Customs value on International Items

[KD35durant]

I just sold an eBay item for 70 dollars on eBay, but the buyer has requested that when i send it i don't declare the value to be more than 25 dollars so he doesn't have to pay a lot of customs fees. What do you guys think about that? Should i do that, or would that somehow jeopardize how they ship it/take care of it/the safety of the item?

Thanks a lot!

[Velvet Hoop]

I'm going to assume he knew what he was getting into when he purchased the card... I would do everything on the up-and-up being that it would be annoying to be stuck for $70 with nothing you can do about it. Have him pay for tracking, declare everything correctly, and cover all your bases. If he refuses to pay, just file a claim and offer a 2nd chance to the next highest bidder.

[spuds1961]

I personally wouldn't do it,what's to say he says he never received,instead of you getting reimbursed 70 dollars you would only get back 25.

[GreyDawn]

I personally wouldn't do it,what's to say he says he never received,instead of you getting reimbursed 70 dollars you would only get back 25.

Unless you have insurance it doesn't really matter anyways.

It's totally up to the seller, but unless you're an established business claiming taxes on it or for insurance purposes it is really no harm for the seller to mark it down and as gift. The customs form value on lettermail is really only used on the other country's side. It's not like it effects the value it sold for on ebay or anything.

(I am in Canada so yes I am biased but this is true).

[boombaby_rm31]

is it the same to you guys in the US?

[hairyangryfella]

It depends where it's shipping to... when I lived in England they charged VAT (quite a high tax) on anything over a certain value... so it's a b**ch when receiving cards (as they hold it at the post office until you go and pay). However most other places it shouldn't matter, I know that in NZ unless it's over $1000NZ it shouldn't be charged for anything.
It also depends on if you're paying for insurance - ie if you will lose out if it goes missing and you only get $25 back...

[KD35durant]

The shipping is to France. and ya even tho it may be annoying for him i feel like i should keep things straight up and put what its really worth and all that good stuff. it sucks that it'll be more expensive for him but i don't wanna screw myself.

[jdawg]

i always mark the customs forms for the nearest whole dollar amount that the auction sold for..they know when bidding about their own individual taxes they will have to pay and its not your obligation to risk your money and or card to make them pay less....look at it this way...if it gets lost and they ask you to mark lets use 100 dollar card down as a 20 dollar card and the card sells for 65 would the buyer let you off with just paying the 20 he asked you to mark as the declared value or would he want the full 65 back...we both know the answer to that question...like those idiots on judge judy who paid 2000 for a car and marked it down on the bill of sale for 100 for tax purposes and when the buyer went to sue he had it marked down as being worth 100 bucks so that was his judgement lol