![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
modernwizardThe US does not charge customs charges on incoming international packages. Apparently, this is not standard practice; most countries do charge customs fees on incoming international packages. I just sent Jareth's body to France, for example. The buyer wanted me to mark the package's value at $75.00 so that she would have to pay only a small amount in customs fees [25-30% of marked value!].
However, I wanted to adequately insure the package in case it got eaten [as Little Will's open head was], and the amount insured for had to equal the stated value. So I had to state $675.00 as a value and insure for $650.00 [the max allowed on international priority]. Now the buyer is distressed about having to pay customs fees.
Overseas shipping is just a huge, anxiety-producing, expensive hassle, even if the recipients aren't trying to avoid high customs charges.
PBBBBBFFFT.
That package had better arrive promptly and in excellent condition. I am never going to sell dolls out of the US again.
However, I wanted to adequately insure the package in case it got eaten [as Little Will's open head was], and the amount insured for had to equal the stated value. So I had to state $675.00 as a value and insure for $650.00 [the max allowed on international priority]. Now the buyer is distressed about having to pay customs fees.
Overseas shipping is just a huge, anxiety-producing, expensive hassle, even if the recipients aren't trying to avoid high customs charges.
PBBBBBFFFT.
That package had better arrive promptly and in excellent condition. I am never going to sell dolls out of the US again.
no subject
Date: Mar. 3rd, 2009 11:31 pm (UTC)...wait, so, you are supposed to eat the other $575 worth of lost revenue should the thing disappear in transit/be dicked with by customs because they might have to pay the charges?
Shouldn't they work that into their plan ahead of time? That constitutes fail in my book. *headscratch*
I know exactly what you mean, I used to order a lot of stuff though a "middleman" agent, until they decided to get cagey. :/