buyer requests declaring lower price to avoid import duties

[2611geoff]

Hi All , just sold an item that i thought would be posted to the US---buyer ID stated that they resided in theUS.

Paypal payment showed shipping address to be Turkey.

Message left with that payment requested the following

"dear sir , please mark value  X$ on declaration to avoid problems at Turkish customs , otherwise they hold items and ask for bribes and usually items get lost"

**bleep**.

Where does this leave me?

The buyer is registered in the US has 200 transactions , 100%

I fear sending the item to Turkey ,  if it all goes pear shaped ,  i lose product and money.

Any thoughts

Regards

[curraone]

just a few thoughts:    if it was me I would not complete the transaction

I would write to the buyer and point out that his request is against ebay policy:  

http://pages.ebay.com.au/help/pay/international-shipping-rules.html

Generally, buyers pay additional costs such as duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees. To avoid problems, make sure that your listing clearly states this. You can copy and paste this directly into your listing:

International buyers – please note: Import duties, taxes, and charges aren’t included in the item price or postage cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility.

Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.

If you receive negative or neutral Feedback from the buyer about having to pay import duties and taxes, we may remove the Feedback. Find about more Feedback which refers to customs delays or customs fees.

Note: It's illegal to falsify customs declarations or mark an item as a "gift" in order to avoid customs fees. If a buyer asks you to commit customs fraud, report it to us.

I would advise the buyer that I am not happy to post to Turkey.

Has the buyer paid by paypal (the only acceptable international method)?   If so is the shipping address in fact  Turkey?

Any future listings I would be very careful to mark which countries if you post to.

[2611geoff]

Hi currone , thanks for your reply.

My first response was to not complete the deal , but that would leave me exposed to -ve feedback , i treasure 100%.

Your right ,  it is against Ebay policy and you think he would be aware of that.

He paid via Paypal  , and yes the billing address was Turkey---i did expect US address as his Ebay ID states he resides in the US---he may have dual citizenship and currenly be in Turkey.

What concerned me was , that should i proceed and the Turkey customs ,  as he suggested "would ask for bribes and then suddenly lose the item" if he doesn't comply , i'm out in the cold and i'd have to refund his money and lose the item---i'm sure Paypal/Ebay seller protection would be void.

When i listed and chose to post worldwide , the listing process did not allow selecting which countries to select.---just worldwide or no international post.

From his feedback he seems a good guy---200 and 100%.

Were all guilty of trying to save a dollar!!!!

Regards

[imastawka]

From his feedback he seems a good guy---200 and 100%.

Just keep in mind that buyers can't have less than 100%

so that means nothing in the long run

[lyndal1838]

The paypal address is the delivery address.....the item may be going to a friend or relative.

Don't under any circumstances alter the value on the Customs Declaration....it is an offence in Australia, nothing to do with ebay policies.

If you do decide to send the item make sure it is sent by trackable post with full insurance.   If you can prove that it has been held by Customs for any reason or no reason at all you will have Seller Protection...the buyer will not have a leg to stand on.

[2611geoff]

Hi , thanks for the replies , forgot about the 100% for buyers , he only had 2 negs in 12 years and they were pretty tame.

The postage allowed for in the transaction was " registered post international" , and from memory  , extra cover and tracking were not available.

Your right lyndal , no way would i declare less than value.

I thought all i needed for seller protection was "proof of shipment".

Thanks for your interest and help.

Regards

[lyndal1838]

If the buyer bought through the US site then any dispute is based on the policies of that site.....you will need proof of delivery for paypal protection.

If you cannot get tracking and insurance you might think twice about sending the item.

[2611geoff]

Hi lindal , i just checked Paypals seller protection policy and it only states "valid proof of shipment" .

How can i determine which site he bought from?

Regards

[lyndal1838]

If he is in the USA and your item was listed for overseas sales then it is a pretty sure bet that he was on the US site when he bought and they definitely require proof of delivery.

Sorry, I am not a seller so I really don't know how you can tell for sure.

[imastawka]

Not sure, but if the sale comes up with $AU, it was purchased on the US site?

On the Aussie site it wouldn't