New eBay seller - setting up shipping - how do I indicate tariff-free status?
Summary: The discussion revolves around a new eBay seller, papillionera, seeking advice on how to set up shipping and indicate the tariff-free status of their items. Other participants, including mrdutch1001, intimewithmusic, hansatrade, recped, sapphyres-designer-jewellery, and reallynicestamps, joined the conversation but did not provide content in their responses. The thread includes multiple participants without visible contributions, indicating a possible focus on reading or seeking the same information.
Hi, I'm a Canadian seller who has recently opened an eBay store after many years on Etsy. How do I indicate that my items are tariff-free/duty-free (exempt) under IEEPA? I had a sale to a US buyer who cancelled when eBay automatically told them they'd have to pay customs, which they don't. I messaged the buyer, but they never replied, and I lost the sale.
I use Chit Chats for US shipping and have successfully integrated. But is there somewhere that I can enter the HS code to prove it is tariff/duty-free? I have a banner across the description for each listing indicating this, but is there something else I need to do? I've set up flat rate shipping with discounts for multiple items in one package. Is this the best way to do it? I sell handmade jewelry.
reallynicestamps
·5 months agoSince of these only eIS apparently consistently charges the importer/buyer the Trump Tariff du jour, I would recommend making sure that you are signed up for that.
With eIS you don't get the customer's name and address until THEY have paid any tariff.
If they don't pay, you don't ship.
They elected the warmongering bugger.
sapphyres-designer-jewellery
·5 months agoI have my jewellery set up as a product on Stallion (which is like Chit Chats) and it falls under a special category that's duty/tariff free. Not all categories from Canadian made goods are like that, but I found out I did not need CUSMA certification for my jewellery (made with silver), and they are going duty free.
C.
recped
·5 months ago@papillionera
I would be telling your buyers (in the Description) that your shipments are DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) and all charges (tariff/duty/brokerage) are paid in advance and no additional charges will be needed on delivery.
I would not be telling buyers that the items are duty free.
No matter how you telll buyers they won't have any additional fees there will be many that are skeptical because of the warnings that eBay places on your listings that state that tariffs & fees "will" be due on delivery. Buyers don't know who to believe, you the seller or eBay. Buyers in general believe eBay's (incorrect) statements more than they believe sellers. This is especially true if they have no prior experience and/or understanding of a DDP service.
hansatrade
·5 months agoHere what you need to do:
1. On the weight / size page click on BACK.
2. Provide all necessary details: HTS, country of origin, and the manufacturer's name and address:
3. Put a label with the HTS code and the country of provenience on your package:
intimewithmusic
·5 months agoHi. Very nice jewelry. With respect to tariffs you have 3 choices.
a) Ship Canada Post using the Zonos app and prepay the tariffs (if applicable, the administration fee, and assessed border charges.
b) Ship through the eBay Canada International Shipping program where the above mentioned multiple import charges will be shown to buyers in the eBay listing.
c) Ship via UPS Fedex etc DDU with the import charges being collected on or after delivery and paid by your customer or paid by you if your customer refuses to accept. (Not recommended).
You cannot control the various charges your buyer might face by putting a clause in your listing just because you deem them to be exempt. They might or might not be but there are other possible charges for imports.
All items for sale outside of Canada must have the Country of Manufacture (Origin) not just in the listing but in the export document depending on your choice of courier.
Historically, for some reason, all of the above mentioned potential import charges will be different depending on which service you use. Exempt items are still often subject to admin fees. Your item will have to complete US Customs where specific border charges could be incurred such as the clarification of the classification of metals as mentioned by @mrdutch1001 .
You have a 100% positive feedback. To protect that I would temporarily block the USA until you fully understand the do,s and don'ts. It will only take one negative feedback for you to go way down in your percentile considering you have so few feedback. If you drop below 96% you will have trouble making any sales anywhere.
A few photo suggestions. Your photos are great but...
...you have items such as books and plates etc as props that are not not part of the listing. eBay recommends against doing that as it may confuse buyers.
...As well, some of your main images tend to be distant shots. Many of your items take up less than 10% of your main image. 65 % of buyers decide to buy when scrolling listings on their cell phone. Just my opinion but your photos will not penetrate the competition unless the main photo of the piece is in the frame large and tight. For the other photos you could widen the shot to include the manequin.
Welcome aboard! Hope to have been some help!
natalijeffre_0
·5 months agoHi there,
Thanks for your thorough and helpful reply. I really appreciate your insight regarding the photos, too.
I've been selling on Etsy and my own website for 9 years and shipping to the US pretty much daily with Chit Chats courier. I have the country of origin paperwork, make sure to properly label, etc. I have confirmed the HS codes... the raw materials are a different HS code from the finished product (HS code shift) in addition to the significant change made here in Canada when the materials are assembled into a final product, it is legally covered under IEEPA. Other than the brokerage handling fee, which I "eat" in shipping cost. I've been through this legally already.
I have integrated Chit Chats with eBay to import any orders to the Chit Chats site, through their widget, as I did with Etsy and my website. I'm just trying to sort out how to set up the shipping at the eBay end.
intimewithmusic
·5 months agoHi @natalijeffre_0
I wish I could help more. Others who use Chit Chats likely will. We don't have that service in central BC. eBay is a lot different than Etsy particularly eBay Canada. Due to your low feedback score one negative could severely damage your account. I used the word temporary to give you time to get it right. Currently no indication of import charges show up at your checkout.
Due to your close proximity to the hub and your goal to sell to the US I think eBays EIS program if you are accepted would be a good choice. Then all you're required to do is pay Canada Postage to the hub in Mississauga and eBay looks after the rest Then there's no blue banner and eBay will cancel most negative feedback .That would give your feedback score extra protection and clarify the import costs to your customers.
You can always increase services later.
Good luck.
mrdutch1001
·5 months agoIF you are shipping jewlery to the USA that contains "metals" do not be so sure that it will be tariff-free. ANY items containing "metals" are now being closely scrutinized for metal content.