INR case for item stuck at customs

[nmo029]

I sent this item to a customer in Italy on Dec-9. (almost $300)

A few days ago he tells me that if the item does not arrive by Jan-3 he will request a refund since he is travelling abroad and he needs the item before that.

So today he opens a case for INR. The tracking clearly shows item is still in transit in Italy.

On the case, he says the item is at customs with "customs problems" so he want a refund.

Is there anything I can do ? Obvously I don't think I should refund just becase of the slow Italian post/customs and because he lost hes patience.

Will appreciate your advice.

[lookng2015]

I 'll bet anything the "customs problems" are they are requiring duty/taxes be paid at pickup.

[chrysylys]

Be ery careful here.  This can become a common scam tactic where they wait to receive the refund, then go to Customs to retrieve the item, ending up with both.

[chrysylys]

Also, Italy is very restrictive, alomst repressive on what they allow into the country.  Did you check lists of prohibited items before sending the electonics?

Next thought is transit time.  Three weeks may not be enarly enough.  Six weeks could be more likely with the high package volume at this time of year.

[nmo029]

3 weeks is very very reasonable at this time of the year...we both know that, the question is, will ebay take this into consideration ? I am still trying to figure out my best course of action here.

[slati_2013]

I recently sent something to Italy. It sat in customs for weeks. I had forgotten even about the order and was checking to see if it was delivered about four weeks later, and it was not. It was a couple of weeks more before it was delivered. It all comes down to your buyer. If your buyer is a serious buyer, not scamming you and really wants the item, they will wait as long as it takes.

I see your typical scam here where he will get his money back and then pick up the item. To add insult to injury, they use the refund to pay the custom fees. Ebay needs to extend the delivery time of all international orders. If not, there are going to be fewer international sales. Too many scammers out there have figured this delay tactic. 

[retrose1]

OP, being in Israel, as a International seller, you more than most should by aware of what a country will and will not allow into their country.

According to the POs restricted list - you are not allowed to ship musical instruments or parts of any kind into Italy - the odds are good your guitar pedal part will be blocked at customs.  You might get it back in about 6 months.  But I would not hold my breath.

There is a scam that is so common, it has a name - customs hangers.  The buyer gets notice that the item is in customs (and usually has to pay a fee to pick it up),  buyer files an INR(Item Not Received) dispute with ebay, 5 days later ebay finds for the buyer because the seller can not prove that the buyer has the item.  Result - buyer gets the refund for t item and then runs down to customs to pick up their item.

In your case, it is a tossup abut what might be happening to you - but one thing is clear to most of us here....the buyer is going to get a refund out of your account and there will be nothing you can do to stop it.

[chrysylys]

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@nmo029 wrote:
3 weeks is very very reasonable at this time of the year...we both know that,

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I'm saying 3 weeks is too short for expected delivery.  It could be far longer.

[chrysylys]

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@retrose1 wrote:

According to the POs restricted list - you are not allowed to ship musical instruments or parts of any kind into Italy - the odds are good your guitar pedal part will be blocked at customs.  You might get it back in about 6 months.  But I would not hold my breath.

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Does Italy return banned items?  Or do they seize and destroy?

[retrose1]

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@chrysylys wrote:

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@nmo029 wrote:
3 weeks is very very reasonable at this time of the year...we both know that,

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I'm saying 3 weeks is too short for expected delivery.  It could be far longer.

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The buyer is reporting it is in customs, and there is a 'problem' so it could be 'delivered' within days.

I suspect that ebay's dispute process is dictating the time frame for delivery.

[retrose1]

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@chrysylys wrote:

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@retrose1 wrote:

According to the POs restricted list - you are not allowed to ship musical instruments or parts of any kind into Italy - the odds are good your guitar pedal part will be blocked at customs.  You might get it back in about 6 months.  But I would not hold my breath.

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Does Italy return banned items?  Or do they seize and destroy?

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A friend of mine that specializes in sports memorbilia shipped a pair of Nike Air Jordan 1st year athltic shoes to Italy.  After a few months he had to refund as they were nowhere to be found.  I explained how Italy is really touchy about what goes in and shoes are top on the list.  About 9-10 months after he shipped they came back to him.  Returns are not a high prioity for the PO so they come back by slow boat.

I have another friend who sells jewelry and the few items she has shipped to Italy have never come back.  She refunded for most of them. 

I think returns might depend on the item and the honesty of the customs agent that the package is being processed by.

I have followed the PO's prohibited list religiously and while I don't ship a lot to Italy, in the past 10 years, everything i have shipped there has made it to the buyers.

[chipper01work]

About 10 years ago, on the eBay boards, I read that the best course of action for sellers was to block Italy and not sell there. That country and their customs issues were discussed at great lengths at that time. 

With well over 100 international transactions I have never shipped there even though I don't have them blocked. I guess I should count my blessings.

[dhbookds]

Don't know what works/doesn't work out side of US, but here, if the item has shown some movement.....ebay will usually extend the shipping time if you contact them....

don't know if that would apply in this case, since seems to be a real customs question as to whether they actually will let it in the country or not, but I would try to get it extended. 

[d-k_treasures]

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@dhbookds wrote:

Don't know what works/doesn't work out side of US, but here, if the item has shown some movement.....ebay will usually extend the shipping time if you contact them....

don't know if that would apply in this case, since seems to be a real customs question as to whether they actually will let it in the country or not, but I would try to get it extended. 

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^^ This - call ebay and get the extension.

[nmo029]

The tracking does not say "customs" anywhere, it's just the buyer in the case he opened.

I shipped musical instruments accecories for years to Italy and never had an issue with customs.

Can someone refer me to the restriction list you are taliking about ?