eBay

modelsforu · ‎08-30-2021

I shipped an item to a buyer in Slovenia and it was returned to me two months later with a sticker on it with the box checked, "Refused by Customs".

The buyer paid for the item via Paypal. I used ebay to purchase a shipping label and it's address was auto-populated.

What is my responsibility? Isn't the buyer responsible for a correct shipping address?

I have no idea why it came back to me with the "refused" sticker.

Can anyone help shed light on what may have happened and what I am to do?

I have inboxed the buyer so that they are aware the package came back to me.

Thanks

modelsforu · ‎09-01-2021

How do I know which meet requirements and which do not?

No, the package was not opened. It was undisturbed and exactly like i sent it.

By the tracking, the package never advanced past the international distribution center in San Francisco, CA. When it left that facility, it bounced around the USA for a month and a half before ending up back at my house.

modelsforu · ‎09-01-2021

I know that the buyer seems to have the power in most disputes, but can I add a note to my auctions that it is the the buyers responsibility to be sure the item can be imported into their country and if they purchase and it it cannot, there are no refunds?

vintage-camerastuff · ‎09-01-2021

You have to sign and date the customs form. My guess is customs refused to send it any further for that reason so it was returned to you. I believe it was just your error so you should refund the buyer.

vintage-camerastuff · ‎09-01-2021

After standing in postal lines in the past and forgetting to sign and date the customs form I have been told by my postal worker to sign or it wouldn't get out of USA. Elsie should know she's worked there for 30 years.

nobody*s_perfect · ‎09-01-2021

@modelsforu wrote:
I know that the buyer seems to have the power in most disputes, but can I add a note to my auctions that it is the the buyers responsibility to be sure the item can be imported into their country and if they purchase and it it cannot, there are no refunds?

A statement like that is unenforceable and would probably be overlooked by many potential buyers. The ones who do read it might focus on the "no refund" phrase, and decide to hit the back button.

modelsforu · ‎09-01-2021

Thank you for your reply. I was thinking that may be the issue.

I have paid to ship it again and did sign and date the declaration,.

modelsforu · ‎09-01-2021

Thank you. Paid to ship it again and did sign it this time.

modelsforu · ‎09-01-2021

Good point... may not be a good idea.

teltuooutlet · ‎09-01-2021

I have read on other posts people questioning the Ebay Global Shipping Program but I will say I have shipped MANY items through them and everytime it has been easy. My responsibility ends when it lands at the distribution center in Kentucky. Any issues with customs, etc, Ebay has to handle.

Since I have that method of transportation in my listing, any country exclusions for items are populated by Ebay. If they miss something, then it is their responsibility and not mine.

Example, I had an item last year go through the distribution center and when it reached the country customs denied it. The customer contacted me stating they had not received the item and I contacted Ebay customer service. They then proceeded to handle the customer side and I didn't have to do anything.

kensgiftshop · ‎09-01-2021

@modelsforu wrote:
Would this apply to the USPS too?
The label was purchased directly through ebay.
See my reply to another poster for what I may think happened.
Feel free to add thoughts. Thanks.

If toys are prohibited, I'm guessing that's for any carrier.

Have a great day.

bigdeals.etc · ‎09-01-2021

@modelsforu wrote:
I know that the buyer seems to have the power in most disputes, but can I add a note to my auctions that it is the the buyers responsibility to be sure the item can be imported into their country and if they purchase and it it cannot, there are no refunds?

I’d say if it doesn’t happen often then no need to create clutter disclaimers in your listing. I think you just got unlucky. I’d be surprised if this ever happens to you again. I think I’ve had something similar to this happen to me once out of my entire eBay career.

bigdeals.etc · ‎09-01-2021

@modelsforu wrote:
Thank you for your reply. I was thinking that may be the issue.
I have paid to ship it again and did sign and date the declaration,.

Report back to us with the outcome. I’m sure others here would benefit to know what happens.

lonebuck-books · ‎09-01-2021

@modelsforu wrote:

What is my responsibility? Isn't the buyer responsible for a correct shipping address?

This most likely has nothing to do with the shipping address but rather what was in the package. Every country has items that cannot be shipped in. My guess is the buyer ordered and you shipped something that is not allowed inside their borders.

With that said, who is at fault is tricky. On one hand the buyer should be responsible for knowing if an item is legal or not in their own country. On the other hand (and most likely the hand eBay will hold) the seller should know if something shipped is legal in the country it is being shipped/sold to.

If it was me, I would message the buyer letting them know it was returned as being refused by customs in their country and that you will be refunding the item cost minus shipping hoping they don't complain but being ready with my defense if they do. You got a 50/50 shot that you will get to keep the original shipping.