Official worldwide thread - Tips/Advice for customs, VAT, etc...
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Lily thanks for sharing your story! I know what you mean about the double standards as well. BTW, I'm in Australia as well!! In this instance they even said 'we do all that we can to ensure that our customers do not pay excess import duties and thought you would do the same'. Wow, how could I not have lied on my customs forms and declared my $3k item as 10 pounds. When I asked them how an insurance claim can work if you lie on the package they didn't answer directly, in fact they said 'you have unnevered me as your tone sounds accusatory'. Omigoodness! If they were in my position and a customer did that to them! They would expect that customer to apologise non stop, be mortally embarrassed and be deducted fees for handling, postage and time. Yet they actually said to me, 'you have taken my time up and I have been generous by replying to your emails' and 'we are not at liberty to compensate your postage fees as the product did not arrive'.
Gosh the delusion and nerve!
I am so glad I did not lie and do not want to work with them anymore.
Vernis lover I agree it's unethical. I actually said that to them. Then they said it was business!! And not to take it personally. They also said the parcel was my responsibility hence I should pay for postage. I have since set up their emails to be deleted automatically as it makes me upset and stressed.
Lovely 64, I know! So sorry, I thought I could delete one but I didn't have the option. Thank you for your sympathy.
I most definitely believe customs is the buyers responsibility. They most definitely know about it as well. I do think they just took a risk on my expense to see if they may have evaded customs.
I really hope my package comes home.
Gosh the delusion and nerve!
I am so glad I did not lie and do not want to work with them anymore.
Vernis lover I agree it's unethical. I actually said that to them. Then they said it was business!! And not to take it personally. They also said the parcel was my responsibility hence I should pay for postage. I have since set up their emails to be deleted automatically as it makes me upset and stressed.
Lovely 64, I know! So sorry, I thought I could delete one but I didn't have the option. Thank you for your sympathy.
I most definitely believe customs is the buyers responsibility. They most definitely know about it as well. I do think they just took a risk on my expense to see if they may have evaded customs.
I really hope my package comes home.
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Nothing particularly useful to add apart from that it is ALWAYS the receiving parties responsibility to pay VAT and Customs Fees.
Sorry this happened to you, your buyer sounds like a piece of work
It is possible that there is some kind of legal action to take to recover your $120? Worth looking into the possibility
Sorry this happened to you, your buyer sounds like a piece of work
It is possible that there is some kind of legal action to take to recover your $120? Worth looking into the possibility
Hi All Saints, I've got two threads on this now! I set up two by accident and couldn't delete one. I worry legal fees would be more than the $120 I could get back. Even the online questions 'ask a lawyer' cost about $70.
The fact I think they are getting away with something through a loophole, I would like to do something like get legal action for the sakes of I truly do not think they are doing the right thing.
For the money though, I don't think it is worth it.
The fact I think they are getting away with something through a loophole, I would like to do something like get legal action for the sakes of I truly do not think they are doing the right thing.
For the money though, I don't think it is worth it.
Not much to add either except that VAT is the responsibility of the recipient and not of the sender I.e. you. You should not reduce the price of the item to cover VAT. Also you definitely should not under value your item when sending it or you'll lose money on the insurance should the item be lost in transit (& possibly invalidate the insurance).
Your buyer is at best naive and at worst a nasty piece of work.
You may wish to direct her to sections 2 and 3 of the following:
http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channels...CE_CL_000014&propertyType=document#P155_13199
Your buyer is at best naive and at worst a nasty piece of work.
You may wish to direct her to sections 2 and 3 of the following:
http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channels...CE_CL_000014&propertyType=document#P155_13199
There is no loophole. She is breaking the law by asking you to undervalue the goods. See the link above-it is very clear-as the importer she is responsible for the goods being correctly valued and is breaking uk customs law by requesting them to be undervalued. Personally I'd ignore her and wait for the goods to be returned to you-which they will be if she does not pay the VAT required
You need to contact a moderator (littlerock) and ask her to merge the 2 threads for you.
International legal action would not be worth the time/effort/money.
What an atrocious piece of work your customer is.
If you under-declared the value and insurance and the item went missing then your buyer could claim non-receipt for the full amount the paid and your claim for loss would be limited to the insurance you purchased.
This customer wants to have their cake and eat it. You could always email HMRC and explain what you have been asked to do, giving them the name and address of the buyer.
Thank you Vernis lover, yes definitely wanting cake and eating it too!
I think she was thinking she could pull the wool over my eyes. Thanks for confirming my thoughts.
I emailed the moderator as well.
I think she was thinking she could pull the wool over my eyes. Thanks for confirming my thoughts.
I emailed the moderator as well.
Thanks Bat fish. I think I just have to get my item back and put this down as a learning curve. I think so often people do the right thing, but occasionally they don't. At least it's only $120!
I really hope fingers crossed the return post system is efficient and it isn't lost.
This lady is mean! I don't like yukky people!!
I really hope fingers crossed the return post system is efficient and it isn't lost.
This lady is mean! I don't like yukky people!!
What the *bleep*!! Your buyer is from another planet, Cathy! I can't believe that they gave you such attitude when they're trying to get you to commit fraud on their behalf!
Was your buyer a reseller by any chance? Mine was...
I pray that your item will make it back to you in original condition.
Was your buyer a reseller by any chance? Mine was...
I pray that your item will make it back to you in original condition.
Lily mine was a reseller too!!!
Lol! That's so funny!
Which is why I find it even more unbelievable that she was/is trying to feign ignorance when she runs a business!
Lol! That's so funny!
Which is why I find it even more unbelievable that she was/is trying to feign ignorance when she runs a business!
LOL I had an awful feeling your buyer might've been a reseller. Might even be the same buyer that I had! My buyer actually didn't mention anything about customs/duties until I asked her if she was fully aware of the fees payable (because I know exactly how expensive it would be on a 3K item!). That's actually when she asked me to 'just write the value as £10'.
I actually have nothing against resellers as I also buy to re-sell sometimes.
And as a reseller I would never expect special treatment! Resellers should know better than most, what being a good buyer entails!
LOL I had an awful feeling your buyer might've been a reseller. Might even be the same buyer that I had! My buyer actually didn't mention anything about customs/duties until I asked her if she was fully aware of the fees payable (because I know exactly how expensive it would be on a 3K item!). That's actually when she asked me to 'just write the value as £10'.
I actually have nothing against resellers as I also buy to re-sell sometimes.
OP I would be interested to know the name of your reseller. I am in the UK and would like to avoid doing business with people like this.
If the transaction was not through ebay can't you just refund the buyer $120 less than what they paid? I assume they paid before you shipped so once you get the item back, just refund minus shipping charges.