6 Oct
2008
6 Oct
'08
12:19 p.m.
I'm a bit annoyed at the latest request that I
falsely put a value of
$25 on a customs form. At least he's asking before he bids. Would
someone in Europe please comment on customs duties and lying on forms?
I'm not in Europe, but:
1. It sounds like the US doesn't really try to check for or enforce
factual statements on outgoing customs declarations. There may not be a
specific regulation requiring truthful statements.
2. It seems to be common practice for ebay buyers in other countries to
ask for items to be low-balled or marked "gift".
3. It's quite clear that foreign customs have regulations requiring
truthful statements on dec forms, and typically can either refuse or
seize mislabeled packages if the catch them. This would leave the
sender in a difficult place as regards remedies from ebay, paypal, the
parcel service, etc.
4. Some carriers (*cough*UPS*cough*) will backcharge the sender for
customs duties of the recipient fails to pay them.
5. Some (all?) European countries have hefty import duties which make it
desirable for buyers to ask for this kind of treatment.
De