International Shipment

[Midnite8]

I just an item to someone in France for $1350. They want me to mark the value for the item as $100 with no insurance. I know they just want to avoid customs fees/etc. and I know this is illegal but is there any risk for me? What should I do

 

[Zepher]

I would have them Western Union me the cash before I send out the item internationally.
After I have the cash, I would send it to them with no insurance and $100 value.

I don't trust cashiers checks unless they are drawn on a local bank that I can go to and cash it.

 

[CacaSapo]

There's no risk to you. I have stuff sent to me in Brazil all the time.
Another country's customs fees and import regulations aren't the sender's responsibility, they're the recipient's.

Like Zepher said, as long as you got your cash and the recipient knows you aren't responsible if their $1300 item is crushed by a mail truck, turning into a $100 item, ship it out.

 

[m33pm33p]

There's no risk to you. I have stuff sent to me in Brazil all the time.
Another country's customs fees and import regulations aren't the sender's responsibility, they're the recipient's.

Like Zepher said, as long as you got your cash and the recipient knows you aren't responsible if their $1300 item is crushed by a mail truck, turning into a $100 item, ship it out.

Yea not so much. EBay is going to give the buyer back a full $1300 regardless. You can trust that... CYA, if he sends you money through some kind of irrefutable source then cool, go for it. If he does it through paypal, screw that.

 

[plyer3]

Phew that is a huge amount. I never had any trouble putting the values low for them to avoid customs. But yeah, like everyone else said, I'd be more worried about Paypal.

 

[samm]

im sorry but why would you risk it? Check PayPal's international seller coverage terms and conditions. Follow the rules and go from there. For $1350, i`d want it covered in case unforeseen crap happens.

 

[Midnite8]

Well the buyer told me he will "take full responsibility for it" Should I get like a signed declaration stating he will accept any consequences such as no insurance cover, liability for any fees?

 

[Blue Fox]

Well the buyer told me he will "take full responsibility for it" Should I get like a signed declaration stating he will accept any consequences such as no insurance cover, liability for any fees?

Won't do you any good. You are 100% responsible no matter what they say in eBay's eyes. If the item gets lost/damaged, they'll get a full refund.

 

[Zepher]

Ah, didn't realize I was in the eBay forum.
As an eBay seller, you are responsible to get the item to the buyer in the condition stated in the auction, so it needs to be insured for the item price, shipping, and insurance so if anything happens, you are covered, doesn't matter what the buyer says, eBay will side with him if the item gets lost or arrives damaged.
And I wouldn't do Paypal for an international sale of that amount. Wire transfer only.

Tell him you will void the eBay sale, and ship it to him on his terms with a wire transfer for payment.

 

[samm]

Well the buyer told me he will "take full responsibility for it" Should I get like a signed declaration stating he will accept any consequences such as no insurance cover, liability for any fees?

Ya go right ahead. If the item gets lost or the buyer claims he never got it or one of the crazy scenarios out there the promissory note is absolutely worthless to Ebay or Paypal. They have policies you have to follow to even get attention that you may be right in some sense (winning a claim against a buyer is another ball game). If you don`t follow that automatic denied. In addition if the item is lost or stolen, you can sue the buyer, problem is that note you got from him has a limitation to be used only in US courts soo France HAHA.

Do yourself and your wallet a favor and just go by the book.