Official worldwide thread - Tips/Advice for customs, VAT, etc...

[Lily]

I would consider reporting this company to customs for trying to avoid the VAT, chances are you are not the first person that this company has tried to stick it to and you likely wouldn't be the last. Avoiding customs fees is a huge offense in Canada, I'm sure it's likely the same in the UK

skislope15 could be onto something here, Cathy! Since the business that you've been dealing with has been less than ethical in their dealings with you, you could tell them that if they're not going to follow through with collecting the item due to customs/duties avoidance, then you're going to have to report them to the relevant authorities.

Not sure how the UK customs system works, but certainly some countries these things very seriously, and the business in question could see all their future imports and exports flagged and thoroughly checked by their customs office.

This is a really tough situation to be in, Cathy. I'm a non-confrontational person by nature and generally let things slide, so I can also understand if you don't want to take such an aggressive stance. The ladies here have all given you terrific advice. Whatever you choose to do, I hope it all works out for you!

 

[batfish]

I would consider reporting this company to customs for trying to avoid the VAT, chances are you are not the first person that this company has tried to stick it to and you likely wouldn't be the last. Avoiding customs fees is a huge offense in Canada, I'm sure it's likely the same in the UK

I would do this too. She's committing fraud and if she never as she says pays tax by getting sellers to undervalue items and is a business seller she is not just doing this on a small scale. I think HMRC would definitely be interested in this.

She clearly knows what she's doing and her statement about not realising she's responsible for import VAT on your item is definitely a lie (otherwise why would she ask you to undervalue the item or say she has done this in the past??)

And I definitely would not refund her postage. You should not be the one out of pocket here -she's deliberately messed you about so she should be the one losing the $120.

 

[vernis-lover]

skislope15 could be onto something here, Cathy! Since the business that you've been dealing with has been less than ethical in their dealings with you, you could tell them that if they're not going to follow through with collecting the item due to customs/duties avoidance, then you're going to have to report them to the relevant authorities.

I wouldn't threaten the company with it at all. I'm not sure what purpose that would serve in an already antagonistic situation. I'd just do it once my item was safely received. I did suggest the same several posts ago!

 

[Love Of My Life]

I wouldn't threaten the company with it at all. I'm not sure what purpose that would serve in an already antagonistic situation. I'd just do it once my item was safely received. I did suggest the same several posts ago!

Agree here... I would not do anything until I have my package in my hands.

Then I would consider filing a report & following up on it with the
proper authorities..

 

[IrisCole]

And OP, while I think you know this after this situation, NEVER send anyone anything unless they have paid for it in full first. This company is already unethical in their business practices, and were they a little more so, they could keep your item and never send you any money.

 

[Bratty1919]

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.

^^^ This!

And call PP before you get the package back to ask them their policy on seller protection in cases where a buyer refuses to pay her import fees. Make sure they put a note on your account so when you receive the item and issue the refund, it'll show why you withheld your shipping costs.

Please post the name of this dishonest and unethical reseller if she also sells on ebay and/or Bonz.

I am thinking of listing their name. I'm wondering if there may be any negative ramifications on my behalf if I do that.

OP - If you're not comfortable posting this buyer's info on this thread, could you PM it to those of us who've asked? TIA!

 

[skislope15]

I also wouldn't say anything to the buyer until you have your package back, after that I would be sure to let customs know. In the meantime maybe call PayPal and see if this is not the first time the buyer has refused a package, If you get someone helpful (which rarely happens) you maybe able to establish a pattern which may help you get your money back for shipping costs

 

[Luvbolide]

I wouldn't threaten the company with it at all. I'm not sure what purpose that would serve in an already antagonistic situation. I'd just do it once my item was safely received. I did suggest the same several posts ago!

I agree, this woman is petty and vindictive and I wouldn't push any of her buttons until you have the item back. Honestly, I wouldn't put anything past her.

And, of course, she has never "legitimately" saved her customers money on VAT taxes - what she is doing is illegal and the forms that she fills out with lowered item value are usually signed under penalty of perjury, so she is freely committing perjury as well.

That said, once you have the item back and have resolved what, if anything, you can do about the postage. I would definitely report her to Customs authorities. She is flagrantly, repeatedly violating the law and hopefully they will stop her or at least make it more difficult for her.

Good luck with all of this.

 

[bliss_cathy]

Thanks so much everyone for all your support! It makes me feel so much better knowing that I was in the right, even though I felt like they were wrong it's good to have that moral support. When people say to you one thing sometimes it does mess a bit with your thought process and they did make me feel like it was my mistake...

I've PMd the posters who asked about the company name. As I mentioned they deal with designer jewellery as re sellers. They have their own website but I actually just discovered hem on Ebay, as well. I saw my first item I sold them listed. I don't know how that one slipped through customs as I did write on e package the full value then too!! I'm actually worried they may frequent this forum now.

When they paid my by PayPal for the first item, they didn't actually out their name there, they left it blank! I actually can't believe it now!!! At the time I thought it was a bit weird, I thought some people may like their privacy but.... Gah!!! PayPal should have evidence of the transaction though.

I just checked tracking too, it's still showing as 'customs not paid', been like that for over a week now at least.

Parcel please come home!
One thing I am so glad I did, my return address is printed out in really big font on the package.

I did email one last email which was one sentence saying 'people have asked me to review this experience on line', I hope that didn't antagonise them!!

 

[bliss_cathy]

Update: I just rung Australia Post and found out the following.

If the item isn't returned in 10 business days I can lodge an investigation. If it isn't returned in a month then I can lodge an insurance claim.

I also found out that jewellery is a restricted/prohibited item to the UK.

It makes me even more upset that they should know receiving jewellery is restricted/prohibited for them. I was really worried talking to Australia Post that I had broken the law or something, but they said that I hadn't done anything wrong, but that the item does incur more tax. I asked if there was a chance the UK would seize the item or could my insurance claim could fall though - but they said that no, it would not be seized and my insurance claim would still stand.

Luckily it was sent via the best tracking system so they will prioritise the package even on inquiries.

I really feel like my trust was taken advantage of. It terrifies me that they not only wanted me to misrepresent the value but also more than likely be creative in describing the package. To me this really is breaking the law and at an absolutely massive risk to myself,

I am so so so glad I was honest and that I've only lost $120. If I got sucked into their shady way of doing things I could have really lost a lot.

At least I will never make this same mistake again.

On a positive note, there is a private buyer locally who may be interested in the item! I said its on a return trip from the UK but that they can see it in a couple weeks.

Hoping this may have a happy ending after all

 

[Lily]

I am so so so glad I was honest and that I've only lost $120. If I got sucked into their shady way of doing things I could have really lost a lot.

At least I will never make this same mistake again.

On a positive note, there is a private buyer locally who may be interested in the item! I said its on a return trip from the UK but that they can see it in a couple weeks.

Hoping this may have a happy ending after all

It sounds like your luck might be turning around!
It makes me so mad that the business you were dealing with is getting away with bullying you like this. It's not at all fair that you're going to be out the $120 for doing everything right. However, the other ladies are probably right about not turning this into an even bigger ordeal. *sigh*

 

[bliss_cathy]

I have decided I will definitely be reporting the company.

I have just been on the phone to UK parcel post. I found out that the request to have the parcel released early needs to be in writing - otherwise they hold it for 21 days for when they first ask for payment. Fortunately they have said that I can email on behalf of the recipient. I have just done this, so fingers crossed that works. The recipients 'phone call' last week was not enough to release the package (if they even did that).

Second I have found out the parcel is being returned by sea mail. If I want it to be sent by air mail I also have to pay more for the parcel to be sent faster.

I am so unbelievably upset about all of this , it may not arrive until May if it goes by sea mail which is absolutely horrible. Given that I have another interested person back in Australia makes it even worse.

I am 100% reporting them based on this further information. $120 is one thing, but 3 months without an item is another (I sent it 4 weeks ago) and having to pay additional $ to send it home is the final straw. For them to put someone through this and not take any responsibility whatsoever is absolutely despicable behaviour.

 

[chicinthecity777]

I have decided I will definitely be reporting the company.

I have just been on the phone to UK parcel post. I found out that the request to have the parcel released early needs to be in writing - otherwise they hold it for 21 days for when they first ask for payment. Fortunately they have said that I can email on behalf of the recipient. I have just done this, so fingers crossed that works. The recipients 'phone call' last week was not enough to release the package (if they even did that).

Second I have found out the parcel is being returned by sea mail. If I want it to be sent by air mail I also have to pay more for the parcel to be sent faster.

I am so unbelievably upset about all of this , it may not arrive until May if it goes by sea mail which is absolutely horrible. Given that I have another interested person back in Australia makes it even worse.

I am 100% reporting them based on this further information. $120 is one thing, but 3 months without an item is another (I sent it 4 weeks ago) and having to pay additional $ to send it home is the final straw. For them to put someone through this and not take any responsibility whatsoever is absolutely despicable behaviour.

How much more do you have to pay to have it returned by air mail? I would seriously consider paying a bit more if you can persuade your other potential buyer to wait. All in all, your buyer is horrible and I hope you announce their company's name so we don't deal with them at all! Can you PM me their name please if you don't feel comfortable to do so in public forum. Thank you!

 

[bliss_cathy]

Gosh what a confusing situation.

I have now been emailing parcel force UK, good news the parcel is returned on airmail as apparently as they continue with the same service I used. They also are returning the parcel today to customs for me.

In the email they said ETA 2-3 weeks which is much better than the original phone call.

 

[bliss_cathy]

The parcel came back today!!!

I am so relieved. That was quite a stressful process.