Selling out of US on ebay

72skywalker

I am selling a figure on ebay and someone from Bazil wants to buy it. They ask if I would ship there and if so how much. also they ask that if I do ship there would I put the figure's worh for $34 on the customs form even though it will most likely sell for $200 or close to that. They said it is because in Brazil anything over $40 they have to pay high taxes on. I don't really want to ship to Brazil because i am lazy and don't want to do the customs thing but would not mind the extra bids. Does this guy's story seem legit to you or would you just say no to shipping over seas.

larryallen73

My rule is I don't lie on those things. To me there is no reason for you to lie. That's their problem. Why put yourself in whatever small amount of "risk" there is for lying on something like that!? I put no international in all my auctions as it's a pain. Occasionally I do it when people ask but it's just not worth the extra time generally.

mlbfan2

You could be fined for falsifying a customs form. Plus, the chances that he says he didn't receive the item are higher than normal because you already know that he's not honest.

scashaggy

I ship my items internationally all the time with little problem. Granted my items are mostly around $10.

If you print out the postage through ebay's system for intl. mail, the value will already be filled out on the form.

JoeBanzai

I gave up on trying to sell out of the US. Too many problems. Now you have someone who wants you to lie.

I would not do it.

Good luck!

joe

thedutymon

<< <i>I ship my items internationally all the time with little problem. Granted my items are mostly around $10.

If you print out the postage through ebay's system for intl. mail, the value will already be filled out on the form. >>



What He Said !!!!!!!!!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

E-Bay or Paypal both put the Sale price on the label, just tell him that because of that you have no control over the cost declared and bid accordingly!

Neil

Jakt

Isn't there supposed to be a new program for international sales where a seller ships to a location within the states and then eBay ships it from there?

I've had two international sales recently and there has been nothing of the sorts related to that.

mygotta

They usually ask because they have to pay a customs fee from importing merchandise. Many times with expensive stuff, it can be nearly the price of the item. Also it could get held up in customs for whatever reason and take longer for them to receive it. At any rate, while it is their deal, I have accomodated people many times without an issue. on expensive item, I will usually make a declaration that its at your risk that I send with a lower customs declaration value.

mlbfan2

<< <i>I will usually make a declaration that its at your risk that I send with a lower customs declaration value. >>



That's not going to matter if you get caught. You're the one that signed the form.

theump

I sell a ton of stuff outside the US. And, yes, many times people will ask for a lower amount because of duties, and taxes.

However, whenever I sell an expensive item (most of my items are $20-$50; clothing) I always ship via Express Mail. Shipping via Express Mail leaves a tracking number and shows that the buyer received the item. This way he can't claim he did not get it. First Class International does not allow for this.

miklia

I'd say he's probably legit, and if there's a problem the person in trouble would be him at Brazilian customs, not you. There's likely a couple of reasons why he wants low value:

1) Shady people in the Brazilian Post stealing or opening his package when they see a high value.

2) As noted, duty - they might hit him with some outlandish 250% bill by classifying it wrongly.

If you ship express mail (or use anything registered, make sure it has door-to-door tracking), you should be covered. mygotta's and theump's advice is sound.

Tabe

Problem with lying on the customs form is that, if the package goes missing, you've screwed yourself on any insurance claim since you won't be able to file for full value.

Tabe

miklia

depends on which shipping company is used. for some, the two values are distinct. it's my understanding that a package insured for 500 with USPS that has gift/0 value on the customs form (if you send to a family member f.ex) that is then lost can still be claimed for full value. The only place where the customs value is marked is then on the lost package.

cardbender

I personally will only ship to one country outside the USA and that's to Canada.
Not sure why but......

I've heard of too many horror stories with packages going missing and little
recourse for the seller. Maybe ebay's new international shipping program will help
resolve those issues, but frankly I don't want the possible added headaches
with overseas shipping in order to garner another bid or two on my items.

To each his own.

A friend sold a 1950's toy rifle on ebay to some buyer in Europe (not sure what country).
The buyer paid like $80 in shipping. Three weeks go by and the buyer says he didn't
receive the package yet. Another two weeks go by and the package gets return to
sender. Apparently the buyer had moved during the time of the transaction and of course
he didn't bother to update his shipping info with ebay or paypal. So my
friend had to ship the item again to this guy to his new place and the buyer had to pay an additional
$80 in shipping charges, which he reluctantly agreed to. The whole transaction took
two months. My friend, the seller, had to go to the post office at least three times
during the deal. Had to fill out custom forms twice. PITA transaction.

swartz1

I will only ship outside of the states if payment is made with cash or money order...

msassin

<< <i>I will only ship outside of the states if payment is made with cash or money order... >>



That a handful of solid prior Canadian customers are pretty much what USPS/PayPal have let me to as well.

Jakt

Regarding the Global Shipping Option...... It is NOT the default international shipping option. I missed this and have since sold some stuff to a buyer in the Netherlands. It's a repeat customer so it shouldn't be a problem. But, IF you choose to sell internationally, make sure you check the box for Global Shipping. Lesson learned on my end.

WalterSobchak

Unless you're doing it to make a living, life's too short for the aggravation associated with international shipping. Just one man's opinion.

cavalier

If he wants you to falsify information on customs documents -- in a word DON'T

One way we deal with larger international transactions that the buyer wants marked low is we request paypal payment as a gift, then you send the item to them as a gift.
No fees for them -- no chance you lose any money. Of course some are reluctant to do it for obvious reasons.

**********************************************************************************************************************************
Cavalier Cards Ebay

Archaninator

.

Mapleleaf

I've never had a problem with overseas bidders. They are usually very happy to get items they otherwise have no access to.

I have no problem with putting a $10 value on a card that 99.9999% of the worlds population wouldn't give you 2 cents for it.
When selling esoteric collectibles, there is usually only 1 in a million that have the money and will buy it and sometimes they live overseas.

EchoCanyon

Ask if they have a friend in the US. Ship to them, and let that person lie to customs.

72skywalker

Thanks. i told him I did not want to lie on the form and couldn't ship to Brazil. There is still enough watchers and bidders to keep the interest level high. The item by the way is a walking Dead figure of Daryl Dixon.