Buyer returned an item as "Merchandise" and I had to pay import fees and handling fees

[rievserg]

Hello,

A buyer had to make a return due to the item being broken on arrival. I agreed on return but when I received it I had to pay extra $33 for PST and GST taxes and handling fees. He checked the item as "Merchandise".

Do I subtract this fees from the return? I shouldn't have to pay something like this for the item that I already paid taxes right from the beginning.

Thanks.

[recped]

On the back of the customs form there is instructions on how to apply for a refund.

For future reference, you need to instruct buyers when they make an international return to correctly mark the items as "returned goods".

[jersey..authentix]

I have had this happen on numerous occasions. Even when they are told to mark gift, they forget or sometimes Canada customs get it wrong, like my last return.

Canada Customs are very good about it. They have refunded me everytime. Just be sure to show that you originally sent the item to that person along with the customs form, filled in ( as recped mentioned ). Takes awhile, so be patient. 

You can try to get it out of the buyer and sometimes the buyer will agree to  the deduction, but you should know, as always Ebay sides with the buyer. The buyer protection says that you will pay any fee, taxes, or duty associated with the return.

[maggiebvintage2010]

Returns are not gifts.  They should be marked "returned goods" as recped posted.  Besides which. the duty-and-tax-free limit for gifts is $60.00.  If I recall from some of your previous posts, your jerseys sell for significantly more than that.

[recped]

Even when they are told to mark gift,

Well that is definitely not the way to mark a return!

A - It's NOT a gift

B - Gifts are not always tax exempt

You can try to get it out of the buyer

You need massive cajones to try that!

[femmefan1946]

More to the point, 'gifts' are still dutiable and taxable.

It's just that the benchmark is $60CDN rather than $20CDN.

But the customs officers were sensible about it, so that's one blessing.

Did you get the $9.95 Canada Post service fee back too?

[jersey..authentix]

Wow did I get jumped on for that one.

My error. I meant to say RETURN. Though I have countless of times had items shipped to me and have shipped items with it marked gift and have never had to pay or had a complaint from a buyer they had to pay. So this $60 limit is questionable. Just saying. 

[femmefan1946]

Oh yes.

But it's on paper, so it can be used.

And if the customs officer is bored and looking for some excitement, those 'gift' packages are the ones she would find the most interest in. And then she finds the packing slip.....

But as we all know, if it is below $100 and not particularly bulky, it will probably be ignored.