EBAY International Buying

[alison43331]

Hi

Does anyone know if items purchased from China & listed as 'Free' postage are really free. Do I really not have to pay customs, etc? I have tried to ask the seller themselves (communication problems) and EBay Customer Service (Privacy Issues) & nobody can give me a straight answer

Please please please could someone enlighten me?

Thanks

[ojread2]

You might do, yes, but not always
You are responsible for customs charges, not your seller

[Maydup]

....and be sure the products are safe. Many people have been caught out by the chinese imports and found themselves being charged with importing and handling counterfeit goods.

Prefer to pay a bit more and buy from UK.

[Old_Geezer]

Or even duff goods that eBay and PayPal then side with the seller on.

As I understand it if the goods are not labelled as gift, as they ought not be if you bought them, then customs may open the package to see what tax is due. No one gives you a straight answer because no one knows for sure what will happen to your package.

Free postage from China ? Either they have a UK depot, or you are paying a lot over the odds for the item to cover it, or the item is so lacking in value it still pays them to flog it to you international post free and make a profit.

My advice is to go for a UK seller if you can. Nothing is guarantied above board but you have next to no chance if a purchase across the world goes wrong. 'UK seller' must be worth something on top to you.

[grasscarp]

I have bought from far east and did not pay anything extra and postage was free when advertised as such

[Toes]

I've also bought from China, and on the one occasion the goods did not arrive I contacted the seller, and they refunded my money instantly. The goods were great and very good value, though they do take a while to arrive about 28 days usually.

[alison43331]

Hi

Thanks for all the advice

If the item I am trying to buy is a child's toy, and the cost is under £5.00 with postage marked free, am I likely to be charged customs? Do you ask the seller to mark the package 'as a gift' to avoid any extra charges?

[ojread2]

I wouldn't ever buy a childs toy form China
Especially if it's something thats the 'in' thing of today, such as Moshi monsters, because they will be fakes and the kids will know they are not the real McCoy
But to answer your questions unlikely and no, although it wouldn't hurt
Want a list of 'why not to buy from China'?
Go here http://community.ebay...er-Central/1900000767