Tax issues

[lilfish_502]

Hi guys, I'm a card shop from China and just sold some high valued cards for over $1800 to USA.

However, when they finally arrived at destination, buyer refused to finish the tax duty for over $400 which cause the return. And we still didn't finish this problem yet.

Is there a range of free tax duty in the United States? And should I add a real value on the package or just a fake value to avoid taxes for my buyers? Is that legal?

Thank you very much!

[safan80]

That was a typo on my part. I meant to say DO NOT mark the shipments as grifts if asked to do so. I can no longer edit the post and that is lame.

[buyselljack2016]

Good to hear that you did not mean to mark as "gift". 😊

Post editing (with the exception of the board moderators actions) is allowed for only 5 minutes. 

[redmodelt]

They could ask the moderator to fix the post. 

[ms.rodriguez*]

Don't lie.  Perhaps you can add to the description that buyers in other countries may be subject to custom duties.  Remind them that a seller is NEVER responsible for these fees.  It is up to each person to find out how much the customs fee will be BEFORE they buy.  Sure, this may cost you sales but it's better for you.  Now, you do not know if you will get back your valuable cards.  Goodluck.

[lilfish_502]

Local carrier (UPS) tried to deliver 3 times and got refused. Now we are dealing with the return.

The good news is that I have got the full payment, and the bad news is that I had paid $400 tax myself or the package will not be able to return😓 . Hope my customer won't claim for the full refund at last.😩

[lilfish_502]

I had a Canadian buyer asked for adding lower value(no more than C$20) every time😥. I thought it was Okay, and it never had any problem on shipment. Never thought that was illegal.. there are some guy know well how to play with tax.

[lilfish_502]

That is definitly a part of reason. And I think eBay should warn some more for buyers like before payment. The tax policy here is just too hard to see. I promise most people in worldwild will not understand tax policy even after Googling.

[reallynicestamps]

Yes $20 is our (Canadian) duty free allowance for goods not imported from the USA or Mexico. Canada has dozens of Free Trade Agreements including with the European Union and for some reason, Mali.

Neither Canada nor the USA has a Free Trade Agreement with China.

the bad news is that I had paid $400 tax myself or the package will not be able to return

???

This is Returned Merchandise and most nations do not charge import fees on returns.

You could try, on return, going to the customs office and showing the officials that it is returned merchandise. Here in Canada that would get you a refund.

Unless the charge is for return postage, which is a possibility.

[ckimodog]

@ms.rodriguez* 

Hey Ms. R-

Exactly...this is what I add in all of my listings:

SELLER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ADDITIONAL VAT AND DUTY TAXES THAT MAY BE APPLIED BY THE BUYERS COUNTRY

Grant it may not hold water with the MBG, but I still post it regardless. I once received a negative rating because of duty tax and Ebay actually removed it. 

Have a great day.