Re: Customs charges because seller has put wrong d...

*wraith_hunter* · ‎27-09-2013

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 · ‎27-09-2013

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.

*wraith_hunter* · ‎27-09-2013

I will contact them on Monday but if there's nothing they can do is there action via eBay or Paypal?

Both my accounts are registered in Australia (I am Aussie, just in NZ for a short stay). So I am assuming that it'll be eBay au & Paypal's AU policies that will apply (if there is any policies that apply).

*crikey*mate* · ‎27-09-2013

If you're quick, you can call eBay now (or have them call you)

I think they work till 8pm.

up there ^^^^ top right => customer support

Some people can go their whole lives and never really live for a single minute.

*crikey*mate* · ‎27-09-2013

I just checked - it says 9pm on a Friday

here's a link

http://ocsnext.ebay.com.au/ocs/cuhome

Some people can go their whole lives and never really live for a single minute.

*wraith_hunter* · ‎27-09-2013

Thank you, I've just requested a call back 🙂

phorum_junkie* · ‎27-09-2013

Customs charges are nothing to do with Paypal or ebay and they will be unable to do anything about it.

You may have paid less for the item but if it is worth the declared value then the seller was correct to give that figure.

____________________________________________________
It says in this book I am reading that by 2065 80% of women will be overweight.

See what a trendsetter I am?

davewil1964 · ‎27-09-2013

Disagree.

By definition the item is worth what the OP paid for it.

lyndal1838 · ‎27-09-2013

The value declared for Customs should be whatever was paid for the item....the amount that is on the invoice.

There is nothing that ebay or paypal can do for you....Customs duties are always the responsibility of the buyer, which most sellers state in their listings.

thecatspjs · ‎27-09-2013

Have you contacted the seller to clarify the apparent error with value declaration.

Doesn't it depend on the type of goods it is, before anyone can assess if there is duty payable. Maybe the seller has coded declaration incorrectly?

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