posted on October 24, 2002 04:00:30 PM
I've sold quite a few items internationally over the last year, mainly to Canada and Japan. Yesterday I received payment from a customer, and they asked me to mark the item as 'GIFT' on the outside.
Last week I had come across a seller on ebay that had specifically written in their TOS 'do not ask us to mark international packages as gifts'. I'm assuming this seller got into some trouble for doing so, but never gave it any more thought until this request from my buyer.
I did not mark the package as a gift after seeing the seller that refused, and the bidder is not real happy with me, claiming they may have to pay customs taxes, etc. on this package. My question - can anyone either clear the fog on this whole issue, or direct me to a web site that explains internations customs for me? I can't believe I haven't heard this from other buyers. My items are always mailed in bubble mailers and generally weight less than 1 oz. if that matters. I'm also concerned about asking my postal clerk, who knows what I am shipping, to mark something as a gift if it's something that could cause some problems.
posted on October 24, 2002 04:22:56 PM
As a Canadian buyer, I have had to pay customs on occasion, and because our customs is quite "attentive" to incoming packages, it is important to me that the customs slip is filled out correctly.
Don't mark it as a gift unless it is. Though I have never heard of anyone getting in trouble for this, do you really want to lie for your buyer?
When marking the value of the package, use the winning bid price, not including shipping. Do not estimate a retail value! While this may be desired for insurance purposes, if you value the item at higher than it cost the bidder, they may have to pay customs and taxes on that amount. Recently, I won an auction for $12.00 plus shipping. The shipper insured and valued the customs slip at $50, which was closer to the item's actual value. I was charged 14.5% tax (GST & PST) plus a $5.00 'handling' fee - a total of $16. I am appealing the charges with Canada Customs, but I have no idea whether I'll be successful in that appeal - of if it is approved I'll get that $5.00 handling back. The sad part is, if the shipper had marked the actual value on the package ($12, the amount I paid for the item), it would have been under $20 and thus customs would not have been an issue. (From what I've heard, though not officially, any amount under $20 will not be charged customs.)
I didn't flame the shipper for her mistake - she still received my positive feedback, along with a polite email telling her of her mistake - she apologized, and commented that another Canadian buyer that week had also had problems with customs, and now she knew why.
And from now on, I include with my payment a little instruction note on filling out customs slips.
posted on October 24, 2002 04:23:53 PM
You might want to check ~ my post office claims that i do not have to fill out the customs form unless over a certain weight ~ maybe 2 lbs but again, you need to check on the weight. So if you don't have to fill one out, it won't go through customs is my understanding
posted on October 24, 2002 04:53:54 PM
Thanks for your comments everyone. kengraham, if you don't mind my asking, how much did your package weigh? My uneducated guess is customs is tied into the package weight/size, which should eliminate a 1 oz. bubble mailer.
The fact that I'm not asked by my postal clerks what I'm shipping tells me there is nothing to be concerned about. The bidder who brought this up claims they got zinged for an extra $21 for some photos they received - but again I'm sure they were packaged much differently too.
posted on October 24, 2002 06:19:09 PM
Any false or misleading statements on a custom declaration can lead to high fines and imprisonment.
FURTHER
One would have no leg to stand on if the buyer did a charge back to their c/c or paypal acc.
posted on October 24, 2002 06:37:47 PM
I sent a package to Canada that was under a pound and I did have to fill out a customs form. I don't have any idea if I would lie on a customs form if anything would happen but I am not going to find out. An easy way to show the value of your package is to include ebays EOA form with your item. I do that all the time.
posted on October 24, 2002 07:33:43 PM
I use to ship Internationally but the last NPB's were from above the USA. I would not send as a gift, it always takes a customs form and I included a copy of the eBaY auction inside, incase customs decided to open the package to check the value etc. I either do it right or don't do it at all.
posted on October 24, 2002 07:42:42 PM
According to the International Postal Rates book let publication 51, a customs form is not required for non-dutiable letter-post items under 16 ounces.
I believe most printed matter (books etc) are non-dutiable in most countries. What else, I don't know.
posted on October 24, 2002 08:11:24 PM
Letter post items less than 16 oz do not require a customs form.
(Less than 16 ounces, Mail matter that is not potentially dutiable.)
posted on October 24, 2002 10:03:04 PM
You will only have this problem with Canadian buyers. They think they are allowed special treatment just because they are Canadian. NEVER EVER MARK A PACKAGE AS A GIFT UNLESS IT IS. Going to jail isn't worth the hassle the Canadian bidders will put you through. I personally do sell to Canadians, but I also make it very clear the package will be labeled merchandise.
posted on October 25, 2002 06:41:34 AM
the canadian tax system is driving its citizens to buy from us more.
use your own judgment ,it is not in your charter to help them lie to their own govt.
posted on October 25, 2002 10:00:09 AM
ive asked this before but never got a response. i dont sell internationally so i have no clue but i always wondered how they would even know if that widget was a gift or not?
posted on October 25, 2002 02:55:43 PM
I recently sent a slip to Singapore and he requested to put gift/clothing on custom form. I did but didn't realize I shouldn't. Then I got a email from him that I sent the wrong slip and then I asked the post lady and she told me that customs want to know what's in the package. And I shouldn't do that. Well after I sent the wrong item and then had to cover cost I decided not to send international again.
posted on October 26, 2002 06:47:46 AM
It also helps a lot of international buyers to save on Customs charges if you put USED on the package and form. That is if it is a used an item. A 1960's widget may be vintage to some, but it is still used and they do not have to pay as much. This was pointed out to me by one of my Canadian friends.
