Attention Canadian Sellers: Potential Tariff Collection at Checkout Could Kill Cross-Border Sales

Hi everyone,


I’m posting this to alert the Canadian seller community about a potentially devastating change: the possibility that eBay may start collecting tariffs automatically at checkout for shipments to the U.S.

Like many of you, my business relies heavily on cross-border sales. Let me be clear—if eBay moves forward with this, it could very well mark the end of my store.


We already have systems in place. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can collect duties when packages cross the border. Offloading this responsibility to eBay at checkout would confuse buyers, increase cart abandonment, and make us completely uncompetitive with U.S.-based sellers.


Let’s not forget: these tariffs come from Trump-era protectionist policies. eBay should not become a tax collection agency on behalf of U.S. customs.


This kind of change would have serious consequences:

  • Fewer sales and more abandoned carts

  • Increased costs at checkout that drive buyers away

  • Loss of competitiveness in the U.S. market

I urge eBay to push back strongly. If the U.S. government wants to enforce these tariffs, they should do so at the border—not at the checkout screen.


Canadian sellers, please speak up. Our businesses depend on it.


Thanks,


***

À l’attention des vendeurs canadiens : Le prélèvement automatique de droits de douane à la caisse pourrait tuer nos ventes vers les États-Unis


Bonjour à tous,


Je publie ce message pour alerter la communauté des vendeurs canadiens au sujet d’un changement potentiellement catastrophique : la possibilité que eBay commence à percevoir automatiquement les droits de douane à la caisse pour les envois vers les États-Unis.


Comme plusieurs d’entre vous, mon entreprise repose fortement sur les ventes transfrontalières. Soyons clairs : si eBay va de l’avant avec ce projet, cela pourrait bien signer la fin de ma boutique.


Nous avons déjà des systèmes en place. Les douanes américaines (CBP) peuvent percevoir les droits à l’entrée du pays. Transférer cette responsabilité à eBay lors du paiement risque de semer la confusion chez les acheteurs, de faire exploser les abandons de panier et de nous rendre non compétitifs face aux vendeurs américains.


N’oublions pas que ces tarifs sont issus de politiques protectionnistes mises en place sous l’administration Trump. eBay ne devrait pas devenir percepteur d’impôts pour les douanes américaines.


Un tel changement aurait de graves conséquences :

  • Moins de ventes, plus de paniers abandonnés

  • Des frais supplémentaires à la caisse qui font fuir les acheteurs

  • Une perte totale de compétitivité sur le marché américain

Je demande à eBay de s’opposer fermement à cette mesure. Si le gouvernement américain veut appliquer ces droits, qu’il le fasse à la frontière—pas à l’écran de paiement.


Vendeurs canadiens, exprimez-vous. L’avenir de nos entreprises en dépend.


Merci,

Accepted Solutions (0)

Answers (9)

Answers (9)

Until and/or Unless this becomes a reality, instead of speculation, I don't think any of us need to jump on the panic wagon...

Carry on, folks!

I'm actually fully in favour of them collecting them at checkout. I'd rather a buyer know the costs ahead of time and not receive any surprises as opposed to the mess we're in right now. With regards to the USA, it should only apply to items that don't qualify for the de minimis right now anyway (ie, over $800 or Chinese / Hong Kong items).  If Trump in the future removes the de minimis for all countries, having a system already in place is greatly preferable.

 

To me, it kind of sounds like they could be implementing a global shipping program for Canada. The eMail was very short on details though.

dhslk
Community Member

...AND has anyone actually had a customer yet who has had to pay a tariff for made in China items shipped via CanadaPost/USPS. I haven't. Why deter buyers if the tariffs are not actually being imposed?

marnotom!
Community Member
Don’t forget that eBay.com is already charging and collecting sales taxes from most US buyers on sales from US, Canadian, heck, all sellers regardless of their country of residence.
Wouldn't US tarrif collection by eBay Canada be a conflict of interest considering it is managed and directed by Americans including the new GM Garry Thaniel?


@dragon_spinz 

While eBay can collect and remit certain taxes like sales taxes (GST/HST/QST/PST) in Canada, it's generally not responsible for collecting import tariffs.  Tariffs are charged by the government of the importing country, and buyers are typically responsible for these charges. 

<By CBA etc. Trained inspectors who are in possession of goods before they are approved to cross a border.>

 

Addendum:

  • eBay's Role:
    While eBay can potentially charge and remit import tariffs in the future, it's not currently a common practice. They might do so through a special agreement with the relevant border agency, but this would require significant changes. 

"If the U.S. government wants to enforce these tariffs, they should do so at the border—not at the checkout screen."

Totally agree!... as I would no longer offer shipping to the USA here on eBay and I would put more time & effort into keeping more listings on my other selling site where I would continue to offer shipping to the USA...

Hopefully, other selling sites are not considering this tariff collection at checkout...

If a buyer Refuses a shipment, whether for Trump's federal sales tax (tariff on imports) or any other reason, eBay considers it Undeliverable and does not require the seller to refund anything at all.

Nada. Rien. Zippo. Not one red cent.

 

https://www.ebay.ca/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy?....

 

The seller would be out the cost of shipping, but would be free to relist the returned item.

And Block the customer.

I totally get it. This is such a scam. I am Canadian and I shipped from the border. I literally take my packages across and if it’s under a certain amount, they don’t make me pay duties. It’s already in place so if they enforce that that is almost criminal it’s not fair and it really affects the sellers ability to sell internationally.