Item being returned because buyer refused to pay duty & tax

loml888
Community Member

My buyer has refused to pay duty & tax on an item I sold and shipped to the US.  Now it is being returned to me and I have to pay shipping and Duty & Tax to get it back.  Should I refund him the amount he paid for the guitar less the cost of shipping it back to me and the duty & tax that I have to pay?  Never had this happen before and would appreciate any help and guidance.

Thanks so much!

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Item being returned because buyer refused to pay duty & tax

No. This is "returned merchandise" and not dutiable or taxable.

When you pick up the item, be prepared and have a print out of your original sale and shipping as well as the paperwork around the return.

You are only required to refund his original payment. That is Standard Practice and is based on what would happen if Paypal and eBay were involved. You do not refund until you have recieved the item and inspected it for damage.

If the reason for the return is your error, it would be a Best Practice also to refund his return shipping. Because you are the Good Guy, eh?

If the problem is on the buyer's end, for example you sold a red sweater and he is returning it because it is scarlet and he wanted cherry, a restocking charge or only refunding the selling price would be ethical. On the other hand, he will be leaving feedback and Detailed Seller Ratings, so....

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Item being returned because buyer refused to pay duty & tax

Thanks for your reply, but he is returning it because he didn't want to pay D&T. Now I've talked to Purolator and they are going to charge me shipping to return it to me. My questions is do I take that amount off of the price I refund him?
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