Foo - International shipping...

I am in a bit of a crunch. I sold my bike on ebay to a guy in Poland, told him I will ship if he pays all shipping charges.
Well he asks that I insure insure one of hte packages (shipping as two packages) for 50 dollars and call it a gift. Obviously to avoid taxes. Well the value is well over 50 dollars, and its not a gift. Now, isn't it illegal to do this?

I am in a bit of a crunch. I sold my bike on ebay to a guy in Poland, told him I will ship if he pays all shipping charges.
Well he asks that I insure insure one of hte packages (shipping as two packages) for 50 dollars and call it a gift. Obviously to avoid taxes. Well the value is well over 50 dollars, and its not a gift. Now, isn't it illegal to do this?
Illegal in Poland. Not your problem if the item is siezed. It's up to you, do you ever want to go to Poland?

You can insure it up to the actual value (well you can insure it higher, but they'll only pay on the loss amount) for you to claim it as a gift is a Federal offense... falsifying a customs document. Chances of getting caught is slim, but I'd never take that chance... I value my freedom to much to risk it.

We've never done that and it's always been part of our terms and conditions.

Hundreds of people do it every day. and who's to say it isn't a gift?

Relax. No no one's going to jail. If you mark it as a gift he get's the package a lot faster and doesn't pay heavy import taxes. If you don't mark it as a gift it sits in a customs warehouse until some one gets around to processing it. He will also be hit with import duties (usually between 20% and 40%) and VAT (18% or so) on top of that. So in effect you are saving him from paying 1 1/2 times the cost you sold it for.

What's in it for you? You've fulfilled your end of the bargain once it's shipped as originally discussed. Why should you be dragged into his tax evasion scheme? What's your risk? However small it may be, how are you being compensated for additional risk above and beyond what was prenegotiated?

The fact that it makes you wonder should answer the question for you. Don't do it.

Hundreds of people do it every day. and who's to say it isn't a gift?
My concious. I have to be right with myself when I lay down at night. Part of my 'right' is being honest in the things I do. To mark a purchace as 'gift' is lying. Sorry, I lie for no no one.

Just to throw my 2cents in here as a former UK postman.
In the UK the chance of a gift being inspected for a small packet where approx 10-1
Sending a package like a bike expect it to be opened.
Now the bad news in certain countries people would ask for items to be underinsured, the item would then disappear and then you are liable and the person paying for the item would demand full money back.
As the item was underinsured the carrier usually quite happily pays you the $50

Also have you checked into the price of shipping to Poland as it should cost around $100 for a 25pound airmail parcel post.

My concious. I have to be right with myself when I lay down at night. Part of my 'right' is being honest in the things I do. To mark a purchace as 'gift' is lying. Sorry, I lie for no no one.

You got to be kidding me.

Whatever you decide, you should ask the buyer if he's willing to agree to it or not. This will avoid a lot of hassles down the road. If he doesn't agree then offer it to the second highest bidder, ore relist.

You got to be kidding me.

Whatever you decide, you should ask the buyer if he's willing to agree to it or not. This will avoid a lot of hassles down the road. If he doesn't agree then offer it to the second highest bidder, ore relist.
Why? Have you no ethical standards? Honesty is high on mind. Liars are nothing but thieves, they steal the truth.

My concious. I have to be right with myself when I lay down at night. Part of my 'right' is being honest in the things I do. To mark a purchace as 'gift' is lying. Sorry, I lie for no no one.

+1! This has been my policy for years!

Aaron:)

So what ever happened, did you ship the bike?