Paying customs fee?

[Spectrum]

A customer bought a pony from me internationally, and was charged customs. She requested for me to split the fee with her. I'm not sure what to do, as I am a little tight on money at the moment but don't want to be left a negative. Just curious what you guys would do in this situation? Thanks!

[Nana-Rena]

A customer on eBay or on here?

I often get customs fees, our customs office has lowered the value marker on items bought abroad. i think it's every buyers own responsibility to handle their customs fees. I have never asked sellers to chip i on customs fees and if I buy from a non EU webstore, i don't expect a foreign corporation to split customs fees with me either.

This is my policy. I understand if other users do it differently. Hope this helps. 

I have to say that I would think it's a bit odd if someone left a negative feedback if you do not pay their customs fees. 

[Sarahlacewing]

Customs fees are the responsibility of the buyer in my opinion.  I've always understood that when buying internationally.

[lunar_scythe]

customs fees are not something sellers usually pay part of, it's just like shipping, it's the buyers' job to pay for it.  If they try to tell you you 'should have marked it as a gift', remember that is a crime in *both* countries, which is probably why they didn't ask you for that at the start.

[pyrodarknessanny]

id let it slide this time if it was seomthing that cropped up unespectidly , but i do agrees with the others
its up to the buyer to now these things, and  pay the fee.

id take this experiance and  put in future online sales listings a disclamer  stating your pollicy on this matter.
eg:  " buyer to pay  customs / import fees,  i take no responcibility for blah-blah'blarh   taxes etc" 

that way you wont get caught out again.

[Pumpkin]

Custom fees are for the buyer. When the buyer is from the Netherlands the postman will let her choose. Accept the fees or it will be send back. Fees can be very high almost as much as the price of the item.

Yes it's hard to get this clear to the buyer. If you still can't solve the problem and the amount is not too high you would be able to pay half? If only to fix the problem ... 

Oops solved, sorry was a bit late with my responce

[HawaiianRain]

She doesn't need to post anything. It's the buyer's responsibility to look up this info when purchasing international. Do not offer to pay anything and don't pay anything.

[cloud_weaver]

I had this happen a while back when I sold my Thailand Ice Crystal.  I sold him for a little under $600, and had him mailed overseas.  I made sure to put tracking and insurance on him because of the value of him, and how much the buyer and I would both be out if he was lost.  Unfortunately I was unaware of the customs rule, and the lady purchasing him was charged almost $150 in customs fees.    I was floored, and so was she.  Neither of us knew what to do.  I was already out a bit between ebay and paypal fees, and the shipping that I had said I would cover - and splitting the customs fee was another $75 that I would have been out as well.  So we went to ebay's rules, and sure enough customs fees *are* the buyer's responsibility.  As it is part of the buyer's country that charges for the value of the item, it is up to the buyer to be aware of their country's policy.  It's really poopy, but luckily my buyer was gracious enough to abide by this rule.  In future auctions, I've learned to list in the description that custom fees are they buyer's responsibility.  =(

Hope that helps!

Post Merge: May 02, 2013, 11:57:29 AM

P.S.  Don't ever undervalue a package going overseas to avoid customs fees in you are insuring the package, as you will not be able to get the value of the item back should something happen to it.

[ponylady]

She doesn't need to post anything. It's the buyer's responsibility to look up this info when purchasing international. Do not offer to pay anything and don't pay anything.

Exactly this!  It is the buyer's responsibility to know there countries policies on importing items into it. And if this is ebay and your buyer leaves a negative for having to pay duties, ebay will remove it. 

[Nana-Rena]

I have to say that this is the first time I have ever heard of someone asking to split the fees. maybe they are new to eBay, or whatever site it is that you used and just don't know how this goes.

Politely explain to them that customs fees are their responsibillity and I am sure it will be fine.

[lovesbabysquirmy]

She doesn't need to post anything. It's the buyer's responsibility to look up this info when purchasing international. Do not offer to pay anything and don't pay anything.

Exactly this!  It is the buyer's responsibility to know there countries policies on importing items into it. And if this is ebay and your buyer leaves a negative for having to pay duties, ebay will remove it. 

Exactly right!  They shouldn't be shopping internationally if they don't know the rules about it!   

Keep us updated with how it goes... 

[Ringlets]

*nods in agreement with Ponylady and HR and all the others who posted*    your buyer needs to pay those fees, not you! I know the fees are awful in some countries (such as here in the UK!)  and it can come as a real shock if the buyer doesnt understand that kind of thing - and especially if its a high valued item - but the customs fees are not the sellers fault or responsibility.   

[Vintergatan]

Nothing much to add to this - customs fees are her problem. We in Iceland have to struggle with that, and I often need cooperation from seelers and traders here to minimize the chance of getting charged, but if I do, that is my problem and I pay for it. Why should you be punished for shipping to certain countries?