brbo
Well-known
Great many people actually do something similar. We call it lottery here.
Your proposal has less chances of winning, though.
No, it's because many abroad from the US think shipping internationally is cheap... but if you do it right (protecting the seller), it is never cheap. It's easier just to avoid since there are plenty of US buyers.
CliveC
Well-known
I don't mind taxes so much as the hassle of customs, handling fees, delays etc.
The point is moot these days because of our abysmal exchange rates.
The point is moot these days because of our abysmal exchange rates.
Lauffray
Invisible Cities
Paul T.
Veteran
Sorry, but I think the entire premise of the OP is silly.
Yes, if I can reduce someone's import taxes I will do so.
Yes, if I buy a lens for $150 and a seller will put the selling price as $95 then I'm fine with that. If it passes under the radar of customs, then that also saves me a collection fee to the courier. I can claim my VAT back, but I"ll never get that collection fee, which is a simple scam.
Secondly, sales taxes are dubious anyway - it's well known they're unfair and target the poor who are in essence more highly taxed than the rich in the UK.
HMRC, the British Customs, are quite happy to take tax to which they're not entitled. For instance, they've slapped VAT on boxes of books I've received; and there is no VAT on books. So if the whole thing evens out, thanks to some modest under-declaring, that is fine by me.
I don't mind paying taxes, I lose plenty of receipts that I can claim against tax, but as for flag-waving for a patently unfair tax, which then comes with extra arbitrary fees from dodgy privatised companies - forget it!
Yes, if I can reduce someone's import taxes I will do so.
Yes, if I buy a lens for $150 and a seller will put the selling price as $95 then I'm fine with that. If it passes under the radar of customs, then that also saves me a collection fee to the courier. I can claim my VAT back, but I"ll never get that collection fee, which is a simple scam.
Secondly, sales taxes are dubious anyway - it's well known they're unfair and target the poor who are in essence more highly taxed than the rich in the UK.
HMRC, the British Customs, are quite happy to take tax to which they're not entitled. For instance, they've slapped VAT on boxes of books I've received; and there is no VAT on books. So if the whole thing evens out, thanks to some modest under-declaring, that is fine by me.
I don't mind paying taxes, I lose plenty of receipts that I can claim against tax, but as for flag-waving for a patently unfair tax, which then comes with extra arbitrary fees from dodgy privatised companies - forget it!
Beemermark
Veteran
Funny, in 30 years of selling I don't think I've ever had anyone ask me to reduce the value of the item on the custom forms.
ellisson
Well-known
No one can deny your feelings and the opinions of others in this thread about taxation and customs policies. But the main point made by the OP is that many sellers, including myself, will not falsify customs forms when shipping outside the country to reduce the actual selling price. It should not be expected, and if
you don't like this, you can continue to buy from someone who is willing to falsify the actual selling price.
That is the main point of the OP. It is not silly at all.
you don't like this, you can continue to buy from someone who is willing to falsify the actual selling price.
That is the main point of the OP. It is not silly at all.
colyn
ישו משיח
I can assure you that as a seller I know from personal experience this does not work.. Before I started quit selling to Canadian and overseas buyers I would be asked by most buyers to devalue the item and/or declare it as a gift even though my description clearly stated I would not..