Customs description vs Item Title (Description) in Stallion Express shipments

[itolduandso]

How different is Customs desription from the item description (Name of the item listing in EBay). 

Is this essentially same? I am just copying the same text I have in Description into Customs Description. What else do I need to put in Customs Description? 

Any idea anybody who uses Stallion?

[sin-n-dex]

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@itolduandso wrote:

How different is Customs desription from the item description (Name of the item listing in EBay). 

Is this essentially same? I am just copying the same text I have in Description into Customs Description. What else do I need to put in Customs Description? 

Any idea anybody who uses Stallion?

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I haven't been filling the customs description in. For my items the description is "Greece Banknote" value 2.99, put in the HTS code, and country of origin as Greece. That's how I processed the stuff I mailed today. I'll follow up here if that's not correct.

C.

[intimewithmusic]

@itolduandso 

It could be the same if you want your items to be stolen so don't put this in the description box of a customs form....

"SUPERMAN 1 CGC 3.5 Clark Kent 1939 Golden Age DCU 4468682001 🇺🇸 Gorgeous VG-"

Instead you might put "Comic Book"

The description, while being very generic, should relate to the description where you got the HT code from. 

I recommend researching "Allowable Customs Descriptions On Customs Forms". 

Example: "TAMA Drums & Stands Original 1987 Replacement Parts Catalog 20 Pages Case Candy"

On the customs form is "Advertising Catalog" See photo

Unrelated but worth mentioning: The HT code for the same item may be different for countries other than the USA. Usually they are the same but there are exceptions. This is why you are asked both the Destination ands the COO when you look up the HT code. If you ship a lot of identical items you should still look up the code if it's going to an unusual destination.

[recped]

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@intimewithmusic wrote:

@itolduandso 

It could be the same if you want your items to be stolen so don't put this in the description box of a customs form....

"SUPERMAN 1 CGC 3.5 Clark Kent 1939 Golden Age DCU 4468682001 🇺🇸 Gorgeous VG-"

Instead you might put "Comic Book"

 I recommend researching "Allowable Customs Descriptions On Customs Forms". 

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None of the Customs information appears on the shipping labels if you are using Stallion (most likely Chit Chats as well)

The information is transmitted electronically, the customs clearence happens before the package has even been put on a plane to whatever country it's going to.

Item Description

The Title used when listing on eBay, this is really for your reference

Customs Description

Self explanatory, it's the description you want to provide the customs that is a short and definitive description of the item.

Example

Item Description: STIFF KITTENS Contempt b/w Light 7" UK Crisis 1986 Goth Crowley

Customs Description: Phonograph Record

In the past, at least for the US you could as vague as you want and probably never have an issue because everything qualified for the standard exemption. Now they are on the hunt for Chinese goods and they know that funneling Chinese goods into the US via Canada and Mexico (and elsewhere ie: the dropshippers in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India). Who knows what will happen in the coming days, weeks, months, if they continue these intensive inspections the border will become a pile of muck.

One thing for sure, the more accurate your customs declarations are the fewer problems you will have.

[itolduandso]

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@intimewithmusic wrote:

generic

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Okay, so Customs Description needs to be generic but specific for the category...

https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/e-commerce/examples-unacceptable-vs-acceptable-cargo-d...

Canada Post website is not much useful:
https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/doc/en/support/customs-requirements.pdf

About the items stolen ... I think it's importnat to mention if using 3rd party shipping insurance, they often state that the shipper most not put any visible information about the content of the package on the box e.g. Apple logo for Apple laptop etc because that could invalidate the insurance in case of loss. I could image this could also apply to the CUstoms description line since that is made visible outside of the carrier and having too much detail there could potentially (I am speculating here) also invalidate the insurance coverage.

@intimewithmusic wrote:

Unrelated but worth mentioning: The HT code for the same item may be different for countries other than the USA. U

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I just google the HS codes. I am quite careless about which country destination, at least because I have one-off listings for items often used, so I didn't pay attention to that.  Not a good practice but I didn't find I am breaking rules by using US codes. Of course it could delay delivery of the item.

[intimewithmusic]

Hi, Thanks for the note,

No, depending on the value of your item you weren't doing anything wrong using google other than taking a very small risk. There are also instances where HT codes change. 

We are all selling different things of different values to different places.  With the new system coming if you continue to use the same HS code for every country you may risk of delays, loss or your item being destroyed by customs if it's a DNR item.  If your buyer gets upset your eBay feedback rating may also take a hit. There are any number of good HS code websites almost as fast as Google. Do what works for you.  If you want to know how it works for me read my feedback. 

Many years back I sold an expensive pair of Jonathan Moffat's drumsticks from Michael Jackson's Victory Tour to a buyer in Germany. They sat on the "dead pile" in customs for 6 weeks. I almost lost the sale and I doubt I would have seen the sticks returned.  I think that happened because the species of wood (hickory) wasn't indicated on my customs form. Germany is very picky about types of wood coming in. I got lucky. My customer drove to Frankfurt and picked them up.

When a widget can be made of many different materials it can be hard to ID with a specific HT code. If it's an expensive item it's always worth obtaining the correct info before you hit "send".

Package rules vary from insurer to insurer. Shipsurance prohibits packaging that eludes to the contents. There have even been shipper insurance disputes over the use of ebay branded packing tape. I think we all go by experience.  I use eBay branded packaging for North America and haven't had issues. I use the branded tape but only inside the packages. 

When I notice different codes for the same thing it's usually when the package is headed to Europe. Recently I had to change a code going to Denmark.  It's safe to assume there will be a "break in" chaotic period at customs. For tariff purposes the numbers will become more specific. I hope not but I expect package movement will slow down. One way to speed mine up is to make sure the form and the package isn't causing the delay. 

[recped]

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@itolduandso wrote:

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I just google the HS codes. I am quite careless about which country destination, at least because I have one-off listings for items often used, so I didn't pay attention to that.  Not a good practice but I didn't find I am breaking rules by using US codes. Of course it could delay delivery of the item.

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The six digit HTS codes are universal and are acceptable in all counties for identifying the general type of product. The extended codes can vary as they are set by individual countries and are often related to various trade treaties that provide for reduced (or increased) duties for goods entering under those treaties. They are also used as subcategories for products that come in different forms with different duty rates.

[intimewithmusic]

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@recped wrote:

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"None of the Customs information appears on the shipping labels if you are using Stallion (most likely Chit Chats as well)

The information is transmitted electronically, the customs clearence happens before the package has even been put on a plane to whatever country it's going to."

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  We have no inexpensive 3 party forwarders here in the interior. 

I admit I'm "old school".  It's safe to say if your ship for decades you might continue to do what works in the past. It depends where you ship and what you ship. If most of your "same-same" items pass through selected border crossings they may even recognize them as acceptable. 

   With respect to electronic transmission its only effective if packages stay on the electronic path and the system doesn't fail.      For my packages I reduce the risk by affixing 2 hard copies along with the label. It does add an extra step. In the past customs typically required 3 copies of the commercial invoice when it was done manually.

  Now we a new problem. Packages leave the electronic path and are left unrecoverable do to damage or loss.  Some could be recovered if someone bothered  to take a second to attach a packing slip envelope.  I checked with the post office here (not the clerk). They agree.

  Two weeks ago my brand new wallet that my daughter gave me was stolen in a busy store. A few days later the manager of our Hudsons Bay recovered it and phoned me. The only reason I got my wallet back was because I keep a business card in there. 

 You can depend on the electronic path if you want but I'll take direct recovery any day over filing an insurance claim. 

(That said I don't have my initials inside my hat. ;>}

FedEx driver made multiple trips to dump packages, investigators say

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[itolduandso]

LOL, do you have the address for that FedEx dump site. Would be reseller's goldmine 😉

[itolduandso]

Well they are not supposed to distroy the package if the HS code is not an exact match. The HS Codes are there to speed up processing packages, otherwise it is manual and can take 6 weeks as you said. If they do destroy packages, possibly but they are not supposed to do that without contacting the shipper first requesting for additional information or correction or whatever. In theory at least, before they destroy it. They destroy packages right away if there is something illegal about what I send or how I send or if I don't mitigate. Again, at least in theory, that's how it is supposed to operate. 

[tryubik-useonlyasdirected]

A helpful US Customs Agent (they do exist!) once said a rule of thumb is to break it down into its constituent parts that would be relevant to the HS code specifications. Keep it simple.

We sell a lot of art/antiques etc so:

[age-bracket]  [material]  [specialty info] [form]   [two-digit country code]

ie. antique glass vase (AT)

ie. vintage silver bracelet (UK)

ie. vintage banknote (US)

paintings have specialty qualifications for original so it must be signed and original

ie. original signed artwork (AU)

[intimewithmusic]

Ha ha, There was also the train (Fedex packages as well I think). It was stopped on a side spur for too long. They broke into the box cars and emptied a carload full of packages on the side of the tracks.

[intimewithmusic]

Sorry, I should clarify. If the item is refused entry and isn't worth the return shipping cost, disposal of it is a good thing. If it's of value and you can find the customs office via Google and talk to them you can ask them to destroy it. 

This is the problem with eBay labels. There is no option to mark the shipment "Abandon" or DNR (do not return). Shippo has that on their form and it's embedded electronically so customs knows one way or the other. I can't remember if Can Post Snap Ship has that.

If the form doesn't specify they will temporarily store it and eventually destroy it. if no one contacts them for clearance.  I would be surprised if customs in European countries would contact a shipper in Canada unless it was a high end item. In that case it would have accurate documents. I've only had one missing package there that sold for $180. Never heard a word from customs.  I found out Frankfurt was notorious for backlogs. Eventually I got someone on the phone. Sure enough, it was on the "dead pile"  due to unknown wood species... I think Frankfurt is better now.  

[sin-n-dex]

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@tryubik-useonlyasdirected wrote:

A helpful US Customs Agent (they do exist!) once said a rule of thumb is to break it down into its constituent parts that would be relevant to the HS code specifications. Keep it simple.

We sell a lot of art/antiques etc so:

[age-bracket]  [material]  [specialty info] [form]   [two-digit country code]

ie. antique glass vase (AT)

ie. vintage silver bracelet (UK)

ie. vintage banknote (US)

paintings have specialty qualifications for original so it must be signed and original

ie. original signed artwork (AU)

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My descriptions would be "Canadian Token, Base Metal", so far no problems, but they're starting to get a little more specific.

C.

[intimewithmusic]

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@tryubik-useonlyasdirected wrote:

A helpful US Customs Agent (they do exist!) once said a rule of thumb is to break it down into its constituent parts that would be relevant to the HS code specifications. Keep it simple.

I agree. Over the years I never had any trouble with US customs. I think the key words in your post  are "once said" though because now others are suggesting more digits are to come. This is for a wooden stool.  Hypothetically it's made in Canada and sold to the USA. Your choice of subcat is going to affect the duty payable.  If this scrutiny comes into play for items under $800 customs should be lenient on errors I hope. 

If we get a new de minimus threshold maybe we can continue to use 6 digits. 

We just have to wait and see. I checked the UPS, Shipppo and Can Post sites today. There are no updates.