Customs charges because seller has put wrong declared value on declaration.. Help please?

[*wraith_hunter*]

Hi All,

Is there anything I can do if a seller puts the wrong declared value on a parcel that results in the parcel getting charged duty?

Long story short I purchased an item off eBay Australia & paid $250AUD plus postage & insurance of $80AUD. The seller who is based in the US has put the declared value as $550USD. The listing was in AUD & I paid in AUD. I received the Customs bill when I got home tonight & they are wanting $170NZD ($130AUD approx).

I checked on the Customs online duty calculator with the amount I paid (including shipping) and it came back that no duty was required. 

What normally happens in this situation? Can I get customs to wipe the duty by providing proof of payment? or is the seller liable to pay the duty seeing as they put the wrong amount on the customs declaration?

Thanks in advance 🙂

[lyndal1838]

Do you know anything about New Zealand Customs catspjs?

If not, why are you speculating about how it is worked out.?

[thecatspjs]

Lyndal if you think that contacting that seller is the wrong thing to do - so be it.  I don't care.  I am making a suggestion to the OP.

Sometimes things that seem confusing are simple paperwork errors - but without communication with seller - the OP will not know.  I recently made an error on a customs form, that was rectified via communication that included with my buyer.

Why you did not suggest this yourself I do not know.  But I suppose it is consistent with your approach to any question on the board. 

[*wraith_hunter*]

According to the info on the bill the seller has classed it correctly, the only issue is with the declared value. Maybe the seller mistook my parcel with another & put the wrong values on both by mistake. I'm not saying they've done this on purpose.

The item retails for $280 full price in Australia, less in the US, so it's not worth the declared value.

I emailed the seller first asking them to confirm the value they put on the customs dec. Just awaiting a reply.

Lyndall - I understand buyers are responsible for customs duties but don't see why they should be made to pay extra because the seller has inflated the declared value (whether by mistake or on purpose). Would you be happy if I sent a parcel to you that was worth $1000 but put $2000 on it so you got charged extra by Australian Customs?

Just for the record I am happy to pay any duty that maybe required on the true value/purchase price of this item.

Thanks again everyone I really appreciate the help.

[*crikey*mate*]

what did eBay say?

[thecatspjs]

I have my fingers crossed for you that it is just a seller paperwork glitch that can be sorted out pretty quickly for you if the seller is cooperative.

[lyndal1838]

Try producing the ebay invoice, along with a copy of the whole listing to show that it is indeed the same item.  Also, if you can find a local advertisement for the same item, produce that as well.

I can not vouch for NZ Customs, but Australian Customs will review their assessments if you can demonstrate that it is wrong.  My daughter works for an international freight company and deals with Customs all the time....they are reasonable if they have made a mistake.

[thecatspjs]

Mmmm .... interesting to see change in approach to advice to OP by poster.

[lyndal1838]

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@thecatspjs wrote:
Mmmm .... interesting to see change in approach to advice to OP by poster.

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I presume you are sniping at me again.

No change in approach.....the OP is dealing with New Zealand Customs so I still believe they should contact them, not ask for advice on the Australian boards.

But as everyone wants to put in their 2 cents worth I have offered information on how it would be handled here by someone who is dealing with Customs all the time.

[thecatspjs]

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@lyndal1838 wrote:

You are asking the wrong people here....we are in Australia and even the higher amount that the seller declared would not attract duty here.

I suggest you ring the NZ Customs people and ask what can be done, if anything.

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Not sure about the "wrong people" comment .... nor the "we" are in Australia comment.  There are many NZ community members that trade via ebay.com.au and use the au boards to seek advice about ebay sales and associated issues. 

Based on the information provided by the OP, it appears that higher amount that the seller has declared has indeed put the goods at a value that is attracting duty.

Yes, I think contacting NZ Customs is one of the steps that the OP should take.

[thecatspjs]

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@lyndal1838 wrote:

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@thecatspjs wrote:
Mmmm .... interesting to see change in approach to advice to OP by poster.

---

I presume you are sniping at me again.

No change in approach.....the OP is dealing with New Zealand Customs so I still believe they should contact them, not ask for advice on the Australian boards.

But as everyone wants to put in their 2 cents worth I have offered information on how it would be handled here by someone who is dealing with Customs all the time.

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I made a comment in response to your comments.

As noted in my previous post, many NZ members trade via ebay.com.au and use the boards 

I find the "everyone wants to put in their 2 cents worth" comment patronising to all the posters who have provided comment and advice on this thread.