Posting a Phone Overseas - Any Advice Much Appreciated!

Uncle Roger on 02/11/2021 - 09:35
Last edited 15/12/2021 - 19:15 by 1 other user

Hallo niece and nephew!

I sold a phone on eBay to someone who's overseas - it's all been paid for etc (so not a scam)…

Looking to post via Australia Post with insurance, signature on delivery etc.

What do I need to know as far as postage goes? The phone is worth about $1100… I don't want any issues at customs with tax etc - if I price the item at over $1000 on the label, do I have to then pay tax? Or does it become the buyers responsibility?

Is there a difference if I list the item as a Gift on the label?

Any advice much appreciated!

Thanks

EDIT:

Is anyone able to answer the actual questions being asked please? 🤣

Lol it's not going to Russia (read that thread last night) or any third world country!

Thanks guys for all the replies. While it seems to be all too common that people get scammed, in this case it is justified why they decided to purchase the phone from me - it's the new Pixel 6 which is unavailable in many countries. I have dealt with a number of different types of scams in the past, but this transaction is just not really setting off any red flags for me

I didn't take Paypal as payment - went straight to my eBay funds, which should be clearing today.

At this point, I am still going to be sending the item off to the buyer. I plan to video/photograph the item before sending it off, and will be adding insurance, signature, and am sending it via Express post as well. I do think all these tactics would make this transaction more secure for me, and I don't see why things wouldn't go smoothly. Surely there are still some good people in the world!

Will post an update once the item is delivered :)

(Worst comes to worst, as the other threads point out, I could always just empty my account of all funds, and if eBay sends anyone after me, I should have enough evidence that nothing was wrong on my end).

Mobile

Comments

  • elgrande on 02/11/2021 - 09:43
    +10

    Hi Uncle

    I would not send a phone that was paid for via eBay overseas. It can still be a scam.

  • GooseLord on 02/11/2021 - 09:45
    +4

    But why would anyone legitimately buy a phone from Australia to import into their country, everything is more expensive here. You are asking for something to go wrong. It happens all the time

    • User210686 on 02/11/2021 - 12:12

      In some countries import duty on mobile phones are 0%, and prices can be cheaper due to weak Aussie $. Having said that, given the increase in # of scams in recent years, I'd be reluctant to sell high valued items, especially mobile phones on eBay, even to domestic buyers.

  • SF3 on 02/11/2021 - 09:46
    +11

    it's all been paid for etc (so not a scam)…

    Famous last words.

    Next post: Buyer saying item is not working and lodged claim with ebay, what should I do?

  • Hybroid on 02/11/2021 - 09:48
    +7

    Don't do it. This is ripe for a chargeback scam once the item is shipped. Cancel the sale and refund them.

  • iDroid on 02/11/2021 - 09:49
    +4

    No. No. No.

    Just throw the phone in the bin now it'll cost you less.

  • Muzeeb on 02/11/2021 - 09:52
    +3

    I sold a phone on eBay to someone who's overseas - it's all been paid for etc (so not a scam)…

    Ummm. Whatever. Ok. Look forward to next post…

    Sent $1100 phone to Russia. Brick was sent back to me. eBay siding with buyer. I'm out $1100 and the brick doesn't match my house.

    For the love of God, cancel the sale, refund the buyer and enjoy your day off.

  • randomusername2017 on 02/11/2021 - 09:56
    +3

    Insert a sim with international roaming so you can save on tracked shipping…

    …or see which country it actually ends up in…

    • thatonethere on 02/11/2021 - 10:38
      +1

      or chuck a registered air tag in there

  • thatonethere on 02/11/2021 - 11:09

    I presume you have paid by PayPal - so they have a fair chance of charging back.

    You need to question why someone in another country would buy your phone in Australia…

    • koplik8 on 02/11/2021 - 11:59
      +1

      As a eBay seller, I transfer the money out of PayPal into my bank account. Once the money has cleared I send the item

      • Muzeeb on 02/11/2021 - 12:11
        +1

        I'm thinking it's been a while since you sold on ebay

  • El cheepo on 02/11/2021 - 11:14

    Is this a troll or ignorance?

    • SF3 on 02/11/2021 - 11:17
      +1

      May not be mutually exclusive.

    • Muzeeb on 02/11/2021 - 11:35

      Ignorance is bliss so I'm going with ignorance.

  • raptormesh on 02/11/2021 - 11:52
    +1

    why would you gift a stranger your $1100 phone?

  • GoldenDragon888 on 02/11/2021 - 12:02

    I thought Uncle Roger was smarter than this? Aiyah, siao ting tong.

  • Uncle Roger on 02/11/2021 - 12:04

    (Disclaimer: please have a good read, before down voting uncle)

    Is anyone able to answer the actual questions being asked please? 🤣

    Lol it's not going to Russia (read that thread last night) or any third world country!

    Thanks guys for all the replies. While it seems to be all too common that people get scammed, in this case it is justified why they decided to purchase the phone from me - it's the new Pixel 6 which is unavailable in many countries. I have dealt with a number of different types of scams in the past, but this transaction is just not really setting off any red flags for me

    I didn't take Paypal as payment - went straight to my eBay funds, which should be clearing to my bank account today.

    At this point, I am still going to be sending the item off to the buyer. I plan to video/photograph the item before sending it off, and will be adding insurance, signature, and am sending it via Express post as well. I do think all these tactics would make this transaction more secure for me, and I don't see why things wouldn't go smoothly. Surely there are still some good people in the world!

    Will post an update once the item is delivered :)

    (Worst comes to worst, as the other threads point out, I could always just empty my account of all funds, and if eBay sends anyone after me, I should have enough evidence that nothing was wrong on my end).

    • Muzeeb on 02/11/2021 - 12:12
      +1

      Look forward to your updates.

      Please upload the tracking number here so we can all follow your journey to hell. Cheers.

    • FireRunner on 02/11/2021 - 14:10

      I've had a number of scammers based in the United States contact me through eBay - it's not always third world countries

    • Quantumcat on 02/11/2021 - 15:11
      +1

      I do think all these tactics would make this transaction more secure for me, and I don't see why things wouldn't go smoothly

      The buyer will put in some kind of claim, and ebay will totally ignore your video and photos and refund the buyer. You'll likely lose the money because now ebay makes everyone upload drivers licenses so they know exactly who they are and you will be less able to dodge debt collectors like you used to be able to. It is a really dumb idea to send the phone, it can still definitely go wrong. And any transaction involving a smart phone has a higher likelihood of going wrong compared to others.

  • User210686 on 02/11/2021 - 12:18
    +1

    Answers to your questions vary from country to country, but import duty and sales tax are usually borne by the buyer. If you use couriers, you can choose to pay for those taxes but with postal service, I believe it's the buyer's responsibility. Import duty on mobile phones can be 0% in some countries including Australia and a sales tax threshold varies.

    • Uncle Roger on 02/11/2021 - 12:18

      Thanks for answering my question nephew!

  • randomusername2017 on 02/11/2021 - 12:54

    Surely there are still some good people in the world!

    Eb̶a̶y̶harmony

  • deme on 02/11/2021 - 13:15

    Russia (read that thread last night) or any third world country!

    Russia is the second world.

    Scammers exist everywhere. USA came up with the concept of 1st/2nd/3rd world.

  • c64 on 02/11/2021 - 14:15

    I sold a phone on eBay to someone who's overseas - it's all been paid for etc (so not a scam)…

    ha ha ha! i'm eagerly looking forward to the follow up thread about an ebay dispute …

  • SBOB on 02/11/2021 - 14:23
    +7

    it's all been paid for etc (so not a scam)…

    narrators voice "It was a scam…."

  • Mechz on 02/11/2021 - 16:52
    +1

    Send a fake phone so you can at least sell the real one when they claim it's not received.

  • MontyMacaw on 03/11/2021 - 08:09
    +1

    Lithium batteries can be an issue with posting phones fwiw

  • kenny38rj39302 on 03/11/2021 - 08:10

    This is 101% a scam.
    Claim is incoming for the phone not being received, its guaranteed.

  • rsimic71 on 03/11/2021 - 08:45

    Send an old iPhone we had to my husbands mother in Europe years ago. The customs tax they hit her with was more than the value of the phone. We told her to just leave it. Same thing with sending a replacement battery fpr a Samsung they wanted customs charges in same country that were exorbitant. Even though it was marked as a gift "like everything else is" but these were.check the country you are sending it to and if the person will be with hit with a cidtoms/ import fer

  • jrvb42 on 03/11/2021 - 09:15

    Make sure it works in the destination country. Don't trust the retailer who sold you the phone, do independent research.

  • OzHunterNSW on 03/11/2021 - 09:56

    I have just recently sent a phone, and a tablet, OS. I often receive phones from OS. There are no issues. Just declare the item, and its "reduced" value, and add insurance, if you prefer.

    If the other person is to pay taxes, it is based upon the value of the goods - it is their problem, and usually only a few dollars.

    • Uncle Roger on 03/11/2021 - 10:03

      Thank you for this! Glad to hear that you have had no issues.

      One question: if you reduce the value, how do you get insurance to cover more?

      Australia Post won't let you insure for more than you declare the item for…

      Thanks

      • MontyMacaw on 03/11/2021 - 11:36

        Sorry but this cracks me up.

  • fishka2 on 03/11/2021 - 18:07

    Just fyi. When I tried to send a phone overseas aupost told me I can’t because it’s got lithium battery hence belongs to dangerous goods

  • Uncle Roger on 15/12/2021 - 19:08
    +1

    Just as a follow up, phone was successfully delivered a couple weeks ago.

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