Ebay item paid duty up front now have invoice from DHL

[Kenny202]

Bought an item on Ebay with prepaid duty etc. 45 pounds. Arrived in Bangkok DHL today and they have sent me an invoice for approximately the same amount again. I've sent them an email and advised ebay paying duty prepaid but don't hold out a lot of hope. Seller not helpful, says its ebays responsibility so have to contact them which I'd probably be better off talking to the wall. Has anyone had any experience with this or is it just a try on by DHL? I know they have a bad name here

Why is everything so bloody difficult here? My mum posted us some used baby clothes a few weeks ago and the post are trying to charge us $50US for duty! Even new the items wouldn't be worth that. Had a gutful of it

[Crossy]

If you want the items then pay DHL and argue with ebay, if it's not that desperate get DHL to return to sender then argue with ebay.

This pre-pay duty scam service is discussed in several other threads here, standard advice, avoid sellers who insist on you using it.

[curtklay]

It sounds like your seller used the EBay "Global Shipping Program". I found out, like you, that is a huge mistake. Crossy has given you the best advice. Whichever way you go, you will get your money back, but be prepared for a battle. And next time, only use sellers that do their own shipping, preferably by the postal service.

[Misterwhisper]

That scam pre-paid duty "service" has been a thorn in the side of many ebayers for a quite a few years now.

Firstly, the charges are exorbitant, secondly the service is highly unreliable (many shipments reportedly get "lost" in transit), and thirdly there is no guarantee that additional charges can be avoided in the destination country (as in your experience).

For example, I recently saw a not particularly valuable set of old stamps I was interested in. However, the seller was in the U.S. and had specified that so-called "service". The stamps themselves would have cost me a mere 99 U.S. cents, while for shipping plus alleged "customs duty" I would have paid a whopping $26!!! For a thin envelope probably not weighing more than 20 grams and containing merchandise worth less than 1 measly buck!!! Needless to say that I didn't buy.

For the future, boycott (and don't buy from) any seller that specifies "Customs services and international tracking provided" (or similar wording) in their item listing.

There certainly are enough sellers on ebay who do NOT utilize that 'service" and ship for very reasonable rates.

[Kenny202]

I've bought about 10 things using customs pre paid and no problems. My biggest issue has been actually getting the items in one piece (or at all) from Thai post. In this case even if i get stiffed with extra duty im still 50% better off than buying from Thailand. From what I read the issue seems to be with DHL and trying to double dip. I'll report back on the outcome. I really wonder if there is any chance this country will ever pull itself up

[Suradit69]

It sounds like your seller used the EBay "Global Shipping Program". I found out, like you, that is a huge mistake. Crossy has given you the best advice. Whichever way you go, you will get your money back, but be prepared for a battle. And next time, only use sellers that do their own shipping, preferably by the postal service.

'It sounds like your seller used the EBay "Global Shipping Program"

Ebay's Global Shipping program is a major Global Rip-off Program even when it works according to plan.

I inform sellers on eBay if they want to sell to me or have me bid on something they'll have to agree to send the item by post office with no prepaid duty. Some of them have complained to eBay, but to no avail. Others have dealt with me directly just using PayPal and leaving eBay out of the transaction.

Never had anything disappear using the post office and have never received anything that was damaged.

[Kenny202]

Again the duty I've always paid upfront has been minute and I like that I know how much it's going to be rather than have the Thai customs hold a gun to my head. I've forfeited 2 items now because of ridiculous duties exceeding the cost of the item. No arguing with them either

[Lobber]

Again the duty I've always paid upfront has been minute and I like that I know how much it's going to be rather than have the Thai customs hold a gun to my head. I've forfeited 2 items now because of ridiculous duties exceeding the cost of the item. No arguing with them either

What ever anyone says the duties paid are a scam, here. Everything is or has to be over valued to fund TC.

WE have paid 100 times more than the value of the good as we had to have the product.

One occasion I refused the parcel, the courier said that the parcel would be destroyed, we said destroy it.

Within 2 week the parcel was sent to us with no charge !! - try it.

[Crossy]

I've contacted ebay on this subject.

There is no opt-out as a buyer, so unless you can get the seller not to use the service you must shop elsewhere.

The sellers loss, not mine.

A bind if they are the only one with the product that you want, but that doesn't happen often.

[MANICMINER]

For shipping not as described, you can file a 'item not as described' case with ebay - many buyers do.

[giddyup]

The Global Shipping Program has now migrated from the US to the UK, only a question of time before it's world-wide. I refuse to buy anything from sellers who use it. I used to collect watches but now the GSP factors in exorbitant customs duty on used watches (something I never had to pay before) as well as the exorbitant shipping fees. I'd be very surprised if Ebay doesn't suffer huge losses with the introduction of the GSP.

[Kenny202]

I dunno how they assess import duties before sending but if I'm looking for an item on ebay, I'll shop around for the cheapest import duty. Quite often the same item at approximately the same price have wildly differing prepaid import duties. You guys are saying you'd rather pay your own import duties but I have had no luck whatsoever in this area. They just seem to charge whatever they like. You just never know. Thats why I like the import duties pre paid thing (in theory). In this case I bought a food mixer, big one too from the UK. Even the priority international postage seemed ridiculously cheap ($28 from the UK). I tried explaining to DHL duty had been paid through ebay. Didn't have a clue what I was talking about nor did they care. I had nothing to substantiate my claim so had to pay the duty again (around 2000THB). I contacted the seller. Totally unhelpful and said ebay takes care of everything via the GSP and contact them. Contacted Ebay and got a lot of wishy washy BS back. Actually suggested I show customs here a copy of my payment to the seller and also inferred the seller may be fraudulent and I should contact the Police! I replied and ranted and raved and apparently they are going to refund the duty. But the story doesn't end there!

Item arrived yesterday...not even a week in the post, big heavy item and only 28 bucks! The box looked pretty much worse for wear and had a big OPENED FOR INSPECTION sticker on it. Customs check I guess. Open the box. No packing. Item only loosely wrapped with bubble wrap and moving around inside the box. 10kg mixer too with plastic parts etc. The dough hook, whisk and bowl cover broken. Machine appears to be working ok. Sent the seller photos etc for replacement. Im not sure of the seller has sent it like that without any packing or customs have pulled it out and thrown it back in without the original packaging. Happened with an expensive guitar I brought in from Japan. Idiots broke the neck. Land of smiles? Sometimes more like the land of disappointment.

[Langsuan Man]

Give the seller a really negative review and state that you were charged twice for duty. If the seller has a good "rating" most will do anything to keep their 100% positive so try the negative rating trick first

I always look first at the seller ratings when I choose a vendor since I know those with high ratings want to keep them that way and will most likely give you what you ask to keep from having a negative rating appear

[Ks45672]

Give the seller a really negative review and state that you were charged twice for duty. If the seller has a good "rating" most will do anything to keep their 100% positive so try the negative rating trick first

I always look first at the seller ratings when I choose a vendor since I know those with high ratings want to keep them that way and will most likely give you what you ask to keep from having a negative rating appear

Not really the sellers fault tbh....

DHL or Thai customs are likely trying to pull a fast one

People leaving negative feedback for the seller will just end up with even less sellers willing to ship here.... A lot of them already won't for this very reason..

Is very frustrating when the item you want refuses to ship to Thailand...

[Langsuan Man]

Who took the money for prepaid shipping ? DHL or the seller ? So why would the seller not refund what you already paid him for, did he not receive additional money from you?

If he sent you the wrong item would you blame DHL? Shoppers who don't report bad sellers are more of a problem than sellers who won't ship to Thailand

[Kenny202]

Lot of rubbish being posted here without facts as usual. To be clear...on ebay the GSP or global shipping program is run by eBay. Shipping and import duties. I believe the seller ships the item to Ebays local depot and Ebay take care of it from there. On checkout there are 2 separate payments. One to the seller for the goods and one to ebay for shipping and import. Where it all falls down is as in my case. I assume ebay paid someone for duty...either DHL or Thai customs. So the item arrives here and Customs here say they know nothing of prepaid duty. So Ur out on a limb. Seller doesn't want to know about it. I have nothing to substantiate my claim apart from a screen shot from Ebay that I paid "someone" for duties. Like talking to a brick wall communicating with eBay. I'm guessing the fault lies with DHL either purposely double dipping or not educating their staff here. Or probably like most things in Thailand...no one gives a rats fat a$$

[giddyup]

Lot of rubbish being posted here without facts as usual. To be clear...on ebay the GSP or global shipping program is run by eBay. Shipping and import duties. I believe the seller ships the item to Ebays local depot and Ebay take care of it from there. On checkout there are 2 separate payments. One to the seller for the goods and one to ebay for shipping and import. Where it all falls down is as in my case. I assume ebay paid someone for duty...either DHL or Thai customs. So the item arrives here and Customs here say they know nothing of prepaid duty. So Ur out on a limb. Seller doesn't want to know about it. I have nothing to substantiate my claim apart from a screen shot from Ebay that I paid "someone" for duties. Like talking to a brick wall communicating with eBay. I'm guessing the fault lies with DHL either purposely double dipping or not educating their staff here. Or probably like most things in Thailand...no one gives a rats fat <deleted>

The duty seems to vary wildly from seller to seller for the same item. As I said, my international Ebay purchases have come to a standstill. By the time the duty and postage have been applied the item price may have doubled or even trebled.

[curtklay]

The shipping and duties are paid to PITNEY BOWES. That's who the second payee is on your receipt from Ebay. The seller is blameless; he ships the item to Pitney Bowes facility in Kentucky, and they take it from there. The seller does not receive the international shipping/duty costs you paid.

You must file a claim with Ebay. When you do, there will be 2 cases opened; one with the seller, and one with PB. Considering the damaged goods, I would pursue both cases. Explain the situation in detail, provide photos. Ebay has the records of what you paid for duty; you don't need to prove it. It will take some time, but you should receive a full refund. If not, file again with PayPal (assuming that's how you paid).

I just went through a similar hassle with an item that DHL said wouldn't clear customs (although for $300, they could find a way!) I refused, and filed a claim with Ebay. They balked, saying it was my fault. I filed with PayPal. After they collaborated, I got a full refund.

I don't know what your previous experience has been with the Global Shipping Program, but mine have been disastrous, and I would never consider using it again.

Be persistent and don't cave in. That's what they're hoping you will do.

[Kenny202]

Lot of rubbish being posted here without facts as usual. To be clear...on ebay the GSP or global shipping program is run by eBay. Shipping and import duties. I believe the seller ships the item to Ebays local depot and Ebay take care of it from there. On checkout there are 2 separate payments. One to the seller for the goods and one to ebay for shipping and import. Where it all falls down is as in my case. I assume ebay paid someone for duty...either DHL or Thai customs. So the item arrives here and Customs here say they know nothing of prepaid duty. So Ur out on a limb. Seller doesn't want to know about it. I have nothing to substantiate my claim apart from a screen shot from Ebay that I paid "someone" for duties. Like talking to a brick wall communicating with eBay. I'm guessing the fault lies with DHL either purposely double dipping or not educating their staff here. Or probably like most things in Thailand...no one gives a rats fat <deleted>

The duty seems to vary wildly from seller to seller for the same item. As I said, my international Ebay purchases have come to a standstill. By the time the duty and postage have been applied the item price may have doubled or even trebled.

in my case the price was treble. ..but even treble was at least half of what I'd pay here for a similar quality item. But as usual in Thailand there are so many obstacles and opportunity for disaster. Apart from all import double dip, the thing turned up with broken components. It's like they go out of their way here to screw things up and if they don't get you one way they'll get u another

[1234asdf]

Don't buy from sellers using the Global Shipping Program. As with everything eBay introduce it's poorly thought out and overpriced. It isn't your sellers fault, it's eBay's/DHL's fault (probably eBay's).

[Kenny202]

Well that story had a happy ending :-) Got the supplier to replace all the broken components and Pitney Bownes (Ebays international freight and customs agent) refunded what looks like double customs fees and the freight. Awesome :-)

[Crossy]

Well that story had a happy ending :-) Got the supplier to replace all the broken components and Pitney Bownes (Ebays international freight and customs agent) refunded what looks like double customs fees and the freight. Awesome :-)

Thanks for reporting back.

Great that you got your stuff fixed and a decent refund result, it won't change my attitude towards the GSP mind.

[Crossy]

An update on the GSP. It's now well and truly entrenched in the UK too, sellers are automatically opted-in.

But, according to this page http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/buy/shipping-globally.html Thailand is not an eligible country for items shipped from the UK. I have no intention of paying for GSP when it's not available to Thailand.

I've once again asked Ebay how to proceed, I've also asked the seller if they will ship normal international (tracked and insured).

Not expecting much from Ebay, the seller may be more helpful.

[Crossy]

Well, I had a successful GSP experience buying from the UK.

The shipping-only quote from the supplier was only slightly less that the GSP all-in price (and I would certainly have ended up with duty) so I took my life in my hands and went with GSP.

Costs (all GBP):-

Item - 278.00

Shipping - 29.50 (item is 1m x .2m x .2m and 9kg so the shipping isn't stupid)

Duty/Tax - 60.40 (about 20% of CIF, not ridiculous considering VAT is 7%)

Took 9 days from ordering to get here, only 4 of which were with DHL.

I'd left Wifey cash just in case DHL tried the double-dip but nothing was asked, they even found our place without phoning (DHL have been here before, maybe the same driver)

Unfortunately the DHL paperwork doesn't indicate the amount of duty actually paid, so no idea if a refund is due.

But at least it looks like Ebay / Pitney Bowes / DHL have now got their act together with Thai customs

Of course YMMV, but at least it's not guaranteed that DHL will try to rip everyone off.