Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
|
Post by Dracul on Jul 19, 2014 21:24:09 GMT -5
I don't know where else to turn.
I've sold something on ebay to someone living in France. He sends me a message saying :
Hello there I have my purchase but I do not understand the import of 25.68 usd fee? please remove them. SHIP normal package without customs declaration or just pants 20 usd best regards
------------------------------------------------- I'm guessing he wants me to send it without "Customs Declaration"? Is that something I can even do or have any control of? The item in question is some Marine Corps uniform items, so its not like I'm trying to send something even remotely weapon related.
I have a few days for this. I replied to him that I will look into doing so, but I came across nothing.
If anyone has any experience with this and would help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
|
|
stuka
Sergeant
The one and only
Posts: 1,205
|
Post by stuka on Jul 19, 2014 22:55:31 GMT -5
I don't know much about shipping internationally but if they see the item and there is no value declared or less then proper value declared, the item can be stopped or something like that
|
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Jul 20, 2014 0:17:44 GMT -5
It is impossible to ship anything from the US to another country WITHOUT a customs declaration stating what it is, and placing a value on it. Buyers asking you to falsefy a value less than the selling price are asking you to cooperate with them to commit fraud. His government is charging him a tariff (essentially a tax) for him to import the item. without paying it he won't receive the item. Perhaps he is complaining about the shipping cost? If so tell the Frenchmen C'est La Vie! Such is life! Overseas shipping is expensive.
If you have shipped the item and he is complaining now about the fee, You can decide if you want to eat the cost. If he has paid you with PAYPAL Odds are, he'll submit a claim and they'll freeze your funds until it is settled. Hint. (The buyer always wins on these) PAYPAL is totally biased against the seller (even though you eat their transaction fee). this buyer is either not in touch with reality or is an ass and is raping you. ( And people wonder why most sellers refuse to ship overseas!) I have had wonderful buyers all over the world and 98% of them are fine but the 2% who are jerks ruin things for the others.
If this fellow is going to be upset it should be with himself for not anticipating the potential for a tariff or for France for levying it. I feel for you as your choices are not good ones. Good luck with the situation and hopefully the buyer really wants the items. A tariff that high on used clothing items seems bizarre but i have heard of worse. Some of these countries are quite inconsistent letting many items through with no tariff while others get soaked. It is really a crap shoot. If the $26.00 is shipping that is frankly quite good for a bundle of clothing.
|
|
Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
|
Post by Dracul on Jul 20, 2014 0:33:01 GMT -5
I was thinking that, but needed confirmation. Though it didn't come across me that he was trying to break the law (my country or his or hers), but pretty much going to let the person know that I can't ship without customs or just ship part of it. Not going to get involved with that crap. Last thing I need.
Thank you!
EDIT: I didn't ship the item yet, I was trying to look into it before shipping item. But knowing what I know now, its a big red flag.
|
|
|
Post by LϟϟAH1944 on Jul 20, 2014 1:56:23 GMT -5
OK, I ship overseas all the time. They have customs fees, which can be quite a bit. You'll NEED to fill out a customs slip when you ship it. However, with items worth $20 or less, they wont need to pay any fee. So, where it says "value" on the paper, put $20.
|
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Jul 20, 2014 10:30:06 GMT -5
With used clothing that should be quite credible but they are still going to be expensive to ship. A good way to estimate shipping costs for your buyers are the US Post standard shipping boxes which come in assorted sizes. They will tell you what the cost is internationally for each sized box. Weight is not factored which means heavy items are typically a good deal and light weight items more expensive then they typically would have. The boxes themselves can be picked up at the Post Office for free so you can predetermine what size you need and can give an accurate quote without a lot of running around.
Its simple, the cost is the cost. If the buyer doesn't want to pay it then they shouldn't bid on the item. Some Ebay sellers rip people off on shipping by over charging and perhaps that is what he thinks you are doing. I know with my rifle sales there were occassions when I might have come out slightly ahead on shipping but usually I was upside down on the shipping quote.
For international US Post is slow but far far less expensive than Fed Ex, UPS or other private shippers. Still big big money.
|
|
Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
|
Post by Dracul on Jul 20, 2014 13:17:14 GMT -5
Either way though, I'm not going to lie to any country's customs system.
|
|
|
Post by ssgjoe on Jul 20, 2014 15:25:24 GMT -5
An honorable man. No problems here.
Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
|
|