OK, I need ebay help for an int'l buyer..

[remyandhollandsmommy]

I just had a buyer pay with paypal and in the note section they asked me to mark the item as a gift and place the value between 10-15 dollars (item was 17.50). Besides the fact that my PO "knows" me and that I sell on ebay, I do not feel comfortable lying. I haven't had anyone ask me to do this before so how do I respond? Anyone want to help me compose an email to the buyer LOL? Also should I add something to my TOS stating I won't do this for future auctions?

 

[imsayin]

I've had this request before, and I don't do it. I'm not sure if there are legal ramifications, but I am just not comfortable lying. Intl buyers know their customs laws, and they should expect to pay accordingly (or email you ahead of time & ask if you will lie for them). I would send them a polite email indicating that you will fill the customs form out per the auction transaction and that you will be shipping on "x" date. They can email you back if they have a problem. You could add a disclaimer for the future if you want (I don't - just deal with them as they come).

 

[maja36]

We live in Canada and items we purchase on ebay we always ask if the seller will mark gift on it so that there is no chance to pay duty. We always do the same when sending items to the states which we do all the time. It is no big deal, and just saves additional charges that may be incurred through customs. It is not a big deal if this item is of small value.

A lady just shipped me 2 bathing suits for my daughter and marked gift on it, even though I didn't ask.

It is not a big deal, and the post office won't worry about you marking it as such, they have lots of customers.

 

[SnowWhite]

Here in Canada we only have the option to mark it as a gift or sample. So I always mark it as a gift. In the USA your shipping tags are a bit different but I have asked USA Ebayer's to do this for me and never had a problem. The only real problems is when an item is shipped UPS, or other courier service, or is shipped by express shipping with USPS. Then the buyer could end up paying duty on the purchase. This happened to me when I bought my digital camera. You just have to work it out with your buyer, they should have asked first however before bidding as that is what I always do. This way I can avoid putting a seller in this situation after the deal is done.

 

[robinb]

I sell books on Amazon and on eBay. I always fill out the Customs Form correctly. I don't think you need to have a disclaimer in your TOS that you follow international shipping laws .

 

[alisonbestford]

I'm in the UK and have shipped clothes and books to the US for E Bay buyers..
I too always tick the gift box as we're not talking too much in the way of £s / $s.
I've also had sellers send DD (6) swimwear etc with the 'gift' box ticked.
If it was something worth a lot of money I guess I'd feel differently.
Alison

 

[DMRick]

I never lie on the form..I figure once I mark myself as a liar, how can I run an honest business? The form we fill out here in the US is a legal document that we sign saying ,
"I, the undersigned, whose name and address are given on the item, certify that the particulars given in this declaration are correct and that this item does not contain any dangerous article or aricles prohibited by legislation or by postal cusoms regulations". On the back, it states "your signature and the date confirm your liability for the item".

There are two places to sign. It says on it, "may be openened officially". Why would I want to lie, and risk having myself by put on a watch list (not that I want to lie in any case)? I do put just the bid item, and not the shipping. Bidders in other countries are well aware of the costs before bidding, and should not ask me to lie on a federal form. I'd rather they not bid from me, rather than ask me to lie. The amount of the item has nothing to do with it (I don't have something in me that says..heck, I'm only cheating the government out of $5..if it was $20, then I'd be concerned). It's all about lying/cheating. How can anyone deny that?

 

[CdeSade]

I recently shipped out some VHS tapes to Japan (I sold them on Ebay).

While the buyer never asked for anything special, my PO suggested that I mark "gift" and put the value at $15.50 (price of items) instead of $55.55 (selling price w/ shipping included).

That's just my experience. See what your PO says.

-Chris

 

[DMRick]

Your post office was wrong to suggest you lie. As long as your post office is willing to take the consequences for YOUR actions, that would be fine. However, it's your signature on the form, not theirs. If reported, your post office "person" would be reprimanded. If caught, you are the one who marked the form wrong. They are suppose to follow the rules, and one of them is, if it's not a gift, don't mark it as a gift. It's very clear how to fill out the form. Our post office is right on the ball..they know our business and overseas shipping is important to us..we don't want the priviledge taken away.

As an aside, you would never put the shipping in the cost on the customs form.

You can never go wrong, following all the international shipping rules, and just letting people bidding on eBay, that you do so.

 

[marriedmarylander]

They ask that because they do not want to have to pay custom fees. IMO, they should ask this type of question before they bid. I've seem people on ebay leave negative feedback saying they had to pay $10 customs fees. But if you are going to purchase internationally you should ask ahead of time if the seller is willing to "lie" on the form.

How much is the item worth actually? Is it really a $10-$20 item and you sold it for more or does it have more value? If it's actual value is low then I would say go ahead and put it's $10-$15.

 

[DMRick]

It really should match what they bid, in case they have to prove it. Customs will accept the printed out auction from eBay. It works both ways...perfect for the person who got an item for way cheaper than it's "value"..they get to pay the customs price shown on the print out. And if they overpaid..well, it's THEIR country that wants the custom money, not mine
One thing to keep in mind, is, it's seldom worth it to send UPS, as there is often a hefty charge for UPS to fill out the paperwork. If you are sending UPS, be sure that is stated in your auction.

 

[alisonbestford]

Call me naive but it wasn't until I received a parcel from DisneyDirect, and had to pay tax and customs fees, that I realised you had to pay something for parcels from overseas!
The times I have sold on E Bay my PO has always asked me what's in the parcel and told me to tick the 'gift' box on the form.
Whatever, I'm certainly not going to feel guilty for posting a $2 book or dress as a 'gift'
You have to do what you feel most comfortable with and, as other posters have suggested, just let the buyer know your decision.
It certainly wouldn't put me off buying something I really wanted if I found I might have to pay a little extra
Alison

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

I mark them gift, and put what is actually in there at the same time as well as value. I wouldn't make it look less than what they paid though.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

Also, I would put in your auctions that you will not do this if you aren't comfortable doing so. In my experience though, most people don't even pay attention to those details anyway, so it might very well go unnoticed so be prepared for this.

 

[DMRick]

Also, I would put in your auctions that you will not do this if you aren't comfortable doing so.

You shouldn't have to put in your auction that you are following the law. If your post office knows you are selling on eBay and are telling you that you should click off "gift", then you are dealing with dishonest postal clerks. Shame on them. If they don't know and think you are just shipping a gift, that's different. I guess they don't worry about their jobs. I'm glad to know that our bidders realize we are honest. I have never had anyone be upset with me, once I explain that that is the law, and we have to follow it. I have nothing I have to sell bad enough to lie.

I guess the OP will just have to decide how she want to run her eBay business. Remember, just because someone tells you they mark it as a gift, that isn't what you are signing, and you should take that into consideration. If you are asking what eBay items are suppose to be marked as, it's a commercial sample (or you can mark it as other).

 

[polkadotladybug]

Well - I have seen this issue debated many a time - - and I know people tend to feel very strongly about it either way.

For the record, I personally don't mind checking "gift" - I also write "used dress or whatever (if it is used) so they don't have to pay extra. I know that I would NOT be buying on ebay if I had to pay additional "unknown amounts" of taxes on items and as a seller - I welcome any business I can get. I am so glad the U.S. doesn't charge taxes on items (or at least in my price range!). I do check gift even when someone doesn't ask. I have never had anyone get mad at me. I have seen sellers get really indignant when a buyer asks about it - as if their question was equivalent to soliciting sex or offing their grandma for cash.

This is obviously a moral issue and perhaps I'm lacking in that area - At the very least - I still think that you need to mark it as used if it's used (and don't list the brand name) and only value it for the auction amount (not shipping too!!).

I do not live in fear of the Japanese or Canadian Customs Police knocking on my door for checking the wrong box. If I was ever asked, I would feign ignorance.

That's just me though. I respect everyone's right to carry out their business as they would like to do.

 

[DMRick]

Well - I have seen this issue debated many a time - - and I know people tend to feel very strongly about it either way.

I'm not sure how this is debate.
You either say..yes, I click off the box that I'm supposed to, or no, I lie. A debate would mean, we aren't sure of what the law means..but I'm reading that we all do. So it's simple.

Click on commercial or other or click on gift. It depends on if you want your customers to consider your business honest or not, and if you choose to lie, hope the package doesn't get confisicated if opened.

 

[polkadotladybug]

DMrick - WHen I said I've seen it debated many a time, I was referring to the ebay boards that I frequent (not this board) - I know that the OP posts on the same boards as I do.

Just to clarify!

 

[DMRick]

Yes, I understood it to mean that you have seen it on other boards. I have too (not as a debate, however)..but it's usually..I don't care what the law is, I'll do what I want. I think the OP had already decided how to mark it and wanted help with a letter to let her bidder know. Then many posted that they mark as a gift, which may confuse others reading this post, about what is supposed to be the correct way to mark it, per international shipping laws.

 

[imsayin]

I do not live in fear of the Japanese or Canadian Customs Police knocking on my door for checking the wrong box. If I was ever asked, I would feign ignorance.

Too bad this won't hold up in a court of law. Ignorance of the law does not excuse you from following it - ask any lawyer.