I over valued on my Customs form by accident

[Sea_Breeze]

I'm an idiot. I sent some ponies to the UK this morning & in my head I had them valued at $200NZD but obviously this is what they came too including the shipping.. so realistically I should have valued them at $150NZD..as shipping was $50. It was too late by the time I realised my error I'm just a little worried what my poor buyer might be expected to pay in duty on her end? The Postman here said the UK charges for anything over $40NZD  I actually thought it was $40GBP which is actually $80NZD. Problem is I can't undervalue otherwise if the darn thing goes missing I'm stuffed for insurance..

Is there just a one flat fee or is it taken as a % of what was declared? I guess I'll just wait and see what happens on her end as this was an eBay transaction. I'm happy to refund the duty charge on the extra $50NZD that shouldn't have been there

[Ringlets]

its an easy mistake to make so don't worry.
Unfortunately the UK does charge hefty customs fees and your buyer will end up with quite a big one. Anything over £40 will land a customs fee (if marked as a gift , and if its not marked as a gift then the fee will start if the item is valued at..hmm it was £18 but I think its dropped to £15 now - I'll have to check on that...    ) .

You have two options : contact your buyer now and give them advance warning of your mistake which will mean their fees are probably going to be higher - but that you are willing to refund for the mistake and help pay for the extra fees they shouldn't have had when the parcel arrives
Or
Wait for the parcel to arrive and see if your buyer contacts you. They may or may not, since us UKers know we'll have a big customs fee... but since you valued the items higher by mistake , your buyer may check the value you put on the form and think that paying the extra fees is not fair then contact you. Then you can explain what happened by mistake and help sort make things right

its up to you. Perhaps another member here will have more advice to add to this as well

[Tap Dancer]

Definitely contact the buyer and explain what happened. I think they'll be more understanding if they're not just hit with a surprise. I would also offer to pay any extra fees since it was your mistake.

[hathorcat]

Unfortunately I would have to second Ringlets, you will be best to wait to see what your buyer has to pay. With a $150 value on the parcel there will certainly be a reasonably heavy admin handling and customs charge to pay on parcel when it arrives here. What your buyer will have to pay will be subject to what is in the parcel - customs charges can be anything from 5% to 85% of the items sterling £ value. Normally it averages around the 8-15%.

Your buyer will have to pay what charge Royal Mail/Parcelforce/Courier set in order to release the parcel - the admin handling fee - this is normally a flat fee (£8ish for Royal Mail and up to £25 for couriers). The admin fee will remain the same no matter the value of the parcel. Its the customs charge on top of that which becomes the question mark. In this case therefore the % value difference between the $150 to $200. That could turn out to only be a few £ however depending on the classification of the item and the sterling value of $50NZD.

Is there a way for you or the buyer to prove the value is $150? You can make a claim back against customs if you feel you have been over charged but its not a guaranteed return. However, over here we do now pay customs import charges on shipping costs as well as declared insurance, so unfortunately customs may simply decide the $200 value is accurate. But personally I would think its worth the appeal if we are talking about a good but of money.

[Sea_Breeze]

Thanks everyone. In NZ we pay duty on items valued over $400NZD but that INCLUDES the shipping, which can often tip the item over the threshold hence why I got confuzzled.

[ponylady]

Thanks Hathor and Ringlets! Those girls have way more knowledge than I in that department.

Good luck Sea_breeze  I am sure as long as you contact your buyer and explain, they will be understanding. It was an honest mistake.

[DaffyDilly]

There is a chance that your buyer won't have to pay customs charges - not all parcels get checked so they may get lucky

[Sea_Breeze]

I did contact my buyer she was thankful for my honesty but said lets just wait and see what happens

[Ringlets]

sounds good to me
here's hoping customs let this one slip by .....   

[Sea_Breeze]

Nope Customs got it, now I"m just trying to figure out a fair reimbursement. I"m thinking of just going halves seeing it was my error, will see what she comes back with.

[Ringlets]

Awww noes! stupid customs *sigh*   let us know how she responds then and I hope you can both work it out ok

[Sea_Breeze]

All good we've agreed to a 50:50 split.. I have another parcel due to go to the USA tomorrow so I'll definately TRY and go in with a clearer brain tomorrow when I fill out the customs form

[Ringlets]

and don't stress -you'll be fine with the next one