[amamxr]

Bag-Fetish- you are not understanding my thread at all.

[merika]

Originally Posted by amamxr

And I thank you so very much for your comforting words.. Totally appreciated..

Oh, thanks for thanking me...I didn't say anything comforting really, but what I meant was that if you didn't find out how much you had to pay and make the decision before purchase, then you would lose the money that customs charged you - which is what happened, I guess.

[hlfinn]

oy.

[Mick]

ok jean, you're italian...i was in an italian family for 15years.....go make yourself an espresso with a big shot of galiano, and call it a night......

[slayer]

Your customs charge sounds excessive but basically they seem to be able to charge what they like. Have the rules in the US for customs changed maybe?
I once paid $200US for something and when it got here customs charged me $180 AUD extra . In this country we are even hit for postage as a custom tax so maybe you were too.
Unless you ask the seller to put a lower value most automatically put the full price.

[leanbeanee]

^^ That sounds totally outrageous, slayer! They can't charge you customs for a USD$200 item??! You only need to pay customs in Australia if the purchase price (not including postage) is more than AUD$1000! If it's more than $1000, then you'll have to pay customs and GST on the purchase price and shipping.

[slayer]

Originally Posted by leanbeanee

^^ That sounds totally outrageous, slayer! They can't charge you customs for a USD$200 item??! You only need to pay customs in Australia if the purchase price (not including postage) is more than AUD$1000! If it's more than $1000, then you'll have to pay customs and GST on the purchase price and shipping.

You're totally correct, this was awhile ago that I was charged that outrageous amount but I was wondering if the US had dropped their thresh hold to a low rate like we used to have.

[leanbeanee]

I didn't know it use to be so low in Australia! $1000 is pretty low...

[lvgodiva]

We never paid for custom when bought from L-T coz L-T always declare our LV as:
" a gift"
" used bag/wallet"
" $25-45 "
so we won't get custom charge.
I think your seller declare the exact amount for your item

[Miss Sooky]

I don't know if I am unusual, but when I post items to the USA or anywhere overseas, the post office guy always asks me directly what the value is and to confirm that I understand the penalties of false declaration. Now for personal and professional reasons I am terrified of breaking any kind of law - I've never even got a parking ticket! So, I always declare the item's proper value. When I read on here about the tricks people use to get round the customs' fees, I thought 'good on you', but also 'I couldn't do that' because it is basically lying on a legal document however much I hate customs fees. I DO tell buyers about this.

I have certainly bought plenty myself from North America and been hammered for customs duties which seem far more expensive and consistently charged when receiving items in the UK than any other country I know of - and I don't ever recall a seller warning me that I would have to pay these duties, including stores as well as individuals. I guess they assume I would know about it . . .?

I think though for the OP, customs fees are an irritant if you have a lovely seller, smooth transaction and great item, but if things have been as horrid as it sounds they have for you, then these costs are just the last straw- that's certainly how I'd feel.

[lulilu]

From a seller's perspective, this is why I don't like shipping out of the country. Once the receiving country gets the package, you have no control. You are far away, unfamiliar with the country's system etc. It does not seem unreasonable for the seller to suggest that you the buyer try calling the PO because it is a) easier and b) cheaper for you to do so.

Also, once it is stuck in customs, you have no control over how long they will keep it and what they will do with it, yet the buyer is blaming you.

I agree with the poster who said that we as sellers are required by law to put the true value and fill the forms out properly -- regardless of what the buyer wants and says. We are not international tax experts. I have not heard often of US citizens having to pay customs, but this is the second time I have heard of this regarding a Texas customer. Maybe it is the wave of the future and buyers should be more aware.

I would follow up with customs and find out how they calculated the customs tax. Maybe they can point you to a website etc. And maybe you can get them to recalculate it. But as much as it is an unpleasant surprise to you, it is not the seller's fault.

[Bag Fetish]

I purchased a handbag in December and after waiting for over a month I email the seller about it, now this is from the UK and she replies to me that it was sent Royal mail yada, yada, yada and you need to call USPS to find out where it is. I call the post office and they inform me the package never arrived in the United States. My guess is it was stuck in customs. When you track the package and it stops generally speacking customs has it. I've heard of items being stuck in customs for weeks if not longer.

I reply back to the seller and she says that it will have to wait until February to file a claim with the Royal Mail. Would this be acceptable to you?. The time line to file a claim is paypal, so you'd have to take the up with them. Reason is that they have no control of the mailing system no with customs,. I will assume that paypal is taking into thought that there are times when the mail service is very slow. No i wouldnt be happy with it but what can you do? Well it was not to me so I asked her for a refund and she will just have to deal with the insurance claim. Well if you have to wait a month for paypal to file a claim, i'd ask the buyer to work with me and i'd call the postal service to see what is going. If it just feel off the map with the tracking then i'd do some inquiring before refunding anything but no one knows if the bag is lost yet.

Well, today I get the package and have to pay 80.00 is customs fee. Is this normal??YES! depending on what was sent, what the value is and the mood customs is in. There are times when you *might* get lucky and not be charged, its a hit amd miss.
When you purchase from Let-Trade, I never had to pay a customs fee. You were totally likey, I have purchased from them several times and I've had some packages charged and others have made it through with no charges from customs.Totally confused on this one as the handbag was not worth 80.00 more. If you think the charges were too much this is something you have to take up with customs. They will charge you fee's based on their value of the package, not always on what is claimed. So if you feel you were charged too much you need to contact customs and see what they have to say.

Now if i was the seller i would NOT refund you your money, you have the bag in question and you dont have an ISSUE with the bag, but yet the charges. That is not someone the seller is responsible for.

GOOD LUCK!

[Bag Fetish]

Great post... !! Totally on key.

Originally Posted by lulilu

From a seller's perspective, this is why I don't like shipping out of the country. Once the receiving country gets the package, you have no control. You are far away, unfamiliar with the country's system etc. It does not seem unreasonable for the seller to suggest that you the buyer try calling the PO because it is a) easier and b) cheaper for you to do so.

Also, once it is stuck in customs, you have no control over how long they will keep it and what they will do with it, yet the buyer is blaming you.

I agree with the poster who said that we as sellers are required by law to put the true value and fill the forms out properly -- regardless of what the buyer wants and says. We are not international tax experts. I have not heard often of US citizens having to pay customs, but this is the second time I have heard of this regarding a Texas customer. Maybe it is the wave of the future and buyers should be more aware.

I would follow up with customs and find out how they calculated the customs tax. Maybe they can point you to a website etc. And maybe you can get them to recalculate it. But as much as it is an unpleasant surprise to you, it is not the seller's fault.

[*Freetoes*]

Originally Posted by John 5

.....Sellers should always put if they're going to put down the full value of the item in the auction description!!!!

Am I the only one who sees this differently? I make it clear in my sales that I will declare the amount the buyer paid. You can get in BIG trouble if you're caught falsifying customs documents.

Also, how in the world do you insure something if you're under-valuing it on customs forms??

[leanbeanee]

Originally Posted by *Freetoes*

Am I the only one who sees this differently? I make it clear in my sales that I will declare the amount the buyer paid. You can get in BIG trouble if you're caught falsifying customs documents.

Also, how in the world do you insure something if you're under-valuing it on customs forms??

ITA!