GSP - no wonder more and more US sellers are getting in line.

[rosscd57]

I noticed today that that eBay has slipped a question mark in regarding International sales on US listings that do not use the Global Shipping Program. So I clicked on it  and this is what showed up.

Items shipping internationally may be subject to customs processing depending on the item's declared value.

Sellers set the item's declared value and must comply with customs declaration laws.

Buyers may be subject to additional charges for customs clearance.

Visit eBay's page on international trade.

This is a thinly veiled scare tactic - what unadulterated crass.

[recped]

You might call it a scare tactic, I call it necessary buyer education.

A constant theme on eBay over the years, buyers (mainly in Europe but also Canadians) who claim they have no idea about customs charges.

To me it's a good thing that eBay posts these warnings, it means I don't have to.

[pierrelebel]

"I call it necessary buyer education."

I agree

[pjcdn2005]

The statement is for our benefit so that buyers know that they may have to pay extra when the item is delivered instead of blaming us for it.

That info has been there for a while now. I think that it was there before the GSP.....not those exact statements but something similar.

[recped]

eBay added that language at the same time they ended the "requirement" for sellers to post their own customs disclaimer. Must be at least 4 years ago.

The disclaimer was required to qualify for "protection" against some forms of negative feedback (specifically calling out customs charges) or INR claims (when tracking shows unclaimed when taxes due).

The location and language of the warnings did change the last time eBay overhauled the listing page, maybe last year some time.

[femmefan1946]

We were told it was no longer necessary, but I still have the boilerplate in my listings.

<center><br></center><font face="Textile" size="+1">Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying.

[recped]

I still have a similar blurb as well and always did from day one.

I never had it to qualify for any kind of protection but simply an attempt to warn buyers of the possibility. Had the same blurb 30 years ago when I sent out mail order catalogues.....IN THE MAIL!

I have stuff in my description area that is the same as what's in the Title, Item Specifics and Condition areas. eBay says I don't need to do that either but I'll continue to do so until they make it mandatory.