Anyone know what this means? Am I on the hook?

[sports-cards-n-stuff]

Tracking #:

Carrier:

USPS

Status:

ACCEPTEDIN TRANSITDELIVERED

Payment of charges - Item being held, addressee being notified

2018-02-06, 16:53:00

Processed through Facility

2018-02-06, 16:53:00, FRANKFURT/FLUGHAFEN

Held in Customs

2018-02-03, 15:07:00, FRANKFURT/FLUGHAFEN

[missjen831]

It looks like there were/are customs charges that are the buyers responsibility to pay

[duggmills]

I see it as the buyer has been notified it is being sent on to him  or he's expected to pick it up.  It seems odd that  customs charges duty on sports cards. Or the buyer has some other outstanding issue with customs if they are calling him in.

On the other hand....  she had warts.....   (yes, I'm being silly as I've been told)

[missjen831]

---

wrote:

I see it as the buyer has been notified it is being sent on to him  or he's expected to pick it up.  It seems odd that  customs charges duty on sports cards. Or the buyer has some other outstanding issue with customs if they are calling him in.

On the other hand....  she had warts.....   (yes, I'm being silly as I've been told)

---

The tracking status means that there are fees owed on the shipment & customs is notifying the buyer that they have to pay the fees & pickup the item. 

[sports-cards-n-stuff]

ok, but am I on the hook; if he doesn't pick it up? Would it be returned to sender?

[gotta-get-stuff]

Yes it would be returned to you but it could take a LOOOOOONG time. It's iffy what you mean by "on the hook". Sometimes eBay looks at the buyer refusing to pick it up as they forfeited their protection, sometimes they don't. 

[tealt]

---

wrote:

I see it as the buyer has been notified it is being sent on to him  or he's expected to pick it up.  It seems odd that  customs charges duty on sports cards. Or the buyer has some other outstanding issue with customs if they are calling him in.

On the other hand....  she had warts.....   (yes, I'm being silly as I've been told)

---

The charge is probably a tax rather than a customs' duty.

Countries with a VAT can charge that tax on anything coming into the country.  For some countries, the declared value of the item must exceed a certain amount before VAT kicks in.  Some countries also charge VAT on the amount of shipping.

[chrysylys]

Why be hung up about on or off?

Why not send a message of your own to the buyer about them going to get the item.   You know ....  customer service type stuff?

[slippinjimmy]

---

wrote:

Tracking #:

Carrier:

USPS

Status:

ACCEPTEDIN TRANSITDELIVERED

Payment of charges - Item being held, addressee being notified

2018-02-06, 16:53:00

Processed through Facility

2018-02-06, 16:53:00, FRANKFURT/FLUGHAFEN

Held in Customs

2018-02-03, 15:07:00, FRANKFURT/FLUGHAFEN

---

If the declared value for customs was more than abnout US$27 then the recipient will have to pay VAT (19% plus a handling charge). On the 6th the recipient was sent a notice which they will probably receive today. Their next step is to visit the local post office to pay the taxes and collect the item.

When they pick it up the tracking will change to Delivered.

The same process happens for most packages over the free limit which is currently 22 Euro.

If the recipient never picks up the package it will eventually be returned although it could easily take a couple of months as returns are frequesntly sent back via surface mail.