International Orders- additional postage due on receipt

martyjump · #1 07-14-2017

I've shipped probably hundreds of international orders without a problem.

A few months ago someone e-mailed me and said that there was a fee to pickup their package. I assumed this was because I had been marking the packages as "merchandise" and leaving the correct value of the item sold in the value field.

So I decided maybe I should start marking them as gifts and just leaving the correct value... since they're mostly just $20 items.

Then I had someone from the UK e-mail me saying they had to pay 12.58 pounds to pickup their package. The item was a marked as a gift with the value of $20.99. When I ask for a reason for this or documentation they beat around the bush and threaten to report me to eBay. They've already left negative feedback. So I don't know if this is just a scam artist or if they are really telling the truth. It's frustrating.

Does anyone have any idea what I did wrong or any tips to improve my international shipping?

**SaiJin** · #2 07-14-2017

Usually if it's a commercial merchandise for business, people have to pay taxes to pick them up. It's common.

The request for documentation is common too.

So unless you note otherwise... they'll keep getting taxed.

martyjump · #3 07-14-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaiJin

Usually if it's a commercial merchandise for business, people have to pay taxes to pick them up. It's common.

The request for documentation is common too.

So unless you note otherwise... they'll keep getting taxed.

Is there a way around this? I figured if I marked it as a gift and put the value at $2 there shouldnt be much of a fee if there is one.

The guy is saying he is getting charged over 12 pounds (UK customer) on a $20 item.

I get stuff shipped from China to USA all the time and haven't ever had to pay anything. I did notice one time that they either marked it as "sample" or "gift" instead of "merchandise" Just trying to find a way around people having to pay upon receipt as this is causing my feedback to go from 100% to 94% on one of my accounts... don't want to have to deal with this in the future.

james13v · #4 07-14-2017

US customs are a bit different. Especially USPS. I've never had to pay customs. one time, UPS or Fedex, can't remember which, sent me an email saying I had to pay like 20% on a $2000 package. I said hell no and ignored it. They said they wouldn't deliver it unless I paid. Luckily, it was actually delivered lol and it seems like they were just trying to trick me in hopes I'd pay anyways. I didn't pay.

This is one of the reasons why we are having such economic issues... So much **** flowing from other countries. Yet when other countries buy from us, their taxes are insane.

Putting gift or undervaluing shipments, is highly illegal. So do it at your own risk. I put everything as other and under $10, so I'm not judging. Just remember it IS highly illegal.

**SaiJin** · #5 07-14-2017

There you go. you Have the answer already =)

Do as the Chinese did.

PS: YOu read the eBay Stealth yet?

james13v · #6 07-14-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyjump

Is there a way around this? I figured if I marked it as a gift and put the value at $2 there shouldnt be much of a fee if there is one.

The guy is saying he is getting charged over 12 pounds (UK customer) on a $20 item.

I get stuff shipped from China to USA all the time and haven't ever had to pay anything. I did notice one time that they either marked it as "sample" or "gift" instead of "merchandise" Just trying to find a way around people having to pay upon receipt as this is causing my feedback to go from 100% to 94% on one of my accounts... don't want to have to deal with this in the future.

If your feedback is saying they are complaining about customs fees, then I'm pretty sure you can get that deleted. That's not an opinion. They are warned ahead of time that they can or might be charged taxes.

**SaiJin** · #7 07-14-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by james13v

If your feedback is saying they are complaining about customs fees, then I'm pretty sure you can get that deleted. That's not an opinion. They are warned ahead of time that they can or might be charged taxes.

Hmmm... that would be interesting to see.

OP, you should try that, specially if James says it can be done.

james13v · #8 07-14-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaiJin

Hmmm... that would be interesting to see.

OP, you should try that, specially if James says it can be done.

I've never needed to do it, but any time I've ever had an issue with a buyer complaining about taxes, ebay was very open about protecting me in that situation. Usually got cases closed in my favor, so if they did leave negative, I wouldn't even know...

**SaiJin** · #9 07-14-2017

Well, OP seems to be flustered about that neg, so I guess it wouldn't hurt to try

martyjump · #10 07-14-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by james13v

If your feedback is saying they are complaining about customs fees, then I'm pretty sure you can get that deleted. That's not an opinion. They are warned ahead of time that they can or might be charged taxes.

They're acting like I didn't pay the postage and am putting it on them. In all reality, it's probably a customs fee.

So I guess the solution is to mark items as a lower value... lesson learned.

How would I go about getting the feedback removed though as it's not correct?

james13v · #11 07-14-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyjump

They're acting like I didn't pay the postage and am putting it on them. In all reality, it's probably a customs fee.

So I guess the solution is to mark items as a lower value... lesson learned.

How would I go about getting the feedback removed though as it's not correct?

gotta call in. But again, it depends on how they worded things in the feedback and or messages.

martyjump · #12 07-14-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by james13v

gotta call in. But again, it depends on how they worded things in the feedback and or messages.

Yikes. I hate the idea of calling into eBay. Especially since this account is under a female name and I'm a male. Think I'll just take my loss on this one. Worst case scenario I can just move the popular listings over to another account. I do appreciate the tip though! I just hate calling into eBay for fear of them asking questions about my identity.

james13v · #13 07-14-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyjump

Yikes. I hate the idea of calling into eBay. Especially since this account is under a female name and I'm a male. Think I'll just take my loss on this one. Worst case scenario I can just move the popular listings over to another account. I do appreciate the tip though! I just hate calling into eBay for fear of them asking questions about my identity.

I can't remember the last time I've been asked questions about my identity. Sometimes they might as for your zipcode. Unless you're in some kind of trouble, they have no reason to ask you anything personal. And many members call in under a difference sex. Hell, just say you're her husband. Same last name, but give them a different first name.

dallis · #14 07-14-2017

They'll just think you're a masculine woman...

You can respond to the feedback and say 'international buyer unhappy about custom's charge' or some such.

My customs form at Stamps.com says 'enter the value of the item being shipped'. Not 'what the customer paid'. The 'value'. Those are very different things, aren't they?

GhostOfAmazon · #15 07-14-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyjump

Yikes. I hate the idea of calling into eBay. Especially since this account is under a female name and I'm a male. Think I'll just take my loss on this one. Worst case scenario I can just move the popular listings over to another account. I do appreciate the tip though! I just hate calling into eBay for fear of them asking questions about my identity.

You're kidding, right?

If they question your name, just go on a rant about how gender is a social construct, it's "2017" and that you self identify as a female.

They will NOT ask any more questions, I guarantee it.

Everyone is lawsuit happy these days, and the last thing an eBay rep wants is to lose their job over asking questions about your name.

Aside from that, there are men with girls names and vice-versa. It's not unheard of.

Stop being such a wuss and pick up the phone. We'll be rooting for you.

james13v · #16 07-15-2017

YouTube

oompaloompa · #17 07-15-2017

There are budget postal services, where taxes can be levied, or higher priced ones that guarantee customs charges are included, but if it is only occasional, then maybe refund the extra - or put a disclaimer that charges are down to buyer on your advert....

and as for gender, it will be a freaking social construct the way things are going....

james13v · #18 07-15-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by oompaloompa

There are budget postal services, where taxes can be levied, or higher priced ones that guarantee customs charges are included, but if it is only occasional, then maybe refund the extra - or put a disclaimer that charges are down to buyer on your advert....

and as for gender, it will be a freaking social construct the way things are going....

Last time I checked, when someone bids and or checks out ( can't remember which), it would warn them. Just as when there is an extending handling time, it's shoved in their face, before they make a purchase. Isn't that disclaimer enough? Yet, EVERY TIME, I get a message 2 days later asking me why their item hasn't been shipped yet. The item with a 10 day handling time. People, don't read. It doesn't matter what you say on your listing. People are idiots, they are ignorant, they are lazy, and or any combination of the 3.

dallis · #19 07-16-2017

Half the time the description, which has critical details doesn't show up any more, it's no wonder people don't read.

GhostOfAmazon · #20 07-16-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by dallis

Half the time the description, which has critical details doesn't show up any more, it's no wonder people don't read.

Thought I was the only one getting that glitch!

dallis · #21 07-17-2017

It's not just on EB any more, it's on Exty too, and sometimes on AZ. And on EB it frequently excludes the shipping cost too.

Probably has something to do with mobile and the desire not to take up space.

Or they're just scumbags and evil fiends.

Probably both of the above.

GhostOfAmazon · #22 07-17-2017

Yeah this whole push towards mobile everything is really screwing up my regular PC browsing experience....

Am I the only one who NEVER shops from his phone? I'm not even old.....