Missing customs information to Brazil

[carsandtechshop]

In all my 10 years of selling internationally and domestically with both my personal and business accounts. I have never misused Customs because I don't want to be liable for any problems, so I always do things to correct and legal way even though plenty of buyers want to cheat the system, which I understand, but like I said I do not want to be liable.

So in this example I sold a used iPhone and stated that in the description of customs and stated the correct price and weight and other customs information.

No way would it ever be inaccurate, no way. The only thing I can think of why I'm encountering this status of "  missing customs information" is because I'm sure the buyer probably didn't use the correct syntax for his address, that's what I'm assuming, because when I type it into Google nothing comes up, but Google does give me a recommendation of what the address should be in. Even my brazialian friend in the usa says the buyers address syntax is not completely accurate or correct.

Getting back to my point when I sold the item about a month ago, the buyer wanted me to change the customs documentation make the value declaration be worth $50 usd instead of the couple hundred that the item's actually worth, to avoid taxes/import fees.

The only message I wrote to the buyer was, i'll fix the custom form so that you will recieve the item. Buyer said ok.

The buyer has not reached out and it's almost been pretty much been over 4 weeks, the package is definitely in the correct destination of buyer's country.

I have a copy of the customs forms i filled out 100% correctly, but the item still shows that it's in route and the last status is what I wrote in the title, prior towards that status it was originally on hold at customs.

I don't know what to do now because I've never experienced this, never once even as a top-rated seller, selling plenty of things internationally. I don't want to get scammed, I don't want to lose any money and I don't want to be screwed out of money regardless of who's fault it is, it's definitely not mine so I wanted to see what options I have to get this resolved without me having to spend a single dime to resolve whatever's happening.

I really hope it's just on hold at customs until the buyer can resolve it but I don't see how this would be my problem unless somebody wants to screw me out of a couple hundred bucks... or unless customs wants to be cocky about it. 

I've been informed how sketchy it is to sell to Brazil and I guess this country is going to go to my Blacklist to never sell to anyone in Brazil. I will repeat again that no repercussions have been made on my account I'm just worried what I mean counter so I want to be prepared for whatever situation might be thrown at me.

[wastingtime101]

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@carsandtechshop wrote:

Getting back to my point when I sold the item about a month ago, the buyer wanted me to change the customs documentation make the value declaration be worth $50 usd instead of the couple hundred that the item's actually worth, to avoid taxes/import fees.

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Report the buyer for demanding something not included in the listing and consider blocking them.

Personally I won't ship to South America, although if you want to include that buyer base the way to go is using eBay International Shipping instead of direct shipping.

If anything happens, the buyer might file a non receipt claim if the item is sitting in customs awaiting the buyer to pay customs fees. If that happens, come back and let us know and we'll guide you.

Also possible from what you said is the package could be returned due to a faulty address. Again, if that happens come back to let us know.

At this stage there's nothing to do other than report and block. Wait to see what happens.

Oh, and you can track the package here as it sometimes shows more detailed tracking info:

parcelsapp.com/en

[lesegouts]

In my regular business we do not sell to Brasil. Customs is a nightmare.

[marnotom!]

Brazil exacts extremely high customs charges on items valued above US$50 and those items that need to be assessed for payment tend to languish in customs for quite a while.

Importers are ultimately responsible for the information on customs forms, not exporters.  Exporters fill out the information on customs forms on the importers' behalf.

[carsandtechshop]

I used eBay International Shipping label with an assigned ES #. I did everything correct on and via ebay as I should. Right now I am in the clear, I just have my worries. But thank you for the reply I'll keep this thread updated

[carsandtechshop]

No new updates yet. It has now officially been 5 weeks since ebay stated an ETA of when item should arrive by. So now I would assume the buyer would not have the option to open up an item not recieved claim since it's been over the ebay eta delivery deadline according to ebay's policy. I believe i am in the clear, item is still at customs. Maybe the dude didnt want to pay the hefty import taxes fees.

[carsandtechshop]

 

 bingo here's the new update. According to the SR reference number that I have received over the phone call with eBay's representative, they ebay will close out the case in my favor after three business days because I have provided tracking and they can see the messages that the buyer has sent me that violated eBay's policy to avoid pain import fees which would be great in my favor since I did everything correctly. The buyer has not paid the import fees nor has he picked up the item. Anyways how I see it is a clueless buyer not understanding how laws and taxes work as well as if you other logical terms that should be common sense

[carsandtechshop]

 yes I made it to the safe spot! I had the case escalated & I won in my favor. PHEW , What a relief!

[carsandtechshop]

A day later after case was closed in my favor, buyer got it escalated reopened and won in his favor. Then on the same day I called escalated and I won this in my favor and this should be the last of it, he used up all his his 2 appeals.. my gosh this is so unfair for me to put up with his negligence in figuring out what & why customs is holding onto the package (that's if they still have it there) (unless it has been stolen at customs)

 

 

[fm2000]

Unfortunately, even if they lose with eBay, they still have the option of doing a credit card chargeback directly. Watch your account in case they try that.

Brazil is a country with some weird and vague prohibitions. One of them (listed on the USPS web site) is "used consumer goods". That can mean almost anything used, and might be why it was seized. I won't ship to countries with those kinds of vague prohibitions, it is just not worth the potential headache with customs issues.

[elihech-0]

Chargebacks. That's what worries me to death and disappoints my parents.

[carsandtechshop]

New update, after the case has been closed & i retain the money, buyer finally does the correct thing AND PAY FOR CUSTOMS IMPORT FEES. 

Now the item is in transit towards him, i hope the buyer underdtands how the laws work in his country. Like seriously I've sold stuff to Moldova, Ukraine Switzerland, Australia, Chile, Japan and so on and never had i had one issue & the buyers never had an issue either!

If the buyer makes a charge back i'll just submit documentation that he paid for the item at customs and that he tried to defraud his local customs (while i do know brazil customs are criminals as well) and i'll win again. I've had charge backs before ( domestically) but as a top-rated seller I am I have protection and I've never had one problem with that because ebay is the one who ultimately pays out in the end

[agemelee]

This is why I only ship via the Ebay global shipping program. Once it reaches the shippint center its out of your hands. 

What a nightmare especially with the reverse of the appeal? 

[wafflestogo]

My brother shipped an item to someone in Brazil via the EBay International Shipping Program. It was marked delivered when being offloaded from the plane so they believe it was stolen from a customs agent. Does he need to refund them? He thinks he does but it was marked delivered. Thanks for any insight! Says there’s no way to contact eBay, trying to help him out.