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Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
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Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Aug 23, 2006 05:37 AM
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All sellers should make sure they read this new announcement about properly declaring selling prices on customs declaration form:
***Reporting Value on Customs Declarations***
August 22, 2006 | 01:59PM PST/PT
Postal administrations in several international countries have contacted the United States Postal Service about the declaration of value placed on customs forms. They have noted that in many cases, the declared value is understated when compared to the actual invoice or known value of the item, especially for sales conducted over the internet.
While this applies to sellers both on and off eBay, the USPS has asked us to remind our sellers to declare the proper value on all customs forms.
The correct value of each item is required on customs forms as it helps determine the proper duties and taxes, and whether they should be applied. Some countries will soon begin taking steps to address this issue, such as levying fines on the addressee when the declared value is
determined to be lower than the invoice.
To make sure you're complying with international regulations, please make sure the stated value on your customs declaration is supported by your invoices or other documentation.
You can also send this to buyers who ask you to report items as gifts.
The length of a minute is dependent on which side of the bathroom door you are located.
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(1 of 1,480)
Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Aug 23, 2006 05:40 AM
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This is a good one to save and send back to people who ask to put gift on the forms.
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feedback tools, and many more! Time and money savers for all!
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(2 of 1,480)
Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Aug 23, 2006 05:40 AM
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I'm glad they announced this, and now I have extra "ammo" for buyers who request I lie on customs forms, which I will not do, and give me a hard time for refusing. This is also why I include an invoice with every international shipment.
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(3 of 1,480)
Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Aug 23, 2006 05:41 AM
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Ha!! Just saw that you said exactly that at the bottom ofyour post. great minds run on the same track!
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Check free seller tools on my "me" page: hourly counters, auction templates, image hosts, business cards, feedback tools, and many more! Time and money savers for all!
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Check free seller tools on my page:hourly counters, auction templates, image hosts, business cards,
feedback tools, and many more! Time and money savers for all!
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(4 of 1,480)
Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Aug 23, 2006 05:46 AM
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Hi All-
I have a quick question - is the declared value the selling price or the ARV? Sometimes items sell for way less than the known value and if you put the sale price on it it will be less than the known value.
Just to be clear...
Angela
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(5 of 1,480)
Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Aug 23, 2006 05:49 AM
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They have noted that in many cases, the declared value is understated when compared to the actual invoice or known value of the item, especially for sales conducted over the internet.
Angela, it take this to mean that the price on the invoice is the value on the item.
An item is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
**Loud Pipes Save Lives - Motorcycles Are Everywhere - Look Twice, Save a Life**
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(6 of 1,480)
Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Aug 23, 2006 05:51 AM
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I think it might have been a good idea if they also mentioned that the value does not include shipping. I know the sellers here know it, but not all new sellers do.
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(7 of 1,480)
Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Aug 23, 2006 05:51 AM
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Also, it is important to note on the Customs Form if an item is 'used' as opposed to new. Customs agents are aware that used items, even if they appear virtually new, will generally have a lower perceived value than new items. If an item is used and the form is marked as such, it can speed the customs process.
**Loud Pipes Save Lives - Motorcycles Are Everywhere - Look Twice, Save a Life**
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(8 of 1,480)
Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Aug 23, 2006 06:01 AM
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(9 of 1,480)
Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Aug 24, 2006 08:44 AM
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is the declared value the selling price or the ARV?
The declared value is the ending bid price - no shipping.
It is what would appear on your invoice if you add one to the box.
The length of a minute is dependent on which side of the bathroom door you are located.
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(10 of 1,480)
Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Aug 24, 2006 09:00 AM
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Can a pink tack this to the top of the page? We get at least one person a week posting here that someone has asked them to lie on the customs form. 
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(11 of 1,480)
Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Aug 24, 2006 09:39 AM
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It would be great if a pink could tack this, but I think seller central is currently pink-less. They've abandoned us.
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(12 of 1,480)
Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Aug 25, 2006 02:48 PM
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Hi everyone,
I was just swinging by and saw your request - this thread has been tacked to the upper part of the board.
Have a good one!
Zigmund
Community Development
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(13 of 1,480)
Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Aug 27, 2006 11:40 AM
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it is important to note on the Customs Form if an item is 'used' as opposed to new.
Great idea! I will start doing just that.
I had an astute buyer from England ask me to put the word "antique" on the custom's form. Since it was indeed a very old Kestner doll, I did so. Something about special handling through customs for antique items.
Just for the record, I have NEVER had a buyer ask me to lie on a custom form. I state in my TOS that "All customs and declaration forms will be filled out accurately and honestly."
 
It's OK to be crazy, just don't let it drive ya nuts!
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(14 of 1,480)
Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Aug 30, 2006 10:37 AM
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Thanks for tacking this, zigmund.
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(15 of 1,480)
Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Sep 1, 2006 01:45 PM
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I have a buddy who sold an item for $950 on eBay to a buyer in Germany. The buyer asked for a value to be listed of $40 on the customs form. My buddy didn't think that was a problem so he marked that on the form. Long story short: German customs seized the item for being undervalued. The buyer never got his item. The buyer filed a PayPal dispute, but because my buddy had proof the item had been shipped, the buyer was out $950 and had no item.
So the moral of the story is: not only can the buyer expect to pay higher duty if he is caught, he may end up losing the item to boot.
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(16 of 1,480)
Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Sep 1, 2006 07:54 PM
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I quit selling to Canada because of the constant requests for a reduced value (or gift designation) on the customs declaration and invoice. I wouldn't do it but resented the conflict it caused. Maybe I can reconsider expanding my sales outside the US with eBay's support to honest declarations.
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(17 of 1,480)
Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Sep 2, 2006 08:31 PM
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I haven't had anyone ask me to lie for years, but I still put it in all my listings that "all customs forms are completed accurately".
Does it bug anyone else that there is no "merchandise" checkbox on the customs forms now, though? "Gift", "Commercial Sample" etc...but I always have to check "Other" and then explain.
Lastly, I don't understand why anyone would agree to lie for someone who has already paid for an item (or hasn't for that matter). What does any seller have to gain from lying? Keep it professional, people!
~paddle
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(18 of 1,480)
Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Sep 3, 2006 07:16 PM
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That is a very interesting post on "quitting selling to canada".
I would like everyone to see my post in on the ebay canada profitability thread, where I have attacked the Canadian policy as protectionist vs the USA policy, and taht in the spirit of our supposed free trade agreement, both countries should have the same duty free mail order rate pegged at 200.00 US like it aleady is in the USA.
As a Canadian I have never asked anyone for an underdeclaration, but the complete ridulousness of the Canadian limit, as well as the cash windfall for courier companies is hampering both american and canadian seller profitability, as well as ebays profits.
FYI>
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(19 of 1,480)
Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Sep 4, 2006 09:07 AM
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where I have attacked the Canadian policy as protectionist vs the USA policyCanadian protectionism? What short memories we have. For starters, there was softwood lumber, which has now apparently been settled, with Canada coming out on the losing end. And just to rub a little salt in the wound, the USDA has announced "emergency" measures that involve charging every Canadian arriving by air an extra $5.00, plus a fee for each aircraft, supposedly to cover the costs of potential "bioterrorism". Give me a break. If that isn't protectionism, then I will eat a dangerous Chilean apple, core, peel and all. As to profitability of US sellers, they seem to be doing quite well with or without us. Just as long as they don't inflate the amount reported on the customs form, for insurance purposes.
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(20 of 1,480)
Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Sep 8, 2006 08:22 AM
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I just sold an item under $200 and shipped to England. I marked the customs forms "Merchandise" and paid the fee USPS required. Customer now states that she needs to pay an additional fee because paperwork was marked "Merchandise" and not "Used" and that it was MY cost because it was MY mistake! There was no "Used" block on the form, and I've never had anyone tell me they had to pay extra. What's the deal here???
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(21 of 1,480)
Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Sep 9, 2006 10:08 AM
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Your buyer is responsible for customs fees, not you. Anything sold on ebay and shipped outside the US needs to be marked as "merchandise" or "other" (on the new forms), regardless if it's new or used.
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(22 of 1,480)
Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Sep 10, 2006 08:07 AM
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I marked the customs forms "Merchandise" and paid the fee USPS required. Customer now states that she needs to pay an additional fee because paperwork was marked "Merchandise" and not "Used" and that it was MY cost because it was MY mistake!You didnt make a mistake. Even if it was marked USED its still merchandise and when you marked it merchandise you marked it correctly. You need to explain that to your buyer. I always check OTHER on the form then write the word "Merchandise" on the blank line.
Anything sold on ebay and shipped outside the US needs to be marked as "merchandise" or "other" (on the new forms), regardless if it's new or used. Yep, exactly.
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(23 of 1,480)
Read The New Announcement on Customs Declaration Forms
Sep 10, 2006 10:44 AM
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are we talking long form or short form? I have always had to use the short form with the white on one side and green on the other. I have always put video game and what the cost of the item was minus shipping. Am I doing it right?
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