Item never arrived. Now I got a bill for over $3K from US customs for the destruction of the item

[mercantilium]

I need help. I ordered an item back in January of 2021. It was some hand cream that came from the UK. It never arrived. I waited and waited. I figured the delay was due to COVID. I contacted the seller but never received a response. Today I got a letter from some warehouse that's somehow connected with US customs. The letter included an invoice for $3273 for storage and destruction of my item. I cannot reach the seller, I cannot find any way to contact eBay. I'm not paying over $3K for a stupid item that I never even received! Please somebody is there any way to contact eBay? I have no idea what to do.

[rfmtm]

You waited way too long for ebay to help, so file a Item Not Received dispute with the payment processor you used.  Do it now, as you only get 180 days till that time runs out.

As far as the letter from the warehouse, I'd be very skeptical of that, and doubt there is any way they could make you pay it anyway.  Could just be a scam.

[mercantilium]

I'm sure it's too late to cancel the payment through PayPal. I'm not terribly concerned about the $60 for the original order. It's the $3000 invoice that has me worried.

[rfmtm]

I don't think I'd worry, they have no grounds to collect it.

[gosimus]

@mercantilium 

< It's the $3000 invoice that has me worried. >     

I wouldn't worry.  I think the warehouse is just fishing – or just wishing – regarding that invoice.  If they can find a sucker to pay it, then they're three grand ahead and ordering pizza for the whole staff.  If the target ignores it, then all it cost them was a sheet of paper. 

[mercantilium]

Well guys, I dunno. I found this page on the US Customs and Border Patrol site, and it's not exactly comforting.  https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/internet-purchases

I was finally able to reach a real human from eBay's Global Shipping program, so I'm hoping I'll get some sort of resolution, but it's starting to sound like if you buy something that's shipped from overseas, you could easily be on the hook for thousands of dollars in charges if something goes wrong in customs - and you basically have no recourse, other than to try to get the seller or eBay to pony up.