do i need to be a business to sell on ebay?

[canturk0]

I just made my first sale, im freaking out about what to do.

1. im selling from Qc, Canada to USA, do i write a customs declaration?

2. Should i send it as a gift instead? (at least for the first time)

and yes i will be selling on ebay from now on.

3. what kind of company should i be to sell online?

4. what do i do about taxes and etc...

any help is much appreciated

ty

[femmefan1946]

You're selling in a high value/high fraud category (SF/F Collectibles) and your customers will run to entitled neckbeards.

As a long time fan*, I've met more of neckbeards than you've had hot dinners.

You will need to be more aware of this and protect yourself.

First do some buying to build a feedback reputation and to learn how the site really works.

While eBay only requires you to use Signature Confirmation on sales over $750, I'd strongly suggest that you spend the extra $1.50 for any item you would find it painful to lose to a "Not Received" dispute.  For your peace of mind.

Most people, even fen, are honest.

And remember No Returns does not mean No Refunds, but you are allowed to demand the return of your item before refunding even if you (foolishly) do have a No Returns policy.

"Well, maybe I'm not a fancy gentleman like you, with your ... very fine hat. But I do business. We're here for business."  -- Captain Malcolm Reynolds

*Dedicated Browncoat- most women my age have Doulton figurines in the dining room vitrine, I have the crew of Serenity and a bunch of dinosaurs.

[cumos55]

As an online seller you will have to learn how to deal with buyers you cannot see.

You will have to ask yourself....  Who am I?

Stand in front of a mirror and ask this question...  Be very honest...    How do I relate to local people I know?

When you prepare a listing....  be specific  about the item...  Write in short paragraphs,  and make it easy to read......  No run-on sentences or long paragraphs that are hard to read.....

The terms of sale my be specific  and not overstated.

Prepare your listing in the ... Third person...  Say this was done....  not I did this

Do not say ... I did this...  I want this.... This sound too aggressive...

Using the third person option is very easy to read.  and easy to understand by the buyer.

Work to find a seller protocol  ... Start with what you present a listing.... and end with how you communicate once the buyer pays....Communicate when the sale will be mailed  and the buyer will be most happy.

It took me several years to understand that success as a seller on eBay is knowing ... What Not to Do...

Take everything one step at a time... Make it happen.

[cumos55]

If Sales PLUS postage is greater than $30,000  you must register to collect GST/HST.

Many forget that the total of $30,000 MUST include postal.

A buyer pays the seller a total for the item plus postage.

The seller buys postage and in this way postage becomes a cost to sell online.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

@canturk0 

Here are a few links to start you on your way.   

https://pages.ebay.ca/seller-centre/

https://pages.ebay.ca/seller-centre/selling/seller-hub.html

https://community.ebay.ca/t5/Announcements/bg-p/Announcements?nobounce

https://goshippo.com/carriers/canada-post-shipping-rates/

Take your time. There's a lot to digest.

-Lotz

[ypdc_dennis]

---

@canturk0 wrote:

I just made my first sale, ...

1. im selling from Qc, Canada to USA, do i write a customs declaration?

2. Should i send it as a gift instead? (at least for the first time)

and yes i will be selling on ebay from now on.

---

You do not need to be a "company", you can just declare any profits as self employment business income (keep track of your expenses and income).

If selling more than $30000 in a 12 month period you are required to register for GST/QST sales tax. Under that is voluntary.

If buying your shipping label through Shippo, customs info is included as part of the label.

Currently personal purchases bought by Americans only have to worry about duty if the value is more than $750us. No need to declare as a gift.

-..-

[richardcm]

Amount is $800 US, not $750 US.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/501/~/mail---what-can-be-imported-through-the-mail

[cumos55]

The rules for the collection of PST are different for each province where HST is not collected.

HST includes GST plus PST..... PST is Provincial Sales Tax.

Quebec is unique with respect to GST/HST....... Consult the local Quebec tax authority.

As soon as you buy items locally to sell on eBay, you are a business ... self employed.  I am registered with a business name and a business number in the province of Manitoba...  When I registered to collect GST/HST that business number was used...

----------------------------

If a Canadian seller sells more than $20,000 value on eBay in one year.. that seller gets reported to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).....  eBay must do this.

Many sellers will try to fly... under the radar of CRA... Never try to do this.

Everything can make one scared of the consequences.... Follow the rules  and nothing will go against you.

----------------------------------

eBay now charges  GST/HST on fees.... This is known as an Input Tax Credit (ITC)....

If you buy inventory in Canada, you may get charged GST/HST. ... This is part of the ITC.

Some Canadian sellers find that they sell a high number of items to buyers in the US and other  countries..  They may choose to register to collect GST/HST  even if their sales plus postage is less that $30,000, if only to get a refund on the ITC paid.... on items sold to buyers outside of Canada, and on GST/HST paid on eBay fees...

All of this can make one feel that you are climbing a very steep mountain....  

Take everything one step at a time....and learn the reality of selling on eBay

[femmefan1946]

1. im selling from Qc, Canada to USA, do i write a customs declaration?

• Yes. But it will be part of the shipping label you buy through Paypal.
• You need a Small Business Solutions number to buy the shipping label. It's free and you can do it right here. https://sso.epost.ca/sso/lfe/ui/login?templateId=cpcapps&manifestId=cpgSecurity&sourceUrl=https%3A//...
• You may get a small discount for buying the label online.
• HS codes are useful-  Record each one you use and what it's for, then next time you won't need the website
• https://www.canadapost.ca/cpotools/apps/wtz/business/findHsCode?execution=e2s1  

2. Should i send it as a gift instead? (at least for the first time)

• NO!!
• If someone paid for it, it's not a gift.
• US residents have a $800 duty free allowance, so you're not helping and they don't need it.

3. what kind of company should i be to sell online?

• you don't need to be a company
• if you earn more than $30, 000 annually, you must register to collect sales taxes.
• more important you have to remit those sales taxes

4. what do i do about taxes and etc...

• If you are buying for resale, keep records of all your expenses and payments, you have to report your profit (the difference between expenses and payments) on your income tax