Dispelling some myths about international shipping [Sitemap]

DoctorIt

May-01-2008, 01:52 PM

Well Gus... It's quite easy to mail here. Just drop in an envelope, place postage and it's out the door. Don't need to head down to the Post Office for anything special. Hope this clarifies...
As mod of an international flea market, I get to stir this pot, and you, Seymore, get to be the example :bad

Now that I live outside the US, I find this attitude pretty annoying myself. All you need to do is put a few extra stamps on it, and then you can just drop the envelope in the mailbox, just like anything else. We're always happy to pay the extra shipping cost, but so many of you are so "afraid". Why?

gluwater

May-01-2008, 02:10 PM

As mod of an international flea market, I get to stir this pot, and you, Seymore, get to be the example :bad

Now that I live outside the US, I find this attitude pretty annoying myself. All you need to do is put a few extra stamps on it, and then you can just drop the envelope in the mailbox, just like anything else. We're always happy to pay the extra shipping cost, but so many of you are so "afraid". Why?
I think most people are unsure of what they need to do to mail internationally. Things such as customs declarations scare people and make them think it's a lot of work.

At work we mail millions of pieces a month and i process a lot of that data. The way people treat international addresses is attrocious.

Here's a link to figure out international postage for those interested. USPS postage calculator (http://ircalc.usps.gov/)

Hey Doc, maybe someone should make a guide to international shipping so people wouldn't be so weary of it.

gus

May-01-2008, 08:44 PM

I think most people are unsure of what they need to do to mail internationally. Things such as customs declarations scare people and make them think it's a lot of work.

I buy sometimes several items a week from all over the world & also post the same from ebay ...its as simple as doc says...the buyer adds a few dollars more.

Customs nothing, you drop it in the mail box with the extra stamp.

The amount of times i have tried to buy stuff from this forum or other US forums & been met with silence is astounding.

People have in the past asked me to send stuff over seas yet they refuse to do so themselves. There is an entire world outside the USA guys & it usually just requires about 15 seconds extra thought power thats all.

gus

May-01-2008, 08:45 PM

BTW, you get my PM?
Yes..thankyou.

i_worship_the_King

May-01-2008, 09:22 PM

$11 + 2 weeks to Australia. Shiesh.

gus

May-01-2008, 09:29 PM

$11 + 2 weeks to Australia. Shiesh.
Last week i bought a large leather coat from the UK...$20 USD in postage & 5 days delivery via Royal mail. I sent a 2 foot square box to SmugMug a while back...about 10 lb in weight & it got there in 10 days & cost $30 USD to send. I dont know where you are getting your postage costs for an envelope from.

Anyway my point isnt about the stickers...its curiosity about this apparent primal fear i have encountered maybe 15-20 times over of people refusing to post outside the US. There may be good reason & i was wondering what it could be if the buyer pays the extra postage :scratch

i_worship_the_King

May-01-2008, 09:42 PM

That was straight from the USPS website. I think I put in a 3oz envelope, first class mail.:dunno

Seymore

May-01-2008, 10:35 PM

:huh :dunno :scratch :rolleyes :noob

Its posted for ya!
Thanks man... :thumb

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:soapbox

OK people, and this also includes you Erik... I make decisions that I want, after all it's my sale and my decision is to ship wherever I want. This one is within the US and Canada only. Clear enough?

And I'm not "afraid" of shipping overseas, but I don't appreciate the pressure you feel is needed to force a seller to do something he/she don't want to deal with. And I've been away from the USA on a number of occasions, so I'm not an idiot when it comes to dealing with people/companies away from the Continent of North America. With this sale I choose not to, period.

[/soapbox]

gus

May-01-2008, 10:40 PM

Thanks man... :thumb

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:soapbox

OK people, and this also includes you Erik... I make decisions that I want, after all it's my sale and my decision is to ship wherever I want. This one is within the US and Canada only. Clear enough?

And I'm not "afraid" of shipping overseas, but I don't appreciate the pressure you feel is needed to force a seller to do something he/she don't want to deal with. And I've been away from the USA on a number of occasions, so I'm not an idiot when it comes to dealing with people/companies away from the Continent of North America. With this sale I choose not to, period.

[/soapbox]
Mate im not having a personal chop at you. Im am simply curious as to why so many people refuse to post outside the US. You will remember a short while ago you wanted to buy that old camera from me...well i can assume from that that you would have wanted me to post it to the US :dunno Of which i would have no issues doing so had i wanted to sell it.

I am trying to understand what its all about thats all.

Seymore

May-01-2008, 10:52 PM

Mate im not having a personal chop at you. Im am simply curious as to why so many people refuse to post outside the US. You will remember a short while ago you wanted to buy that old camera from me...well i can assume from that that you would have wanted me to post it to the US :dunno Of which i would have no issues doing so had i wanted to sell it.

I am trying to understand what its all about thats all.
I understand Gus... and not redirecting anything, chop or otherwise, at you.

In certain cases I just don't want to spend 30+ min at the PO having to deal with explaining where it going and filling out customs forms. Yes, anything departing the USA requires one of these. And honestly, it can be a royal PITA sometimes. OK?

gus

May-01-2008, 10:54 PM

Seymore

May-01-2008, 11:03 PM

Ok..im starting to understand. The US requires a customs form just to send even a letter ? That sucks. We simply address something & post it as normal...anything for that matter.
Yep, since 9-11 many thing have changed here. And for that matter, prices on most everything have really sky-rocketed in the US. BTW, I checked postage to Australia via the link in Nicks post (http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=818470&postcount=8) above, and it would cost $2.70 for 1st class international... for a $6 item? And my time is also money, so that was another guiding aspect of my decision. Just wanted to keep things simple from this end...

Thanks for the dialog mate...

gus

May-01-2008, 11:08 PM

Yep, since 9-11 many thing have changed here. And for that matter, I prices on most everything have really sky-rocketed in the US. BTW, I checked postage to Australia via the link in Nicks post (http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=818470&postcount=8) above, and it would cost $2.70 for 1st class international... for a $6 item? And my time is also money, so that was another guiding aspect of my decision. Just wanted to keep things simple from this end...

Thanks for the dialog mate...
Interesting...this sort of stuff is the true result of a successful terrorist act regardless of whom actually did what.

gluwater

May-02-2008, 12:59 PM

I understand Gus... and not redirecting anything, chop or otherwise, at you.

In certain cases I just don't want to spend 30+ min at the PO having to deal with explaining where it going and filling out customs forms. Yes, anything departing the USA requires one of these. And honestly, it can be a royal PITA sometimes. OK?
Actually that is incorrect. First class International Mail that is not potentially Dutiable does not need a Customs Declaration Form. See Exhibit 123.61 (http://pe.usps.gov/text/imm/immc1_008.htm).
Just for reference, for you to mail the same letter to me in Chicago it would cost $.75 so $1.95 more to ship something half way around the world doesn't seem too outrageous to me. And for the reecord I am not trying to pressure you into doing anything. I was simply trying to help anyone reading this to understand that international mail isn't as difficult as people assume it is.

DoctorIt

May-02-2008, 03:52 PM

Yes, anything departing the USA requires one of these.Eeehhhhh WRONG.

http://img.skitch.com/20080502-pc81sqbgkn3fb4wxg1jc8dmfwr.jpg

USPS letters, 90cents, NO customs form. We get about 1 a week.

Sorry, not "chopping" either, just can't stand by while blatently incorrect information is being shared.

DoctorIt

May-02-2008, 03:58 PM

Actually that is incorrect. First class International Mail that is not potentially Dutiable does not need a Customs Declaration Form. See Exhibit 123.61 (http://pe.usps.gov/text/imm/immc1_008.htm).
Just for reference, for you to mail the same letter to me in Chicago it would cost $.75 so $1.95 more to ship something half way around the world doesn't seem too outrageous to me.Especially since its actually not 2.70, its only 90c, see above :D

And for the reecord I am not trying to pressure you into doing anything. I was simply trying to help anyone reading this to understand that international mail isn't as difficult as people assume it is.Yup, nobody is pressuring anything now. It's a seperate thread. :thumb

gluwater

May-02-2008, 04:15 PM

Especially since its actually not 2.70, its only 90c, see above :D

Yup, nobody is pressuring anything now. It's a seperate thread. :thumb
Since he stated $2.70 I was assuming it was a 3oz envelope. But you are correct, if it was a 1oz envelope it would be $.90.

USPS postage rates will also be adjusted on May 12th (http://www.usps.com/prices/) so after that a 1oz 1st class International letter will cost $.94.

DoctorIt

May-02-2008, 04:23 PM

Since he stated $2.70 I was assuming it was a 3oz envelope. But you are correct, if it was a 1oz envelope it would be $.90.

USPS postage rates will also be adjusted on May 12th (http://www.usps.com/prices/) so after that a 1oz 1st class International letter will cost $.94.another postage hike, no big surprise.

But just to be clear, even once its over 1oz, as long as its a letter envelope, still no customs form, yeah?

We'll move into packages next, I have examples of those as well. :D

gluwater

May-02-2008, 04:47 PM

another postage hike, no big surprise.

But just to be clear, even once its over 1oz, as long as its a letter envelope, still no customs form, yeah?

We'll move into packages next, I have examples of those as well. :D
It's a little more complicated than it just being in an envelope. It has to meet the requirements of 243.21 to be considered First Class International Mail (http://pe.usps.com/text/Imm/immc2_020.htm#ep966919). Also see 243.24 lower on that page for what they will charge you a surcharge on.

But if it qualifies as First Class International than you do not need a Customs Declaration unless you go over 16oz.

Please note that all this information is current at the time I write this but can change at any time. I am also not a Postal Employee.

BradfordBenn

May-02-2008, 06:05 PM

One of the things to also think about is not using the USPS to ship. I have shipped stuff to various places for both work and personal. For me using FedEx Freight or UPS was worth the extra dollars. They helped walked me through the entire process of filling out the forms. Some of them even let you do it online. I do not recommend going to a store front, go to a owned facility as they are more helpful.

GadgetGav

May-03-2008, 05:31 AM

It's a little more complicated than it just being in an envelope. It has to meet the requirements of 243.21 to be considered First Class International Mail (http://pe.usps.com/text/Imm/immc2_020.htm#ep966919). Also see 243.24 lower on that page for what they will charge you a surcharge on.

But if it qualifies as First Class International than you do not need a Customs Declaration unless you go over 16oz.

Please note that all this information is current at the time I write this but can change at any time. I am also not a Postal Employee.

And people wonder why sellers don't want to deal with shipping internationally..??:huh
As a Brit living in America, I deal with international shipping all the time and it can be a hassle. I can see why for some cheap items it's just not worth offering international shipping even if buyers are prepared to pay the extra.

The Mack

May-03-2008, 05:39 AM

If someone doesn't want to ship out of the US or Canada, big deal. That's their right. Find someone who won't mind.

The Mack

May-03-2008, 05:40 AM

They will go up every year, in May.
another postage hike, no big surprise.

But just to be clear, even once its over 1oz, as long as its a letter envelope, still no customs form, yeah?

We'll move into packages next, I have examples of those as well. :D

rebelxtnewbie

May-03-2008, 06:07 AM

I've done international shipping before and it is quite the hassel. I don't mind b/c usually I can net more $ when selling to overseas where gear is generally more expensive. But I can see where some people are coming from.

For me to ship in the US I can just buy and print a lable online. To ship internationally, even if I print online, I have to drive to the post office to get the envelope to put the custom forms in. Some people dont have the time to go after work before the PO closes.

Also I have a personal Paypal account which charges 6% for international transactions.

gus

May-03-2008, 11:24 AM

If someone doesn't want to ship out of the US or Canada, big deal. That's their right. Find someone who won't mind.
You have missed the whole point of my question. I am interested to know why so many people in the US wont do so...not why an individual wont. As i said i have been asked to send stuff to the US by people that wont reciprocate.

gus

May-03-2008, 11:25 AM

Art Scott

May-03-2008, 11:50 AM

Maybe I am just to dense that I am missing something here but....I have shipped to the Czech Republic (Tabor and Jincie) and found that little green form I use to be realatively easy to fill out.....small list of waht is inside of box.....oe Frank Sinatra CD's....no commerical value.....gift.....not once have I had any probs not has the reciepient at least she has never said she every had to pay any taxes on the little gifts I have sent.....not has my friend in Jincie.....now I did get a call from Homeland Security asking why I was sending cash to the girls over there......I explained it was easier than sending x-mas or name day or B-day gifts.......oh the Cr isn't my only ship to destination I have shipped to the UK and various parts of Europe and central Europe (besides the CR)...all from Ebay sales...........

Heck I'll ship any where as long as it is paid for in US dollars:rofl:rofl:rofl

I got started with int'l dealings off ebay buyingKiev cameras from private sellers in the Ukraine....and that was easy peasy.....I do not understand the qualms of those that prefer not to ship Int'l...........

gluwater

May-03-2008, 01:30 PM

And people wonder why sellers don't want to deal with shipping internationally..??:huh
As a Brit living in America, I deal with international shipping all the time and it can be a hassle. I can see why for some cheap items it's just not worth offering international shipping even if buyers are prepared to pay the extra.
Those restrictions apply to Domestic First Class mail also, not just International.

Halliday

Jun-18-2008, 06:01 AM

Andy

Jun-18-2008, 06:12 AM

Eeehhhhh WRONG.

http://img.skitch.com/20080502-pc81sqbgkn3fb4wxg1jc8dmfwr.jpg

USPS letters, 90cents, NO customs form. We get about 1 a week.

Sorry, not "chopping" either, just can't stand by while blatently incorrect information is being shared.Good example. And why Dgrin is so cool, the voice of reason! :clap

Davidoff

Jun-18-2008, 07:29 AM

DoctorIt and Gus, this conversation interests me quite a bit, maybe you can shed some light on this issues. I live in portugal. Here, everything photo related is stupidly expensive. So, obviously I'd think that buying from the U.S would be cheaper, but when I tried it, I got burned. Just so you understand the seriousness of the prices here, an example:
Nikon 70-200VR, on B&H it's a bit under 1600$. On probably the "main" photography store here, it's 1980€ !!!! Here is the link. http://www.colorfoto.pt/index.php?catalogo=1&pesquisa=1&txtpesquisa=70-200&marca=&categorias=&produto_id=1665&indice=4&oldlimit=10

It wouldn't be that big of a difference, but retailers here seem to forget that the € is more expensive than the $, so that lens here is about 3,070$ !!!!! ( source: www.xe.com ). Buying from B&H it's just over 1000€. There are even worst cases.

So, as you see, I was tempted and bought the strobist kit from mpex, because I had good feedback and they had everything in a convenient package, that would be a lot harder to find here and a lot more expensive, not to mention that some things don't even exist ( Vivitar 285hv, for example ).

Now, get this, I paid about 30-40 $ shipping, then I paid tax when it got here, about 60€, and some customs taxes because I was importing goods from outside the european union, so, I paid about 100€ extra ( that's around 150$ ) . Even when buying from the U.S the "authorities" find a way to rob us.

Rant time over.

What I'd like you guys to tell me, is wether I should try and buy stuff from people in the U.S ( not stores though, second hand ) and asking them to describe the package as a gift. I read that that reduced taxes significantly, but it may not be that way anymore. Could you guys help me ? As you can see, here, price is an enormous issue.

gus

Jun-18-2008, 11:04 AM

What I'd like you guys to tell me, is wether I should try and buy stuff from people in the U.S ( not stores though, second hand ) and asking them to describe the package as a gift. I read that that reduced taxes significantly, but it may not be that way anymore. Could you guys help me ? As you can see, here, price is an enormous issue.

Yes we face a 10% tax on anything new imported here over $1000 AUD so buying second hand is a huge bonus...if....you can get someone to reply to you. Ive had so many people from the US simply refuse to post out of the US however they have expected me to post to them...fair isnt it ?

Our dollar is slowing creeping up towards the USD & we are almost there...we have an incredibly strong mining industry here (our entire continent is either coal/iron ore/bauxite or yellow cake) & its been spoken that our dollar AUD will overtake the USD in the not so distant future.

To answer your question...people may package the goods as a gift but that will be half the problem compared to just getting someone to acknowledge you exist. My advise would be to speak to our man on this forum ..Remford (http://www.dgrin.com/member.php?u=27460). Im sure he could help you out.

Davidoff

Jun-18-2008, 11:33 AM

Yes we face a 10% tax on anything new imported here over $1000 AUD so buying second hand is a huge bonus...if....you can get someone to reply to you. Ive had so many people from the US simply refuse to post out of the US however they have expected me to post to them...fair isnt it ?

Our dollar is slowing creeping up towards the USD & we are almost there...we have an incredibly strong mining industry here (our entire continent is either coal/iron ore/bauxite or yellow cake) & its been spoken that our dollar AUD will overtake the USD in the not so distant future.

To answer your question...people may package the goods as a gift but that will be half the problem compared to just getting someone to acknowledge you exist. My advise would be to speak to our man on this forum ..Remford (http://www.dgrin.com/member.php?u=27460). Im sure he could help you out.

Thanks Gus. Who is Remford though ? Looks like he only sells Canon gear.

DoctorIt

Jun-18-2008, 03:43 PM

What I'd like you guys to tell me, is wether I should try and buy stuff from people in the U.S ( not stores though, second hand ) and asking them to describe the package as a gift.I don't know the ins and outs of this, but as far as I can tell (from my experience on both sides of the Pacific Ocean), if you are receiving a package from a private individual, it can't be dutied. How could they possibly discern the difference between a package from my mom or from Andy if I bought a lens from him? Unfair and unrealistic. You don't even pay sales tax in the US on used items, why should you pay them across borders?

On another point, I'm glad people stop in to voice their concerns, but I would like to just say that getting "burned" has absolutely no correlation with borders. You can just as easily get burned in an internet transaction by someone 100 miles away.

In other words, thanks for the rants about getting burned by Canadian sellers, but they don't do much to help in making this an international community that helps its members around the world.
:D

You should always do your homework and follow good practice whether you are dealing locally or a world away. All the same policies apply: good communication, everything agreed upon ahead of time, verification, etc...

Jet

Jun-18-2008, 04:23 PM

I don't know the ins and outs of this, but as far as I can tell (from my experience on both sides of the Pacific Ocean), if you are receiving a package from a private individual, it can't be dutied. How could they possibly discern the difference between a package from my mom or from Andy if I bought a lens from him? Unfair and unrealistic. You don't even pay sales tax in the US on used items, why should you pay them across borders?

On another point, I'm glad people stop in to voice their concerns, but I would like to just say that getting "burned" has absolutely no correlation with borders. You can just as easily get burned in an internet transaction by someone 100 miles away.

In other words, thanks for the rants about getting burned by Canadian sellers, but they don't do much to help in making this an international community that helps its members around the world.
:D

You should always do your homework and follow good practice whether you are dealing locally or a world away. All the same policies apply: good communication, everything agreed upon ahead of time, verification, etc...

I agree - you can be burnt by nearly anyone anywhere if you don't do your homework and play safe.

I have bought nearly all my gear internationally from private sellers who don't mind sending overseas - all successful so far :D

It is a pain when people don't ship overseas, is filling in a form so hard? :scratch

Art Scott

Jun-18-2008, 04:27 PM

What I'd like you guys to tell me, is wether I should try and buy stuff from people in the U.S ( not stores though, second hand ) and asking them to describe the package as a gift. I read that that reduced taxes significantly, but it may not be that way anymore. Could you guys help me ? As you can see, here, price is an enormous issue.

David.....each country in the EU has different regulations on gifting amounts......I have friends in the Czech Republic and I can send $200 or $250 per year to my friend without THEM being taxed for it....however if I go over that say and send a second gift of $50, I was told they will get taxed for the whole $300 not the amount over the gift law ($50)....You should check your countries regs to see what is what..............
I know that coming to the USA I have purchased several Kiev Cameras from a Gentleman IN Kiev Ukraine and was never taxed by the USA govt........So what happens in one country will not be the norm in another.

HTH

Art Scott

Jun-18-2008, 04:37 PM

As someone who was burned by buying an item of ebay from a Canadian seller, let me tell you why I don't deal with buying anything used from a non-commercial seller from America's top hat.

I bought a photo cd off ebay and the seller was in Canada. I sent him the $ via Paypal, he never shipped. After trying to go thru both ebay and Paypal I was told "out of luck." I have no recourse now. It was not a lot of $ but knowing I have little to no protection from international sellers, I won't mess with it again.

Buying from an actual Canadian store is another matter :)

I'd sell to anyone anywhere, as long as it's all paid before shipping.

I have never had paypal tell me too bad we won't do anything.....that is why both Ebay and Paypal have their buyer protection in place......what they can't seem to control is people selling an item for $11.50 and charging $15.00 for USPS priority mail when the item weighs less than 1lb and the flat rate charge by USPS IS only $9.98.........sellers off the is bull crap dialouge of gas is $4/gal and it takes me 1 hr in traffic to get to the Post Office....when IN reality all of the packaging supplies can be delivered to your door and picked up by the Postperson........damn I even get priority tape delivered when I remember to order it...............and I am one of those sellers that charges exactly what the post is....now if I am out of protective supplies (styro-peanuts or bubble wrap) and I am forced to buy it then yes I charge for what I use to pack your shipment.....but if I buy 10lbs of peanuts and use 1/2 pound I do not charge for the 10 I purchased only for what I use...................
On Ebay I highly recommend that you converse with everyone you are interested in purchaseing from to get all questions answered ahead of the purchase.

bauerman

Jun-18-2008, 06:04 PM

I think that it is also important to state that if someone decides to only deal with people in North America that they not be questioned personally as to their motives and/or why they will or will not ship outside of the continent.

That can be taken wrong and actually make the person less likely to ship elsewhere in the future. They may just get the mindset that, "well if they are going to give me grief about my sale, I will surely only ship to the US in the future!" Just thought that I would mention that. This is a profitable discussion and I learned a few things by reading through it, but when it comes down to brass tacks....you have to respect a sellers decision even if you do not agree with it.

gus

Jun-18-2008, 10:16 PM

...you have to respect a sellers decision even if you do not agree with it.
Sure...but dont ANYONE expect me to respect someone that wont ship outside the US to you but has the audacity to ask that you ship to them in US.

Davidoff

Jun-19-2008, 02:39 AM

I don't know the ins and outs of this, but as far as I can tell (from my experience on both sides of the Pacific Ocean), if you are receiving a package from a private individual, it can't be dutied. How could they possibly discern the difference between a package from my mom or from Andy if I bought a lens from him? Unfair and unrealistic. You don't even pay sales tax in the US on used items, why should you pay them across borders?

On another point, I'm glad people stop in to voice their concerns, but I would like to just say that getting "burned" has absolutely no correlation with borders. You can just as easily get burned in an internet transaction by someone 100 miles away.

In other words, thanks for the rants about getting burned by Canadian sellers, but they don't do much to help in making this an international community that helps its members around the world.
:D

You should always do your homework and follow good practice whether you are dealing locally or a world away. All the same policies apply: good communication, everything agreed upon ahead of time, verification, etc...

I didn't mean "burned" that way. I was not burned by the seller, mpex was great, I was burned by the local laws. I don't know how they distinguish it from a gift, but what is stopping a used lens inside the original box with warranty papers from being taxed as new ?

Moogle Pepper

Jun-19-2008, 04:45 AM

My brother sells and ships internationally often, and I would too if I had goods that someone would want, I would sell and ship internationally as well. I have bought a lens from DoctorIT a while ago. It was a fast and easy transaction. [He lives in Oz.] :wink

I didn't mean "burned" that way. I was not burned by the seller, mpex was great, I was burned by the local laws. I don't know how they distinguish it from a gift, but what is stopping a used lens inside the original box with warranty papers from being taxed as new ?

From my understanding, if it is being sold from an individual not from a store, there will most likely not be tax.

You just need to communicate thoroughly with each other before buying and selling.

bauerman

Jun-19-2008, 03:49 PM

Sure...but dont ANYONE expect me to respect someone that wont ship outside the US to you but has the audacity to ask that you ship to them in US.

You obviously have a 'principles' thing with not shipping to the US if we here will not reciprocate the favor. I can understand that and that is your choice.

But it boils down to economics and numbers. Use Australia as an example......a country of 20 million people and only a small percentage of that 20 million being interested in purchasing photographic equipment. If a person living in Australia limits his sales to his homeland - he is really narrowing things down a bit from a potential buyer perspective. Now on the other hand, the US has over 300 million people.....limiting your sales to 'US only' does not have the same consequences from a potential buyer pool perspective.

What does all this mean? To me it means that if you live in Australia or a similar smaller country from a population perspective there is possibly big motivation to sell outside your shores.......really opens up the potential buyers. But, if you live in the US that same level of 'urgency' to sell something outside the US may not be there because you have plenty of potential buyers right here.

Art Scott

Jun-19-2008, 04:07 PM

I didn't mean "burned" that way. I was not burned by the seller, mpex was great, I was burned by the local laws. I don't know how they distinguish it from a gift, but what is stopping a used lens inside the original box with warranty papers from being taxed as new ?
What I do with anything being sent outside of the USA, whether sold or an actual gift is to write in the value comments area of the green sheet.....OF NO COMMERCIAL VALUE .....learned to do this when working for the NCR factory that used to be here in Wichita.....that alert the customs guys it is private or not to be resold ...... we used it for repair parts going directly to overseas end product customers........I always insure my shiipments also, so I do have to declare a value of what I am shipping, but the NCV statement I believe has kept friends and clients from having to pay any duties on what i have sent them.................
another thing to do is see if a seller will just place a note inside the shipment that this is all used equiptment and have them to send the reciepts and all warranty cards and such in a separate envelope as a letter..... I have done this and it has been done by sellers in the Ukraine for me and I have never had to pay any duty tax (import tax) on any item I bought over seas or even from Canada....I have purchased Lowe Pro products new from Canada and never paid any duty.......

To just go out on a limb here's a bit of my own humble opinon on this matter......any person refusing to sell or ship overseas is just plain lazy, if filling out a simple 1 tiny piece of paper (approx 3" sq) is tht hard for you, then just how lazy are you with your own job......I was nervous my first time but damn it is only a few lines of info about 30 secs worth of time ..... there are only a few countries that the US govt warns people to not do business with, they are the same countries that 99.9% of all internet scams come out of......if the country is listed in paypals list of countries they are available in then I see no reason to do business with people of that country, and I am one of the few sellers athat only charges the customer exactly what the post office charges me...... I was doing business with people in Kiev Ukraine before the Soviet break up ........ so I guess I have been lucky..........I won't do business even with a US CITIZEN that wants only MO of any type or WU or MG's only......if you do not do paypal even if I offer to pay an extra 3-6% then I will cancel the deal or just not bid if it is an auction........I always ask ahead of a purchase or bid.......

Davidoff

Jun-19-2008, 04:20 PM

What I do with anything being sent outside of the USA, whether sold or an actual gift is to write in the value comments area of the green sheet.....OF NO COMMERCIAL VALUE .....learned to do this when working for the NCR factory that used to be here in Wichita.....that alert the customs guys it is private or not to be resold ...... we used it for repair parts going directly to overseas end product customers........I always insure my shiipments also, so I do have to declare a value of what I am shipping, but the NCV statement I believe has kept friends and clients from having to pay any duties on what i have sent them.................
another thing to do is see if a seller will just place a note inside the shipment that this is all used equiptment and have them to send the reciepts and all warranty cards and such in a separate envelope as a letter..... I have done this and it has been done by sellers in the Ukraine for me and I have never had to pay any duty tax (import tax) on any item I bought over seas or even from Canada....I have purchased Lowe Pro products new from Canada and never paid any duty.......

So Scott, you make them know that it's of no commercial value *and* you mention what it's worth for insurance purposes ? And they don't tax it in the recieving country's customs ?

Art Scott

Jun-19-2008, 06:19 PM

So Scott, you make them know that it's of no commercial value *and* you mention what it's worth for insurance purposes ? And they don't tax it in the recieving country's customs ?

As I stated earleir in this thread.....I have only had one incident that cost my friend and her family money for duty tax and taht was when I sent her a second gift that went the CZ's gift amount by $50 and they wound up paying taxes for $300 instead of just the $50 that I was over..........
Ihave never had to pay any taxes on my imports nor has anyone I have shipped to had to pay any taxes...................so far.................

I would always suggest to never have it addressed to a business name always an individual's name........I think it might be a problem shipping to a business as a birthday or christmas or even a NAME DAY gift.............

I have been called on the carpet by a division of the US govt for sending money to europe to the same people 3 or 4 times a year even tho it was relatively small amounts....less than $500 each time......so yes I have been scrutinized by the central scrutinizer....................:D

As I said in that same earlier post......YOU need to get to know your countries import/export laws.....there are some countries (the Czech Republic is one) that if an item can be purchased in that country then it gets taxed at a very high rate ( the list price for the taxing country).....so when I send gifts, I try to make sure they are pretty much one of a kind items that will not be made or sold in the Cz........

But for used equipment I do think most countries will for go any taxation..............

David you may have been taxed on your MPIX purchase due to fact that there is a lab in Portugal that can provide the same services, even if 10X higher.............just my guess

btw i go by Art....using last name is FAR TOO FORMAL for me......I don't even like Mr. or Sir :rofl ....... do not worry I am not offended:thumb ........on here I look at most everyone as a friend and with friends no formality is necessary........:D :thumb

Davidoff

Jun-20-2008, 04:30 PM

David you may have been taxed on your MPIX purchase due to fact that there is a lab in Portugal that can provide the same services, even if 10X higher.............just my guess

btw i go by Art....using last name is FAR TOO FORMAL for me......I don't even like Mr. or Sir :rofl ....... do not worry I am not offended:thumb ........on here I look at most everyone as a friend and with friends no formality is necessary........:D :thumb

Absolutely, I'm glad you feel that way, sorry I called you by your second name :D

It was mpex, the midwest exchange store, not the printing lab I think you're referring to. I think it was taxed because it clearly stated what it was and that it was an item bought from a store, not only a store but a store outside the European Union, something that would not happen if it was from a private individual, I think.

gus

Jun-21-2008, 11:25 PM

You obviously have a 'principles' thing with not shipping to the US if we here will not reciprocate the favor. I can understand that and that is your choice.

Yeah i mean its this easy.

Example ; I (in 0z) buy from you in the US & then you want to buy from me in 0z & i plain refuse without explanation. There is such a thing i believe as pro-quo. That is simply bloody rude & narrow minded.

Art Scott

Jun-22-2008, 03:59 AM

Yeah i mean its this easy.

Example ; I (in 0z) buy from you in the US & then you want to buy from me in 0z & i plain refuse without explanation. There is such a thing i believe as pro-quo. That is simply bloody rude & narrow minded.

quid - pro - quo...........me thinks....but haven't slept in over 36hrs agin so not sure mate...................

bauerman

Jun-22-2008, 07:48 AM

quid - pro - quo...........me thinks....but haven't slept in over 36hrs agin so not sure mate...................

You are correct Art - now go to bed!

DVDM

Jun-24-2008, 02:56 PM

My brother sells and ships internationally often, and I would too if I had goods that someone would want, I would sell and ship internationally as well. I have bought a lens from DoctorIT a while ago. It was a fast and easy transaction. [He lives in Oz.] :wink

From my understanding, if it is being sold from an individual not from a store, there will most likely not be tax.

You just need to communicate thoroughly with each other before buying and selling.

Hello. I live in Moscow, Russia and buy stuff from e-bay once in a week =) So in Russia there's law: if the parcel cost is higher than 400$, you must pay 30% tax from sum exceeds 400$. Example - lens cost 500$, so I must pay 33$ tax.
The best way to ship to Russia is Priority Airmail or EMS. Not UPS, DHL or FedEx, cause they pay much higher tax.

And please ! Don't be afraid of selling to Russia. It's very sad when I see "US or Canada only". It's often a most interesting lot =)

Thank you and good luck all dgrinners ! =)

Dimitri