Canadian buyer wants me to lie on the customs form

Michigan

Value of item is $77.00 he wants me to mark it as less than $20
because there is no customs fees to pay below that amount.

Hmm......

ajaan

You must decide whether to put the value at $20. or have the buyer refuse delivery and the item is then returned to you. What is the face value of the coin?

theboz11

If it is a Coin or currency, Place the Face value on the form, It is not worth anymore to anyone who does collect them. The US Government considers Silver Dollars to be worth ONE Dollar. Take one to the bank and see what they give you for it

wybrit

Simply put terms and conditions on your sales that state you will not lie on a customs form in order for buyers to avoid paying import duty. I finally had to do that a year ago. Now if anyone asks me, I just point them to the clause.

Dadburn it, if Canadians don't like their customs laws, then they need to elect government officials who will make changing those laws a priority. Supposedly they have a democratic system of sorts and can do that. Same for the Brits, etc.

tonyhar

I agree with Tom, I expect the full value to be stated on any customs form for coins sent to me. Manx Customs are very fair unless you try to con them!

Likewise I always put the full value on all that I send so that I donot have problems with overseas customs.

syraq

Tony, you would disagree if you had to pay an extra 19% VAT on these plus handling fees. I too ask for the exact same thing but I assume all risks too.There are no risks actually, I just say it to make the seller feel better.

newsman

Since the value of numismatic items is subjective, how would the customs authorities decide if one is lying or not?

wybrit

Since the value of numismatic items is subjective, how would the customs authorities decide if one is lying or not?

Good point, but based on some specific examples I have had relayed to me, Canadian customs will attempt to assign a valuation if they believe the item is undervalued, especially if no receipt for the purchase is enclosed. While, to be kind, most government agencies have questionable competence, they may well have Krauses on hand in Canadian customs offices. Just like with any property taxing agency, maximum valuation will be assumed.

ajaan

If it is not a slabbed coin, just put it in a Safe-t-mailer, or between cardboard, and place in a regular envelope. You don't need a customs form for this.

wybrit

If it is not a slabbed coin, just put it in a Safe-t-mailer, or between cardboard, and place in a regular envelope. You don't need a customs form for this.

That's true, according to US postal regs.

However, I have had some trouble with that type of mail "disappearing" when sent to certain countries.

ajaan

Or spend $4.25 and put it in a Global Priority small envelope. If less than 16 oz than a custom form isn't required. I'm more confident a Global Priority package will arrive safely.

CIVITAS

<< <i>Or spend $4.25 and put it in a Global Priority small envelope. If less than 16 oz than a custom form isn't required. I'm more confident a Global Priority package will arrive safely. >>



I used to believe this too, until someone who used to work for the USPS told me it's not:

"Global Priority mail is
put in the same sack as Global Express mail which is then handed over to non
postal employees including Fed-ex employees and airline employees. These
people know that the contents of the sacks are important and since the
express mail pieces are sealed in tamper-proof holders they rip through the
Global Priority envelopes. This mail is completely unguarded as it goes
overseas and is targeted as important! Regular airmail goes in sealed postal
sacks and is never handled by non-postal employees...only Postal employees
have access to these sacks so they are much safer."

Doesn't stop me from using Global Priority, but I do keep it in mind when shipping.

docday2003

I am Canadian, and I hate how our customs operates. They assign a $5 handling fee, and then taxes. I have bought items that were worth less than $5, and so the fees cost more than the actual item. As well, they will often charge tax on items where no tax is applicable (such as gold bullion), so that you either pay the tax, or waste your time fighting to save a few bucks. It has gotten to the point that I now think twice about buying from outside of Canada.

Another thing that is ridiculous is that if you buy a coin in canada (for example from a big auction such as Torex), and have it delivered outside of Canada - no tax applies. If you buy the same coin, and have it delivered within the country, full taxes apply. It's almost like they are trying to kill off local collectors.

Michigan

<< <i>I am Canadian, and I hate how our customs operates. They assign a $5 handling fee, and then taxes. I have bought items that were worth less than $5, and so the fees cost more than the actual item. As well, they will often charge tax on items where no tax is applicable (such as gold bullion), so that you either pay the tax, or waste your time fighting to save a few bucks. It has gotten to the point that I now think twice about buying from outside of Canada.

Another thing that is ridiculous is that if you buy a coin in canada (for example from a big auction such as Torex), and have it delivered outside of Canada - no tax applies. If you buy the same coin, and have it delivered within the country, full taxes apply. It's almost like they are trying to kill off local collectors. >>





I had a Canadian buyer a few years ago have me send the package
to an address of a relative of his in Buffalo, New York. The Canadian
would drive over the border, pick up all of his Ebay purchases
at the relatives house and then smuggle them across the border
in order to avoid paying the custom duties. Pretty sneaky and clever.

newsman

<< <i>I am Canadian, and I hate how our customs operates. They assign a $5 handling fee, and then taxes. I have bought items that were worth less than $5, and so the fees cost more than the actual item. As well, they will often charge tax on items where no tax is applicable (such as gold bullion), so that you either pay the tax, or waste your time fighting to save a few bucks. It has gotten to the point that I now think twice about buying from outside of Canada.

Another thing that is ridiculous is that if you buy a coin in canada (for example from a big auction such as Torex), and have it delivered outside of Canada - no tax applies. If you buy the same coin, and have it delivered within the country, full taxes apply. It's almost like they are trying to kill off local collectors. >>



Let's hope that now Canada has a real government, and not a corrupt, nanny-state Mafia, things will get better for you.

docday2003

Let's hope that now Canada has a real government, and not a corrupt, nanny-state Mafia, things will get better for you. >>



We can only hope!

But the reality is that a Conservative minority will have trouble changing the way the government operates.

SYRACUSIAN

Newsman, Californians pay sales taxes too.


It's only normal that Canada or the EU tax various products coming from outside their borders, but the internet has multiplied international transactions and people have discovered a variety of ways to bypass some regulations that do not affect the seller. If he's not cooperative I'll have the items sent to some other US address too ,then have them redirected over here.

Josh that was a very interesting bit of information.

BigAlan

It has gotten to the point that I now think twice about buying from outside of Canada.



Now you are starting to understand the system.

MadMarty

<< <i>Or spend $4.25 and put it in a Global Priority small envelope. If less than 16 oz than a custom form isn't required. I'm more confident a Global Priority package will arrive safely. >>



Actually, the USPS will have you fill out a short form if it's anything other than a letter.