I always check other because a wise woman once told me that I could get into some serious trouble for lying by saying it was a gift.

If it's not a "gift" then don't label it as such... you can get into some SERIOUS trouble through USPS with that- google it if you would like some more info on it.

Visit My Blog! Melissa BTDL

I have had Canadian buyers ask me to check the gift option on the customs form, but I won't do it. It is like the others have said.... not worth getting into trouble over. Where you have to put the value of the item on the form, put only what it sold for. Don't add the cost of the shipping to that amount. Also if it is something that sold for less than the retail value ... also only put what it sold for in the value box not the retail value. Canadians have to pay the customs fee on top of the cost of the item and the shipping. I feel sorry for them, but we cannot risk getting into trouble to save them a few dollars. What you can do is to add in some "freebies" and little "thank you" gifts into the package to make up for their extra costs and to keep them coming back as buyers. Do not put in your auction listing that you are adding freebies or gifts to the winning bidder. That is ... unless I'm mistaken ... not allowed by ebay. Not sure. So check on that before you put anything like that in your aucion listing description. Good Luck! * Sharlotte * Are you in a group? Ask me about joining ScrapaDeeDooDah ... a just for fun group of scrappers.

Sharlotte

In some countries it is only about $50.00 which seems really low to me.

I did have one foreign buyer that had a good idea. She had me ship two separate packages. One to her husband's name and one to her name. It lessened the price of each package, the postage was about the same and we didn't do anything illegal. I hadn't thought about shipping two separate packages one to yourself and one to your spouse. But it is just an idea.

I've been asked to mark as a gift but I absolutely will not. It's their government's rules, not ours. I won't cheat and I won't lie. I'd rather not sell than play that game. And it is a U.S. federal offense to falsify customs documents. Even comes under Homeland Security. You don't want some U.S. Marshal knocking on your door, do you? LOL

GPSA Glass & Pottery Sellers' Association * NAVT
Needle Arts & Vintage Textiles Board * Facebook
Group Blocked Bidders List - eBay BBL

Do you think that sending half to you and half to your spouse could still get you into trouble? I don't think I thought of it as anything bad? Will have to give that one some thought.

Arleen, I'm not sure what you mean?

No I don't usually include a packing slip with my orders. But I list the value of each envelope separately on the customs form. So each envelope tells whats inside that particular envelope along with the cost of that envelope.

This is MMS Flakes, US Customs been holding it in NY for 10 days

 

 

US Customs is Holding this item in New York since 18th RR117224756TR Processed Through Sort Facility May 18, 2012, 2:36 pm ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS) Registered Mail™ Origin Post is Preparing Shipment Processed Through Sort Facility May 16, 2012, 5:00 pm ISTANBUL, TURKEY Processed Through Sort Facility "