Sellers thoughts on declaring lower value on Intl packages?

[LyonsArcade]

Once in awhile I get a customer who asks me to put a specific value on a package that is far lower than the selling price. I know they are trying to save on import fees/taxes.

I have only done this on a few occassions and to only existing customers. I know this brings up ethical and legal issues. Im signing a customs form swearing under oath that the value is genuine. If I do this I can only insure it for the declared value. So if there is an issue with damage or the package goes missing we are in a sticky situation as sellers. Even if the buyer has told us in writing to lower the value and we have proof of it they will win a paypal dispute according to my paypal rep.

Case in point I have a potential newbie customer from Italy who is all bent out of shape that I wont declare his ArcadeSD for $20! Ya dont think that would go bad for me if it got damaged or lost? Then he throws some 9/11 comments out there that I took great offense to even though he later claimed it wasnt meant as such. Yeah right. I wont do things the way you want and you throw 9/11 comments at me and Im supposed to take them as harmless?

What do you sellers normally do when they ask for a declared value lower than the selling price? btw, Ive been selling art since 2000 and never had someone get pissy with me over not wanting to do it.

Darin, not to be all super american myself, but Italy throws up a red flag. Their postal system is shitty and they not only lose things all the time, they steal things all the time. Even if you don't change the value on the customs form, when they see that it's worth 300 bucks they may steal it. I've heard that for years about the Italian post office.

 

[channelmanic]

NEVER.... NEVER... and NEVER...

It's not worth it. I ship too many packages overseas to risk getting on some shitlist for lying on customs forms when there is a packing slip inside each and EVERY package of parts sent listing what was purchased and how much it was purchased for.

RJ

 

[aeroflott]

Its an endless debate I guess. Living in the UK, customs charges are an issue.

Case in point, the recent Missile Command control panels produced by Troy. I purchased one along with a fellow UK forum member here. We payed up front, and our respective items were shipped on the same day. I can't remember what the declared value was, but mine came straight through and delivered with no additional charges. His was held up in customs hell for three weeks here in the UK, and he's received a letter from them asking for additional fees to release his panel.

Often its the luck of the draw as to whether your item gets held up, opened and searched, and you are screwed for customs charges.

That said, if its an old board we are talking about for example, the value is subjective. If I win a US Ebay auction and pay say $200 for a DK board, is that the true market value? Who is to say what I've paid for it, or indeed what the market value of that 30 year old piece of electronics actually is?

I usually ask the question if a seller is willing to help out with the declaration, but completely understand if that's not possible. As someone else has said, if you can't bite the bullet with potential customs charges, then you shouldn't be buying.

TT

 

[mhkohne]

<snip>
That said, if its an old board we are talking about for example, the value is subjective. If I win a US Ebay auction and pay say $200 for a DK board, is that the true market value? Who is to say what I've paid for it, or indeed what the market value of that 30 year old piece of electronics actually is?
<snip>
TT

From the point of view of the customs guys, the board is worth exactly what you paid for it. The value of something (for them) is it's fair market value, and what better way is there to determine that value than a public auction? This isn't about real value - it's about what value is assigned for tax purposes, nothing more. As long as no one actually investigates, they'll never know if you short the value a bit, but frankly why take any risk at all? I always declare the actual value, and let the receiver work it out.

 

[tb lilley]

From the point of view of the customs guys, the board is worth exactly what you paid for it. The value of something (for them) is it's fair market value, and what better way is there to determine that value than a public auction? This isn't about real value - it's about what value is assigned for tax purposes, nothing more. As long as no one actually investigates, they'll never know if you short the value a bit, but frankly why take any risk at all? I always declare the actual value, and let the receiver work it out.

I'm the guy who had UK customs grab my Missile Command control panel. I'm cool with it. They've asked for me to give the item a value, and have asked for proof e.g. paypal record of payment etc. I'm cool with that too - I'm not going to lie about it - It's always a risk that something I import from the US will cop for customs charges, but it's a risk I'm happy to take. Don't think I've ever asked a seller to mark the value down on a package. Odd thing is that some sellers do so unprompted.

 

[Mitsurugi-w]

I'm curious what exactly he said about 9/11.

Also, I've had a postal worker tell me to mark as a gift before also.

 

[saleem]

i thought italy had a bad rep for postage and when you go and put its worth $20 if you have to claim for it then wont you only get $20 in claim?

uk customs are real stingers for tax and a lot is actualy the postal service/courier charge for collecting the tax.

nice if someone marks an item for $25 even if i payed $60 for it.