Refund on Restricted Item

[xyzscr_51]

I need to refund my Canadian buyer for a little sapphire ring she purchased. It was a $115 purchase, but according to eBay, fine jewelry is a restricted item for Canada. I sent the ring via the suggestion eBay displayed when I was purchasing postage, eBay International Standard Delivery (whatever that is).  I received an email a few days later that said my package was being returned because "the package cannot be delivered due to Restricted/Prohibited Item."

When I go to refund my buyer, none of the reasons fit the situation:

Seller cancelled / Out of stock

Buyer cancelled

Item not received

Buyer return

Item not as described

Other adjustment

Shipping discount

In my short career as a seller on eBay, I think that most of those reasons will result in a defect against me. Do I ask that my buyer cancel the transaction---or what?

I have since read through the restricted list to Canada on the USPS site, and I find it confusing. It says that jewelry can be sent with First Class Package International Service with Registered Mail Service, but a few paragraphs down, it says it can't be worth more than $5. Yes, five dollars. So...that means that no one in the US of A can sell jewelry to Canada? Apparently I can't post the link? 

Sorry for the long question. I did use paragraphs though...

I'd appreciate any guidance and advice you have on this topic.

Thank you.

[tutwa-20]

I believe you should chose a reason that will issue a defect since it is your responsibility to not sell restricted items.

[kensgiftshop]

@xyzscr_51 

Try to cancel the order and use a problem with buyers address as the reason.

[pjcdn2005 · Accepted solution]

It isn’t a restricted item in Canada  although perhaps eBay standard delivery chooses not to   handle fine jewellery.   You could send it first class international which is what it looks the buyer paid for if I am looking at the right listing.   I looked at the usps restriction list that you were referring to and it doesn’t make a lot of sense.  I do know that I have purchased jewelry from the US that was sent with usps and there has never been a problem.  

It’s a good idea to send items the method that was advertised in the listing as that is what the buyer expects.  I have no doubt that eBay showed you their international delivery on the label but you can change it to the method in the listing.   As a Canadian buyer I wouldn’t be happy if first class wasn’t used as sending it a different way could take longer and might end up costing me more in brokerage fees.   I realize that you were just doing what eBay suggested but that isn’t always a good idea as you have now found out.