US Buyer's package held at Post Office and now declared ''Vacant'
Summary: fergua3 is dealing with a situation where a US buyer's package, valued at $30 plus $9 shipping and subject to a 150% tariff, was marked "On Hold" at the post office. After 33 days, it was declared "Vacant" and is being returned. fergua3 is uncertain about paying tariff charges or refunding the buyer. cottagewoman suggests that if a cross-border service was used, tariffs might not be needed upon return. reallynicestamps clarifies that eBay doesn't require refunds for undeliverable packages, while lotzofuniquegoodies advises attempting to contact the buyer. dinomitesales recommends waiting for the package to return before deciding, mentioning that tariffs might not apply and the buyer has voided their Money Back Guarantee.
I am assuming buyer did not pick up package because there were tariffs on it, but that is an assumption. Value was low around $30 USD plus shipping of $9. Tariffs at the time were 150%.
When the package got to the Post Office outlet for delivery it was immediatly marked 'On Hold'. So whether that was because tariffs had to be paid or because the buyer put a hold on his mail for a while, i don't know.
Anyway, it was held at the PO for 33 days and now the 'Vacant' scan appeared. This means it will be returned to me.
My question is will i have to pay the tariffs to get the package back and what happens if i refuse to pay the tariffs the US charged?
I know the buyer is not entitled to a refund through Ebay Money Back Gurantee and since he has not bothered to contact me or answer me i am not of a mind to refund him anything. Not sure what Ebay will do if he opens a Paypal or credit card dispute given the buyer has either refused to pick up the package or given an old address. Total i would have to refund would be about $58 CAD.
Suggestons?
dinomitesales
·1 year agoI assume this was originally sent via Canada Post? I highly doubt there were any tariffs or fees that the buyer needed to pay to receive the parcel.
I also would be very surprised if you were asked to pay anything when it eventually gets back to you. There's a small chance you might have to pay return shipping fees, but it's very unlikely.
Just wait until it gets back to you and assess the situation. The buyer has voided their Money Back Guarantee so you can rightfully withhold any funds you are out as a result of the buyer not claiming the parcel.
lotzofuniquegoodies
·1 year agoHave you had any luck reaching out to customer to let them know status? I have done that in the past when I have spotted waiting for pick up. There have also been times when item was picked up but scans did not confirm that info. The post office will try to contact customer. Either by carding or phone. No guarantees the phone number on file is accurate/working which can cause issues. I had 1 recently where there was a noted issue due to the location being a condo and no way for driver to get to customers door. I confirmed with buyer and they advised they were able to have it delivered the following day without issue. This is how it still showing:
reallynicestamps
·1 year agoEBay doesn't require you to refund anything on an Undeliverable package.
Most sellers will refund the purchase price, but not taxes, shipping or any other random fees.
If the item is tariffed on return, I would call that a"random fee".
cottagewoman
·1 year agoThe package should be marked as a return, but if you are not having this pass through a cross border service (don't know if you shipped Canada Post or cross border) then not 100% sure if you'll have to pay tariffs back. I've never dealt with a return for an item I shipped CP. If it was cross border, your provider should handle the status as being a return and you shouldn't be charged tariffs.