Hi.
This only affects buyers in the USA and people who sell into the USA.
Some countries (Japan and Australia) are applying postal restrictions to the USA on items over 453grams (16OZ). From what I have read, this is in response to USA requests for security - so it is would be inappropriate to comment further on why, so let's focus on the practical issue of shipping.
This first surfaced in Japan about a week ago and there is now information in English on Japan Post. Some sellers are currently unable to post items over 16 Oz. Some have systems in place which mean they are exempt from this restriction, and others are using alternative carriers etc, others are busily trying to qualify for the exemption process. Sea mail is available, cheap and and takes about 2 months for your average bag to arrive on the mainland from what I can see. It came up very suddenly.How long this will be in place is unknown. It could stop as fast as it started, or it could go on for some time. If your seller says they are doing their best to get something to you - they are. Others may be canceling some listings, which is unfortunate for them as well as for USA buyers.
It is quite possible that there will be minimum impact from all of this. But it is nothing anyone wanted to see happen and it just requires a bit of flexiblity from people while this process takes it's course. You may be affected by a surcharge or by slightly different systems for postage or maybe it won't affect you at all.
Australia Post has also published a statement and set up new guidelines but theirs are different to the approach used by Japan Post. eBay just put up a message about it. Here's the Australia Post link here. eBay asks that comments on the issue be directed to Australia Post, not eBay.
Australia Post's way of dealing with it is to drop a AU$9 surcharge onto all items over 453 grams posted to America. They also mention that there are delays of about 48 hours expected. eBay suggests that Ozzies should not use the Shipping Calculator in the short term, because it does not factor in the AU$9 surcharge.
What was very interesting was that Australia Post also made a reference to customs duty.
Are any other countries following this pattern?
thanks in advance
This only affects buyers in the USA and people who sell into the USA.
Some countries (Japan and Australia) are applying postal restrictions to the USA on items over 453grams (16OZ). From what I have read, this is in response to USA requests for security - so it is would be inappropriate to comment further on why, so let's focus on the practical issue of shipping.
This first surfaced in Japan about a week ago and there is now information in English on Japan Post. Some sellers are currently unable to post items over 16 Oz. Some have systems in place which mean they are exempt from this restriction, and others are using alternative carriers etc, others are busily trying to qualify for the exemption process. Sea mail is available, cheap and and takes about 2 months for your average bag to arrive on the mainland from what I can see. It came up very suddenly.How long this will be in place is unknown. It could stop as fast as it started, or it could go on for some time. If your seller says they are doing their best to get something to you - they are. Others may be canceling some listings, which is unfortunate for them as well as for USA buyers.
It is quite possible that there will be minimum impact from all of this. But it is nothing anyone wanted to see happen and it just requires a bit of flexiblity from people while this process takes it's course. You may be affected by a surcharge or by slightly different systems for postage or maybe it won't affect you at all.
Australia Post has also published a statement and set up new guidelines but theirs are different to the approach used by Japan Post. eBay just put up a message about it. Here's the Australia Post link here. eBay asks that comments on the issue be directed to Australia Post, not eBay.
Australia Post's way of dealing with it is to drop a AU$9 surcharge onto all items over 453 grams posted to America. They also mention that there are delays of about 48 hours expected. eBay suggests that Ozzies should not use the Shipping Calculator in the short term, because it does not factor in the AU$9 surcharge.
What was very interesting was that Australia Post also made a reference to customs duty.
USA admits duty-free genuine personal gifts not exceeding $US 25 value (excluding tobacco products and perfume).
USA readers, is this tax arrangement new? Do any of you know what the story is here? I thought that the limit was US$100 for gifts and $200 for most merchandise.
Are any other countries following this pattern?
thanks in advance
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