I would refund an amount minus all costs, technically you are not requred to refund any amount and if they are asking you if you can re-ship for FREE...
...get out while the going is good.
@doc_scribe wrote:I've been pasting any VAT (or other) reference numbers into the second line of the online customs form @lotzofuniquegoodies . Always ship with tracking Internationally. And always use my own biz phone number to protect Buyer privacy and security.
Never had a problem - at least no failures to pick up or complaints about dupe VAT - so are you saying these practices aren't enough?
I've been using Shippo for going on 4 years. It includes the optional more detailed form with a field for notes. That has been my system and has worked to date for me. Knock on plutonium. 🙂 The bonus confirmation is including a copy of PS attached to the customs label which shows collected by eBay as double proof. Just had the one shipment to Cyprus where customer needed a replacement copy of document(s) to satisfy customs Gods before it was released without him repaying. The bonus form also allows you at your discretion to choose Return or Abandon. Is it really worth returning a 15.00 item with 25.00 shipping?
Example:
-Lotz
@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:
@marnotom! wrote:
@brettjet38 wrote:
...there are still some Buyers who do not get why they should pay VAT/TAX.
Well, if they paid VAT at Checkout, I can see why they'd be miffed about having to pay it again.
One of the requirements (it's listed on many of the Intl websites like Royal Mail etc) is a VALID email addy and land/cell number. Not all numbers in eBay are valid. If there is no way for the postal service/customs to contact the customer there have been cases where items get door tagged once and if not picked up (for whatever reason) they are just returned. Not all buyers check their eBay mail religiously so they may be missing the contact from the postal service. The gobblegook email does not always get ported to the customs paperwork. Why it is critical in the body of the bill to note the customs was collected in advance by eBay with the amount. Proof would be attaching the itemized packslip to the customs documents(highlighting helps).
If customs can't see proof VAT was collected or customer can't prove they just re-bill.
-Lotz
Yes the packing list with highlighted tax info on the OUTSIDE of the package seems to do the trick (mostly).
I ship to the EU via APC or PostNL, I was having issues with double tax collection but since doing the packing list thing I haven't had a problem that I'm aware of. Prior to that quite a few were held for VAT which of course buyers refused to pay.
At least with Canada Post there is a chance to get an actual return, the shippers I use DO NOT do returns.
I also try to always use a DDP service, I suspect Canada Post Small Packet shipments go via the DDU stream so it's imperitive that customs in the destination country can easily see that VAT has already been collected.
