Diamond custom duty from Japan to US

[sarahyao1]

I recently purchased a pre-owned Tiffany diamond pendant from Japan with certificate.   Seller said that I am responsible for custom duty but not telling me how much it is.   UPS delivery person said that I owed over $500 but asked me to write a check to the Seller!!  Neither party provided document of itemized charges.   I did not accept the delivery and ask for redelivery a few days later.  I am hoping to sort things out by then. 

Question 1  Since Tiffany is an American MFG company,  maybe this pre-owned item should not be subject to import duty?

Question 2  Even if it's subject to custom duty,  why would the payment goes to the Japan seller?  That sounds like a COD.   

Question 3  Am I not entitled to have a itemized receipt of extra charge to ensure everything is legit?  Can I cancel my ebay purchase based on concern of dishonesty?

[mudshark61369 · Accepted solution]

@sarahyao1,

When you decide to buy from a foreign seller, YOU  are  the one responsible for any customs fees.  You can go to the U.S. Customs Border Protection duty Calculator site to see what the fees for a foreign purchase will be. Those fees are usually collected once the item is in the country and clears customs, by the shipper. It sounds like your postal clerk wasn't familiar with the process.

In general any item costing under $800 is duty free. If the item costs more than $800 the fee is calculated from$800 to the purchase price. Ex: An item costing $1,500 would be charged duties on $700 of its cost.   However luxury items bought from Japan fall under a different calculation.

#1   It is coming from Japan, not a U.S. seller therefore it is imported.

#2  I believe you were given bad information.

#3  You cannot cancel the transaction for that reason.  You were instructed to check for the possible fees on the purchase in the listing and were told you were responsible for paying them.

[kensgiftshop]

No, you can't cancel the order and if you fail to pay the import fee's and the item is returned, you loose your MBG and the seller doesn't have to issue a refund.

[12345jamesstamps]

"I did not accept the delivery"...it will be between the seller and you if you refuse it of the "redelivery".

A refused means seller is in control.

You could lose your payment without getting anything if you refuse it again. 

You are responsible for custom duty.

Item is already out there in shipping limbo for a few days where seller paid for shipping to you.

Consider it a lesson learned and hopefully it was a great bargain for a purchase where we have Tiffany Stores in the USA which you could have made the purchase instead of Japan.

[sarahyao1]

Thank you for your reply.   My key issue is not able to see any documentation of the charge (it's supposed to be free shipping).   Shouldn't UPS provide me the detail?

[sarahyao1]

Thank you for your reply.   I don't mind paying the import duty but that should not be paid to the shipper.   Since I was not provided with itemized receipt, I can't be sure what is the charge composed of. 

[sarahyao1]

Thank you for your reply.   I did not accept the delivery yesterday & requested redelivery in a few days hoping that I will have better clarity of the charge and knowing my options by then.  

[mudshark61369]

@sarahyao1,

You replied to kens..., saying:

" don't mind paying the import duty but that should not be paid to the shipper. Since I was not provided with itemized receipt, I can't be sure what is the charge composed of".

Customs duties/fees are based on the Cost of the item only, they do not involve the shipping cost, when one is given. The fees should only be charged for the custom's declaration form's stated value for the item is.

Your state's sales tax may include the shipping cost, if it taxes an item's price + shipping. In this case since the shipping cost was not given the sales tax includes the built in "Free" shipping. The State's sales tax was included in your purchase price when you paid.