Buying or Selling Used Items

As an avid buyer and seller on ebay to a global market, I wanted to create a review regarding the transferring of items to another country.  While I certainly cannot speak for the entire world at large, I can, however, speak to the buyers and sellers of Canada and the United States.

If you are a buyer from Canada:

If you are a buyer from Canada and spot a USED item to which you show interest in and it is located outside your country, there are some simple points to consider which just may by-pass a Canada Customs' inspection as well as possible import costs. Many items on ebay are used (or "gently used" as the term may be).  These used items can be anything from clothing to camera, telephone, and computer equipment, just to name a few.  If you find an item that is used, and your seller is located outside of Canada, it would be in your best interest to have your seller state that it is "USED" on the custom's declaration prior to shipping.  For example, you find a nice (gently used) winter vest and win it.  If you seller places "USED APPAREL" on the custom's declaration, the agents at Customs Canada will see that it is USED and NOT new.  You have to remember that just about every agent is trained to assume that everything and anything coming into the country is NEW.  If the agent sees the declaration as "USED APPAREL" and a value of $95.00, you are more apt to pay NO import fees.  If the declaration is marked "WINTER VEST" and value of $95.00, the officer immediately assumes it is new, will convert the US$95.00 to Canadian, charge the PST (Provincial Sales Tax) where applicable, as well as the GST (Good & Services Tax).  In addition, there is a minimum processing fee of approximately $5.00.  All of this is providing the item is made/manufactured in the United States, as the NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) will render excise tax void in most instances.  So as a buyer, it does pay to keep your seller's informed of the precise description of what they are selling.  This same rule would apply if it were used camera, telephone, computer equipment or what have you.  Be honest with your seller and convey a simple request to include the term "USED" on the declaration, if that is what it is.  Please do not ask your foreign seller to reduce the value amount on the declaration as this can become troublesome for your seller and yourself.

Another important thing to consider when cross-border shopping is to MAKE SURE, your seller has a shipping service other than UPS (United Parcel Service).  UPS is its own brokerage firm and will levy very VERY hefty fees for importing items into Canada.  If your seller offers USPS (United States Postal Service), take it with open arms.  If you are unsure of which methods of shipping your seller has, simply click on the "ask the seller a question" in the listing, and personally ask them.

If you are a seller from the United States & ship to Canada:

As a Canadian buyer who does purchase a considerable amount of merchandise from my US counterparts, I salute you for keeping ebay a fun place.  On the norm, I've had impeccable relations with the majority of whom I trade.  If you are selling a USED item to a buyer above line, please ensure to state so on your custom's declaration.  A Canadian Customs Officer in Canada will see your declaration and 90% of the time will push it through (free of fees) if that one single word is on the form.  Whether is it used clothing, camera's, equipment or what have you, your Canadian buyer will admire your diligence and no doubt will become a valued repeat customer as a result. 

This is my pilot review and will be amending it from time to time.  I only hope that I have posted some valuable points to benefit the trading community on ebay.

Thank you,
Robb