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vhdos · Oct 21st, 2009, 12:22 PM

I need to ship a bag to Taiwan. The USPS quoted me about $40 for shipping (Priority Mail) and an extra $11 for insurance. I know that this has been talked about before, but I still have unresolved questions with the Customs Form. The buyer wants me to mark the item as a gift worth $100. I understand that this is to reduce her taxes. However, I want to insure the bag for the full sale price ($850). Can the two numbers (item value and insurance value) be different? Can an experienced seller please help me out here? What do I need to do to protect myself and satisfy the buyer at the same time. By the way, the buyer is extremely experienced and she buys/sells bags internationally all the time.
Thanks!

ladyisobel · Oct 21st, 2009, 12:50 PM

If you undervalue on the customs form, you can only insure for the amount declared.

deekai · Oct 21st, 2009, 01:34 PM

Tell your buyer that you do not mark the customs form at a lower price. It is illegal and you could, if discovered face a fine of several thousand dollars and up to 6 months in jail.
You can word that a little more softly, but you cannot insure for a different amount that you declare.

For the future, put in your ad......."I do not change the sell price on the customs form, please do not ask."

"All buyers are responsible for VAT/Customs duties."

You simply don't know this woman or anyone else well enough to jeopardize yourself like this. When I have someone ask this of me, I simply reply that I don't do that as it is illegal.

ladyisobel · Oct 21st, 2009, 01:52 PM

The whole customs issue of underdeclaring always throws up a lot of debate, i would do a search, there's been many a heated thread.
Some people do it , some don't, i've always done it for buyers and sellers have always done it for me, i've had no problems in 6 years and items have always been sent with full tracking.
However, i don't think i'd want to send to Taiwan underinsured (i've always sent to the US)and would probably decline on this occasion.

vhdos · Oct 21st, 2009, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by ladyisobel

The whole customs issue of underdeclaring always throws up a lot of debate, i would do a search, there's been many a heated thread.
Some people do it , some don't, i've always done it for buyers and sellers have always done it for me, i've had no problems in 6 years and items have always been sent with full tracking.
However, i don't think i'd want to send to Taiwan underinsured (i've always sent to the US)and would probably decline on this occasion.

Thank you so much for your response. I did do a search and found lots of info, but it was still pretty unclear.

abbiesmommy · Oct 21st, 2009, 02:01 PM

The 2 numbers HAVE to match.So if you need to insure for $850. which you do,on the customs form it will say insurance amount you fill in the $850 that is also the declared value.No way around it.She is just trying to lessen her fees however if the bag goes missing or gets damaged you are only covered for her $100 suggestion vesus the $850.Being a seasoned buyer she should know better than to ask you to lie on customs forms but sadly some sellers will do it.I will not as you risk too much for them to save a bit of money.You must protect yourself.As I am confident if something does go wrong you will have to pay for it,not her.Even if she says she will not hold you liable--you still are.

Oct 21st, 2009, 12:22 PM	#1
vhdos OP Member Joined: May 2007 Location: NC Posts: 3,137	Shipping/Customs question - please help a newbie! I need to ship a bag to Taiwan. The USPS quoted me about $40 for shipping (Priority Mail) and an extra $11 for insurance. I know that this has been talked about before, but I still have unresolved questions with the Customs Form. The buyer wants me to mark the item as a gift worth $100. I understand that this is to reduce her taxes. However, I want to insure the bag for the full sale price ($850). Can the two numbers (item value and insurance value) be different? Can an experienced seller please help me out here? What do I need to do to protect myself and satisfy the buyer at the same time. By the way, the buyer is extremely experienced and she buys/sells bags internationally all the time. Thanks!
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Oct 21st, 2009, 12:50 PM	#2
ladyisobel Member Joined: Mar 2006 Location: devon uk Posts: 2,885	If you undervalue on the customs form, you can only insure for the amount declared.
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Oct 21st, 2009, 01:34 PM	#3
deekai Member Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 299	Tell your buyer that you do not mark the customs form at a lower price. It is illegal and you could, if discovered face a fine of several thousand dollars and up to 6 months in jail. You can word that a little more softly, but you cannot insure for a different amount that you declare. For the future, put in your ad......."I do not change the sell price on the customs form, please do not ask." "All buyers are responsible for VAT/Customs duties." You simply don't know this woman or anyone else well enough to jeopardize yourself like this. When I have someone ask this of me, I simply reply that I don't do that as it is illegal.
deekai Member Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 299

Oct 21st, 2009, 01:52 PM	#4
ladyisobel Member Joined: Mar 2006 Location: devon uk Posts: 2,885	The whole customs issue of underdeclaring always throws up a lot of debate, i would do a search, there's been many a heated thread. Some people do it , some don't, i've always done it for buyers and sellers have always done it for me, i've had no problems in 6 years and items have always been sent with full tracking. However, i don't think i'd want to send to Taiwan underinsured (i've always sent to the US)and would probably decline on this occasion.
	__________________ i'm twittering ! http://twitter.com/ladyisobel_tpf facebook ! http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...37&ref=profile

Oct 21st, 2009, 02:01 PM	#6
abbiesmommy PURSE FANATIC Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 398	The 2 numbers HAVE to match.So if you need to insure for $850. which you do,on the customs form it will say insurance amount you fill in the $850 that is also the declared value.No way around it.She is just trying to lessen her fees however if the bag goes missing or gets damaged you are only covered for her $100 suggestion vesus the $850.Being a seasoned buyer she should know better than to ask you to lie on customs forms but sadly some sellers will do it.I will not as you risk too much for them to save a bit of money.You must protect yourself.As I am confident if something does go wrong you will have to pay for it,not her.Even if she says she will not hold you liable--you still are.

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