Having Ebayer Ship a HAC from UK

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nattie1020

nattie1020

Jack's H-Mama
O.G.
Jun 5, 2008
852
3
#1
So my questions is, when I purchased my LV Deauville from an ebay seller in Honk Kong, the seller lowered the price to avoid it getting stuck in customs.

Is it a good idea? Does the declared value have to match the value it's full insured for?

It's being sent via FedEx, so I'm not worried about that. Just wondering if it's okay to lower the declarations value to avoid the red tape.

As long as you have your tracking number, you're fine right?
 
#2
You avoid all red tape if the bag is clearly marked as a used item. There are no duties on used items, only new. Also helps if the package is marked "unsolicited gift."
 
#3
With FedEx the customs declaration has to match the insured amount. If the seller ships by Royal Mail then they don't as they aren't checked by anyone.

If it was me then as long as I had the tracking number and the seller sends by air rather than surface I wouldn't worry about the lowered insurance.....be sure you are happy with that though!

If the bag is declared at full value and a gift there is still a chance of you getting hit with customs charges as it's still importing a chargeable item into the country, it could slide through and have no charge but then again you could be charged. Generally speaking when it's sent with couriers such as FedEx and UPS it's far more likely to be checked by customs
 
#4
Mooks, I know that different countries do have different rules. For instance, Hello2703 once stated that there are duties on an item in Hungary, no matter what...new, old, whatever.

In the US, no duties on used items. Thank goodness!!!
 
#7
mooks said:
Ahhh ok! That's really good, over here it's a real crapshoot on whether you get hit with it or not
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I am mystified by what goes on here as well. I have had brand spankin' new items sent to me and they didn't say used or whatever on the packing slip and I still didn't have to pay duties even after Customs opened the package! My little theory is that if it is a known store is sending to you, like Harrods (paid duties on that) or Hermes etc. they will or could hit you. Items sent from everyday people are less likely. They xray the package and I think that is about it.
 
#8
My little theory is that US Customs are totally random. ;)

I always state the same thing and amount on all my bags shipped to the US. Some clear in a minute, other get stopped for 24 even 48 hours.

I never had a serious problem though, neither a buyer had to pay duties.
So I suppose that my way of filling the Fedex paperwork is working pretty well
 
#12
gracekelly said:
You avoid all red tape if the bag is clearly marked as a used item. There are no duties on used items, only new. Also helps if the package is marked "unsolicited gift."
Click to expand...

OMG this was so helpful. I am debating whether to bid on a bag from ebay UK. I dont' want to have to pay shipping (which of course is much more sending things overseas) AND customs' fees. Do you write "used item" on the Royal Mail customs slip? Or did you have this experience with Fed Ex or some other courier?

Thanks so much!!! :yahoo:
 
#13
MeggsieLuvsBags said:
OMG this was so helpful. I am debating whether to bid on a bag from ebay UK. I dont' want to have to pay shipping (which of course is much more sending things overseas) AND customs' fees. Do you write "used item" on the Royal Mail customs slip? Or did you have this experience with Fed Ex or some other courier?

Thanks so much!!! :yahoo:
Click to expand...

Meggs, my bag is due to come in on Saturday, but I await finding out if I will pay extra at customs. I've had bags shipped from Japan and never had a problem but we'll see.

We were however told to list on the Commercial Invoice that it was a USED handbag and also stated it wasnt for Resale.

I'll let you know what happens (if anything) with customs.
 
#14
nattie1020 said:
Meggs, my bag is due to come in on Saturday, but I await finding out if I will pay extra at customs. I've had bags shipped from Japan and never had a problem but we'll see.

We were however told to list on the Commercial Invoice that it was a USED handbag and also stated it wasnt for Resale.

I'll let you know what happens (if anything) with customs.
Click to expand...

Nattie - How did this turn out for you? I'm contemplating a bag from the UK as well...
 
#15
graycat5, i know that dressage queen found specific information about potential customs charges, you might be able to find it if you do a search. based on my memory of that thread we are subject to 9% duty on anything above $90 price for a leather handbag. it does not actually matter whether it is new or used, or marked gift or not. i also think there is lots of information on this on the ebay forum.

however, it seems to be a crap shoot as to whether customs actually charges when something is sent via mail vs. via UPS or FEDEX. HTH.
 
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