Cape Cycle Systems (Cape Town) is the Sole Authorized importer of SRAM Components into the South African cycling aftermarket industry.
South Africa has been earmarked by SRAM International as an approved country to receive the SRAM eTap product range.
However due to the nature of the product, SRAM eTap needs to be awarded Certification for use in SA by the relevant South African Government Body.
Such application has been made by SRAM but as yet the Certification has not been awarded.
What this means is that it is currently UNLAWFUL to use SRAM eTap in South Africa irrespective of its source. We will advise when this changes!
Cape Cycle Systems is therefore in NO position to entertain any supply, service or warranty requests or claims that any individual or organization may make to us. Such persons or parties will be directed back to their source of SRAM eTap procurement.
and from what I have read (stand to be corrected) they need a operating unit in their offices to test and then approve so if Cape Cycles don't have this yet then this is where the hiccup may be. Like has been mentioned, they may also want documents of the design etc which SRAM may not like as it opens doors for competitors to spy etc...
I note they say unlawful, not illegal.
It's a 2.4GHz signal, which is in the unlicenced band. The importers will still need to get it approved, even though it's just like any other ant+/bluetooth device out there.
I see the awkward position they sit in, but it's just a bit of paperwork. I stand to be corrected here, but it's just like every new cellphone model needs to get it's approval before an icasa sticker can go on it. so this is the same as getting an iPhone from out the country before it's been released here. definitely not a health issue before anyone goes down that road.