New import/tariff rules on eBay

[UKCardGuy]

Originally Posted by Brian

Is anyone else struggling to figure out the new rules with import fees and/or having issues with shipments from Europe? I paid for an item and then asked if there were any additional fees, to which the seller replied that he did not think so. In some cases, new tariffs are clearly spelled out, but that is not always the case, I've noticed.

Today, after a week in transit, I get an email saying an item was returned to the seller because of "an anomaly" related to the import paperwork. The seller does not understand it, either, but I have no clue how this works. It may be import fee related or not; it's just not clear as there was no explanation (of course).

Anyone else having issues? I did not see this discussed before, but if it has been, please point me to a link.

Being based in the UK, I'm have the problem in reverse. The removal of the de minimis rule for imports the US has caused havoc with shipments into the US. I've taken down all of my US ebay listings because there's too much uncertainty.

I suspect you're seller's paperwork failed to identify the country of origin, which is a new part of the US import requirements. I think because the presidential order rushed through the changes to the de minimis rules made things worse. Most of the post offices and big shippers didn't have time to update their systems and there are a number of uncertainties. As a result, a large number of postal services (including the UK) have suspended all shipments (other than letters) to the USA.

Some of the open questions are about the calculation of the import duties. Do those have to be paid by the seller or the buyer. The rules means that a package can either be charged the new duties or a fixed fee. It's not clear which one. For example, from the UK, it would be a 10% duty but they could decide to charge an $80 fixed fee. So if I sell a $20 card to the US, the buyer could end up paying a $10% fee (e.g. $2). That's not disastrous, but normally USPS will charge a fee for having to process the duties. I'm not sure how much that it, but let's say it's $6. That's $8 of import fees on a $20 card. I don't think many buyers will be happy with that. But if the US authorities decide to charge the default fixed fee rather than the calculated duties, then it could be an $86 customs duty for a $20 card. That's pretty nuts.

Now, country of origin should be the easy out. If I'm selling a 1960 Topps baseball card, the country of origin is the good ol' USA. So it shouldn't attract any duties. But it's not clear how that will actually work with the customers officers in the USA. It could be that they ignore that and try to charge the fees. Or, the package could be held for inspection. That could add weeks while the package is held by US customs.

As a seller, it's not something I'm keen to try out. I think most buyers would either reject the shipment and I'd have to pay the return shipping to the UK or they've file a item not received claim and I'd be out the money and the card.

I'm hoping that the changes to the de minimis levels are stuck down or the process calms down we get some clarity. Until then, it's really frustrating for buyers and sellers.