Shipping to japan
CoinMaster1229
Posts: 1,092 ✭✭
I sold 4 first Spouse Gold Coins on E-bay to a buyer from japan. this Buyer has 100% positive feedback but has only been a member since 1/2012 and has only 6 total feedbacks. Paypal does not have a confirmed address for this buyer.
I recieved this mesage from him.
Hi, I was sent $3898 (the additional $38 is for USPS fees to Japan) to your paypal account. If possible please ship today (I prefer USPS Int'l Priority Mail Padded Envelope to make sure it delivered in save, see shipping instruction below). Shipping address is:
XXXXXX XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Japan
Since this item will be shipped half of the world, make sure to pack it carefully. Do not forget to inform me with the tracking number when item shipped out. Give me also your number, will call only in case I can't reach you via email. I'm waiting for reply. Thank
Shipping Instruction: I don't need its box or certificate (so you may remove or not it from shipping), since I don't believe graded coin and hence to make faster delivery and to reduce shipping, you may insert all of 4 coins in a small (but padded) envelope. With this option, you no need to declare invoice value. As far I know USPS Priority provide no insurance. However, if you ship it as "business document", with or without insurance, then once package out of US, all of the rest is my responsibility as long as it shipped via Priority Mail with tracking number. My experience shows that any type of this shipment always delivered with no problem and faster too. In the case that insurance is an issue, you may also ship by USPS Registered Mail (but less preferred due to its delay) which offers insurance and require recipient signature
Not sure what to do?
I recieved this mesage from him.
Hi, I was sent $3898 (the additional $38 is for USPS fees to Japan) to your paypal account. If possible please ship today (I prefer USPS Int'l Priority Mail Padded Envelope to make sure it delivered in save, see shipping instruction below). Shipping address is:
XXXXXX XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Japan
Since this item will be shipped half of the world, make sure to pack it carefully. Do not forget to inform me with the tracking number when item shipped out. Give me also your number, will call only in case I can't reach you via email. I'm waiting for reply. Thank
Shipping Instruction: I don't need its box or certificate (so you may remove or not it from shipping), since I don't believe graded coin and hence to make faster delivery and to reduce shipping, you may insert all of 4 coins in a small (but padded) envelope. With this option, you no need to declare invoice value. As far I know USPS Priority provide no insurance. However, if you ship it as "business document", with or without insurance, then once package out of US, all of the rest is my responsibility as long as it shipped via Priority Mail with tracking number. My experience shows that any type of this shipment always delivered with no problem and faster too. In the case that insurance is an issue, you may also ship by USPS Registered Mail (but less preferred due to its delay) which offers insurance and require recipient signature
Not sure what to do?
0
Comments
In other words, this seems risky to me, but I don't ship overseas at all.
And I don't even know if you can get it going to Japan especially when evading customs duties as he has requested.
Many members on this forum that now it cannot fit in my signature. Please ask for entire list.
There is more then enough buyers in country and the risk is far lower. Pay pal protects the buyer a lot more then the seller so make 100% certain you are doing everything right.
USPS has rather spotty and inconsistent tracking for international even more so. Good luck on this.
I can also say that Japanese Customs levies a large tax on gold, so that may be what he wants to avoid.
Can you tell if the name is Japanese (if not, PM me)? In my own opinion, a Japanese person is probably incapable of lying.
I also wouldn't send gold (or any coins) in a padded envelope, especially overseas. I've had coins go missing in these. A box with paper tape (as you would pack a Registered Mail item) is the only way to ship something like this.
This is just funny.....
He can say this but if it's lost or he says he never signed for it wouldn't paypal refund him and you're out your coins?
<< <i>However, if you ship it as "business document", with or without insurance, then once package out of US, all of the rest is my responsibility as long as it shipped via Priority Mail with tracking number. >>
<< <i>yes i may just refund payment and relist us shipping only! >>
Why bother with all the potential issues.
<< <i>Having lived several years in Japan, I can say that in general, the Japanese are scrupulously honest people. Of course, there are scammers everywhere, so you do need to be careful.
I can also say that Japanese Customs levies a large tax on gold, so that may be what he wants to avoid.
Can you tell if the name is Japanese (if not, PM me)? In my own opinion, a Japanese person is probably incapable of lying.
I also wouldn't send gold (or any coins) in a padded envelope, especially overseas. I've had coins go missing in these. A box with paper tape (as you would pack a Registered Mail item) is the only way to ship something like this. >>
i think you bring up a good point. having communicated with people around the world for nearly half my life i can say 99% of those experiences have been great. it is VERY rarely i have a problem with the other person and actually most of them were generous with me which was a very pleasant surprise. it is the risk of all the crazy, greedy, dangerous etc a-holes one must circumnavigate to get to those honest people that poses the problem.
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<< <i>yes i may just refund payment and relist us shipping only! >>
Personally, I find this solution, with no real red flags, to be a weasel thing to do. You didn't specify it to start with. You aren't new on the forums, and likely aren't new on ebay, so it isn't like you weren't aware of the selection to do "US only" to start with.
There are plenty of sellers here who have shipped worldwide and could likely give you good advice on doing so (ask someone like Airplanenut). Talk to your post office and get advice.
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
I have had no luck shipping out of the US and refuse to do it anymore especially with that much money at stake.
<< <i>However, if you ship it as "business document", with or without insurance, then once package out of US, all of the rest is my responsibility as long as it shipped via Priority Mail with tracking number. >>
PayPal will almost certainly not agree that "the rest is my [the buyer's] responsibility" should the package go missing and the buyer files a PayPal claim. Is it worth the risk? I don't know, but the buyer has already started out by asking you to falsify customs documents for his benefit.
<< <i>In the case that insurance is an issue, you may also ship by USPS Registered Mail (but less preferred due to its delay) which offers insurance and require recipient signature. >>
Be aware that even though you declare the full value on an international registered mail shipment, the maximum amount that will be paid in the event of a loss is about $47.
edited to add... if the buyer is trying to reassure you about insuring the package, he might have mentioned the payout limit on registered mail. Too bad he didn't.
edited yet again... the first thing you have to ask yourself here is- in the event you ship the package as requested and it goes missing, do you trust the buyer to eat the loss as he said he would?
Now, normally I would suggest putting these in a flat rate express envelope and insuring privately (Aib express is one option for pretty good rates... I use the, when I have to insure a package beyond the limits of my shipping insurance policy). If the package is under 8 oz, shipping outside tout the flat rate envelope will be a few bucks cheaper. However, in this case, there are a few other considerations that will require you to split the package:
1- there is an enormous amout of electronic paperwork to send an international package worth more than $2500. If you don't do this with regularity, don't spend the time to figure it out. It's a nightmare to get going. And yes, customs wil send the package back if you don't do the paperwork, so don't waste your time ignoring it. Send two packages worth under $2500 each.
2- I'm assuming the coins are graded. Don't crack them. Even if the buyer says to, PayPal won't accept that request for alteration, so if the buyer files a SNAD, you're on the hook. Send the coins exactly as they were listed.
3- do not lie on the customs form. If you agree to do this, you can get in trouble with ebay and PayPal in the event something goes wrong. Is not worth it.
4- insurance covers you, and it's not worth the risk to not get it. A buyer can say what he wants, but PayPal doesn't care. If he goes against his word, you're out the money.
5- I just don't like priority international. Express is better, and I ship everything of value that way. Just tell the buyer you need the package insured and can't get insurance in priority.
All this said, I agree with the earlier comment that Japanese buyer are basically as good as they come. I like to protect myself by not generalizing, but I can't think if a time when it seemed like I could do my wrong to a Japanese buyer. Their culture is geared heavily toward being ethical beyond reproach.
So in conclusion, send two packages via express mail, get private insurance, and you should be fine. You will need the buyer to send more shipping money, though, as it will cost much more than $38.
<< <i>4- insurance covers you, and it's not worth the risk to not get it. A buyer can say what he wants, but PayPal doesn't care. If he goes against his word, you're out the money. >>
Worth repeating. I have shipped hundreds of packages out of the country over the years with little trouble. In the few cases where a package never arrived, every single buyer contacted me with the expectation that I reimburse his payment. Not a single one has offered to take the loss. Maybe the buyer in the OP is different- anything's possible, but are you willing to lose nearly $4000 finding out for sure?
<< <i>
<< <i>4- insurance covers you, and it's not worth the risk to not get it. A buyer can say what he wants, but PayPal doesn't care. If he goes against his word, you're out the money. >>
Worth repeating. I have shipped hundreds of packages out of the country over the years with little trouble. In the few cases where a package never arrived, every single buyer contacted me with the expectation that I reimburse his payment. Not a single one has offered to take the loss. Maybe the buyer in the OP is different- anything's possible, but are you willing to lose nearly $4000 finding out for sure? >>
The difference here is that the buyer said he'd cover the risk. I get buyers who say that quite often, and I tel them that however much I trust them, if they are paying through PayPal, I am beholden to Paypal's rules which don't let the transfer of risk occur. A buyer can say whatever he wants and then file a claim because his word didn't mean anything to PayPal. The only time I could transfer the risk is if a buyer sent payment by mail or bank wire. In that case, PayPal is no longer involved and eBay doesn't offer protection. If the buyer takes responsibility there, he is actually responsible.
<< <i>The difference here is that the buyer said he'd cover the risk. >>
I've had buyers tell me that, too. As you noted, PayPal doesn't care about what a buyer says he'll do.
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With this option, you no need to declare invoice value. As far I know USPS Priority provide no insurance. However, if you ship it as "business document",