025. This click-and-collect option is particularly handy where estate access or daytime delivery is tricky. (picknpayinvestor.co.za)

Amazon.co.za offers same-day and next-day delivery to many areas, 3,000+ pickup points, and useful WhatsApp status updates. That makes it strong for urgent tech and home items, provided they are Amazon-fulfilled. Third-party seller items can vary more in speed. (About Amazon, Reuters)

Shein delivery times to South Africa vary (think roughly one to two weeks in ordinary periods), and can lengthen around peak seasons or customs backlogs. The shipping page and policy emphasise that times are estimates and may extend due to processing and customs. Plan your outfits with slack time if you choose Shein. (SHEIN)

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Returns, refunds and consumer protection

This is where local versus cross-border really matters.

• Takealot: 30-day change-of-mind returns and six months on defects are straightforward, with courier collection or drop-off at pickup points. Processes are clearly mapped and CPA-friendly. (Takealot Policy Centre, Takealot.com)
• Amazon.co.za: A standard 30-day return window, with home pickup and self-drop options, mirrors Amazon’s global “hassle-free” stance. Because the store is local, you benefit from South African consumer protections and local dispute resolution. (Amazon South Africa, About Amazon)
• Shein: 30-day returns exist on paper, but execution can be less convenient for South Africans. Guidance typically involves confirming the return online and sending back via the post office or courier, and only certain returns are cost-free; subsequent returns often attract a fee. Customs fees paid on import are not refunded. If convenience and recourse are priorities, this is the biggest trade-off. (SHEIN, Briefly)

Practical take: If you value friction-free returns, Takealot and Amazon.co.za are materially easier for South Africans than Shein.

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Payment methods South Africans actually use

• Takealot supports cards (Visa/Mastercard/Amex/Diners), Instant EFT (PayFast, Ozow), Buy Now, Pay Later (Payflex), credit facilities (Mobicred), and popular loyalty currencies like eBucks and Discovery Miles. This flexibility is highly convenient for households managing cashflow. (Takealot.com, ebucks.com)
• Amazon.co.za supports debit/credit/prepaid cards and Instant EFT via Stitch, which helps shoppers who prefer bank-to-bank payments. (Amazon South Africa)
• Shein offers the usual card and wallet options in-app; however, there is no South African loyalty currency integration and no domestic BNPL that settles locally on delivery. If you live by eBucks or Discovery Miles, Shein does not add value there. (Shein’s core payments are defined in its policy pages.)

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Marketplace dynamics and seller quality

A large share of product complaints on any marketplace comes from third-party sellers: catalogue inaccuracies, warranty claims, and variable packing standards. How the platform steps in matters.

• Takealot acts as both retailer and marketplace operator and has well-established processes for returns and refunds, including when third-party sellers are involved.
• Amazon.co.za is leaning into the independent seller model and is actively growing local supply through its Cape Town seller walk-in centre. Expect choice and price competition to improve over 2025 as more local stock moves into Amazon fulfilment. (Reuters)
• Shein sells its own assortment at scale rather than operating a broad third-party marketplace in South Africa. Quality variance exists across suppliers; check reviews and fabric details carefully.

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Sustainability and ethics (briefly)

Fast fashion’s environmental footprint is well documented. Shein’s business model—rapid styles at very low prices—invites concerns around waste, durability, and labour practices. Amazon and Takealot also face sustainability questions linked to packaging and delivery emissions. If sustainability is a deciding factor, preference for fewer, higher-quality pieces from local sellers on Takealot or Amazon may align better with your values, although this depends on the brand, not only the platform.

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Which store is best for which buyer?

1) The value-maximising family shopper

You want reliable delivery, easy returns, loyalty value, and flexible payments.

• Best: Takealot. The combination of eBucks/Discovery Miles, Instant EFT/Payflex, and pickup points inside Pick n Pay is hard to beat for convenience. Plan baskets to clear the R650 free-delivery threshold, or use click-and-collect. (BusinessTech, picknpayinvestor.co.za)
• Runner-up: Amazon.co.za. If your basket is Amazon-fulfilled and above R500, delivery value is excellent—especially with same-/next-day options and 3,000+ pickup points. (About Amazon)

2) The tech and appliances upgrader

You care about authentic brands, fast delivery, and strong after-sales.

• Best: Amazon.co.za for Amazon-fulfilled listings (speed, packaging quality, and 30-day returns). Cross-check prices with Takealot; the best deal swings between the two. (About Amazon)
• Close second: Takealot, especially on locally distributed brands with good in-country warranties and easy repairs.

3) The fashion-first trend chaser

You want this season’s style at the lowest possible price.

• Best: Shein for design variety and list price, but add a realistic customs and VAT buffer and expect slower, variable delivery. Use Shein for statement pieces and basics you can afford to wait for; use local platforms when you need certainty on fit and returns. (Reuters, SHEIN)
• Alternative: Takealot marketplace and Amazon.co.za fashion are improving; returns are vastly easier if the garment does not fit.

4) The “I need it today” shopper

You value speed and control over timing.

• Best: Amazon.co.za for same-/next-day on Amazon-fulfilled items and WhatsApp tracking. Takealot remains very competitive in metros; pickup at Pick n Pay is a lifesaver when home delivery is inconvenient. (About Amazon, picknpayinvestor.co.za)

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Pro tips to keep costs and friction down

1. Check fulfilment type before you buy. On Amazon, “Fulfilled by Amazon” means local stock, faster delivery, and easier returns. On Takealot, items “Sold by Takealot” usually indicate first-party retail. Third-party items can still be great, but service levels may vary. (About Amazon)
2. Bundle orders to clear free-delivery thresholds. Aim for R650 on Takealot and R500 on Amazon-fulfilled baskets. Add essentials to nudge over the line. (BusinessTech, About Amazon)
3. Use the right payment perk. eBucks and Discovery Miles stretch your rands on Takealot; Instant EFT helps if you prefer paying from your bank. (ebucks.com, Takealot.com)
4. Budget for duties on Shein. For clothing, assume 45% duty + 15% VAT on the customs value. If that still beats local prices for the item’s quality, go ahead—just avoid time-critical orders. (Reuters)
5. Returns: box and label immediately. Keep packaging until you are sure the item works or fits. Use pickup points or home collection for local platforms; follow Shein’s portal steps precisely to avoid delays. (Takealot.com, Amazon South Africa)

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Final recommendation

There is no single “best” store for every South African in 2025. There is a best store for each purchase.

• Choose Takealot when you want low-friction local shopping with flexible payments and strong CPA-aligned after-sales. Plan baskets smartly to offset the higher free-shipping threshold. (BusinessTech)
• Choose Amazon.co.za when you want fast delivery and sharp prices on Amazon-fulfilled items, with R500 free-delivery baskets and 30-day returns. Expect selection to keep improving as Amazon courts local sellers. (About Amazon, Reuters)
• Choose Shein when style variety and low list prices trump speed and returns convenience—and only after factoring in duties and VAT. For time-sensitive events, local platforms remain safer. (Reuters)

Used this way, all three can belong in your shopping toolkit—each for the job it does best.

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Sources

• Amazon Staff, “Amazon launches Amazon.co.za in South Africa” (launch details; free delivery threshold; returns; pickup points; WhatsApp tracking; categories), May 6, 2024. (About Amazon)
• Reuters, “Amazon launches online shopping service in South Africa” and “Amazon opens Cape Town walk-in centre as it strives for market share” (launch day specifics; pickup points; seller support; market context), May 7, 2024; Jan 16, 2025. (Reuters)
• Amazon Help, “About Our Returns Policies”, “FREE Delivery in South Africa”, “Accepted Payment Methods”, “EFT Payments Using Stitch” (policy and payments). (Amazon South Africa)
• Takealot Policy Centre & Help Centre, “Returns Policy”, “All about return methods & fees”, “Payments & promos: cards, Instant EFT, Ozow, Payflex” (policy and payments). (Takealot Policy Centre, Takealot.com)
• MyBroadband & BusinessTech, delivery fee changes (Takealot free shipping threshold to R650; standard fee guidance), Oct 7, 2024. (MyBroadband, BusinessTech)
• Takealot Group / Pick n Pay media updates, pickup points inside Pick n Pay (scale to 30; plan for 36 by end-2025). (picknpayinvestor.co.za)
• eBucks & Discovery Miles documentation, spending on Takealot (loyalty tender options). (ebucks.com, Takealot.com)
• SARS & legal commentary, customs/VAT on low-value imports (Category 2 de minimis reforms; VAT relief phase-out from Sept 1, 2024). (South African Revenue Service, InsightPlus)
• Reuters, Mr Price CEO on clothing duties (45% duty + VAT context for clothing imports; levelling the playing field vs Shein/Temu). (Reuters)
• Shein policy pages & SA guidance, “Shipping Info”, “Return Policy”, and local how-to explainer (returns mechanics and timing caveats). (SHEIN, Briefly)

Note: Platform policies and thresholds can change. The figures and policies above were verified as at 7 September 2025.