The Truth About SA Prices in NZ: What That Can of Frisco Really Costs
I was shocked too… until I saw the numbers myself.
"How can it be R149.99 at Pick n Pay and $19.99 here in New Zealand?!"
We’ve all had that moment of sticker shock. And if you’re anything like us, your brain instantly does the maths, runs the exchange rate, and goes, “Eish, that markup!”
But here’s the thing…
It’s not a markup. It’s a mission.
And your Frisco doesn’t arrive in Auckland by magic.
🛫 From Pretoria to Your Pantry
That R149.99 can of Frisco goes on quite the journey:
- ✅ We buy it in SA (with their markup)
- 🚚 It travels to Durban
- 🚢 It’s loaded into a container, bound for Auckland
- 🧾 It pays 5-10% import duty, customs fees, and MPI inspections, Bio Security
- 🏢 It enters a local warehouse (rent, staff, power — the works)
- 📦 It gets picked, packed, and delivered — sometimes for free
By the time it gets here, your Frisco has done more international travel than most Kiwis in the last two years.
💸 So What Does It All Add Up To?
| 🔍 Real Cost Breakdown: Frisco Instant Coffee (750g) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Breakdown Stage | Cost (NZD) | Notes |
| Pick n Pay Price in SA (Converted) | $15.78 | Based on R149.99 (based on prices on 9 May 2025) @ 9.5 exchange rate |
| Import Duty (5%) | $0.79 | 5% of declared value at customs |
| International Freight (est.) | $2.50 | Shared container shipping costs per item (Durban to Auckland) |
| Local Port & Customs Fees | $0.70 | Port handling, MPI checks, border charges, Bio Security |
| Warehouse Handling & Storage | $0.90 | Includes labour, space, security, internet, forklifts |
| NZ Domestic Courier Allocation | $1.20 | Average shipping contribution built into pricing |
| Packaging + Admin | $0.50 | Packaging materials + staff/admin time |
| Total Landed Cost (rounded) | $22.37 | Before margin or overhead recovery |
| Something From Home Price | $19.99 🔥 | Yes… you’re paying less than it actually costs! 🥳 |
✅ You’re Not Being Ripped Off. You’re Being Looked After.
This is why we don’t just slap a price on a product and call it a day.
We care about what it means for our customers to afford a taste of home. We work hard to keep prices as fair as possible — and in some cases, we absorb the difference, because community and connection matter more than margin.
And remember:
- 🚚 Free Auckland shipping over $120
- 📦 Over 1,400 real South African products in stock
- 📅 Proper best-before dates, clearly listed
- 🙌 No “South African-style” substitutes — only the real deal
📣 Final Word?
Next time someone says “I’ll just bring it from SA,”
Send them this post. Or just send them to us.
We’ve got the coffee, the rusks, and the know-how to keep them smiling — and their luggage 2kg lighter.
