Sending to the USA is about to become a poop show

[deadgoodundies]

Luckily we use GSP for all orders going overseas for our ebay sales but obviously not for our direct site sales.
Just got the notification from Royal Mail that as of Aug 29th you wont be able to send into the USA using DAP (delivered at place where the postal companies collect the import duty/tax from the buyer prior to delivery).
If you do then it will be rejected.

We all knew about the de minimis being withdrawn but this extra bit is a shock to the system.

[4_bathrooms]

You'll find it in Section 3 (Duty Rates for International Postal Shipments) of the Executive Order; i.e. goods sent via the international postal system will have to be sent DDP. 

As everything sent will attract a minimum tariff of $80 per item plus 10% of the value of the goods I don't think you'll have many buyers from across the pond (which is the whole point anyway).

[deadgoodundies]

*bleep*!!!!! - that's madness . so the £10 pair of boxer briefs we sell that are made in Turkey will have a 15% tariff rate PLUS a $80 charge.
Nurse!!!!! I think Donald has soiled himself again.

[4_bathrooms]

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@deadgoodundies wrote:

*bleep*!!!!! - that's madness . so the £10 pair of boxer briefs we sell that are made in Turkey will have a 15% tariff rate PLUS a $80 charge.

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And if they order 2 pairs it is 15% plus $160 as the fixed charge is per item, not per consignment.

[watchfan700uk]

We do not yet know if the flat fee will be levied. I am waiting to see what my shipping provider does on Aug 29th but until then I am blocking USA buyers.

[deadgoodundies]

Why not just move to GSP? instead of blocking buyers?
We are blocking buyers as of today on our own site so as to not put any "in transit" orders at risk but on Ebay keeping on GSP.

[darth_baggins]

Bear in mind, if you're blocking US sales you need to do it well in advance because if they arrive after the 29th, they will be hit with the charges, IE it's based on when it gets there, not when it's sent.

[deadgoodundies]

Just finished the popup on our site now and turned off shipping to the US - with GeoIP so only US customers will see it.
Newsletter going out today

[deadgoodundies]

Oh someone just sent me this link which is a good read
https://www.avalara.com/blog/en/north-america/2024/11/de-minimis-exemption-changes-coming.html

[jlovie]

Looks like they'll be opening packages for inspection.

I've had a few GSP to USA get through the process OK, but I recently sent some Culture Club CDs - wouldn't be surprised if the US now considers them prohibited material.

[magpiecorner1]

Forgive my ignorance, I don't use GSP at the moment but sell lots of low value items to USA,  can you explain the benefits of changing to GSP?

Especially bearing in mind the info about the seller bearing all the costs. 

[deadgoodundies]

With GSP you send to the Ebay UK Hub and as long as it gets there then Ebay are responsible for the shipping to the customer and any delivery issues.
Plus the overseas buyer pays for any import or tax at the point of sale (on ebay).

So basically for you it's like you are selling to someone in the UK without all the hassles of selling overseas.

Cons do include that it makes it more expensive for the buyer (as shipping is charged at whatever Ebay/Pitney Bowes set and you don't have any control over that)

For ebay sales - I wouldn't sell abroad without it

[vintage-emporium-jedburgh]

Be aware that returns are a nightmare 

with GSP your hung out to dry totally on your own  if a buyer states not as described

[vintage-emporium-jedburgh]

In fact we no longer ship abroad via ebay 

due to buyers gaming the return process

[padanpcparts]

A truly isolationist USA...what could possibly go wrong. I'm usually one for working round these issues such as registering for Germanys crazy recycling stuff, but it looks like there will be no option but to stop sending to the US altogether. Anyone have any ideas? 

[mrsrobinson92713]

In our business account (not this one I am writing from) we currently we only send letter post, as our items are postcards and fit into a small board backed envelope. Prices each are between £3.99 and £30 plus.... will the US be charging buyers to buy them?  How can sending via letter post be detected as business items?  We are not enrolled in GSP.  Just send items out first class post and 99% arrive ok. Not sure whether to continue posting to US as we currently do, or whether it is asking for trouble and even letter post will be scrutinised?  I am not sure either how the tariff charges are paid, if it is the buyer who has to pay them? What would the implications of continuing to send by letter post be, not enrolled in GSP?

[4_bathrooms]

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@mrsrobinson92713 wrote:

In our business account (not this one I am writing from) we currently we only send letter post, as our items are postcards and fit into a small board backed envelope. Prices each are between £3.99 and £30 plus.... will the US be charging buyers to buy them? 

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Yes.

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@mrsrobinson92713 wrote:

How can sending via letter post be detected as business items?  We are not enrolled in GSP.  Just send items out first class post and 99% arrive ok. 

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Are you completing a CN22 customs declaration when you send them (you should be)?

[mrsrobinson92713]

No, the post office says I don't need one, they are happy to just stick the stamp on the envelope (or print out the postage label) and in the bag it goes. Presumably though if I sell on Ebay, the American buyer would have to pay 80 dollars to buy something costing a fiver, is that right? No idea what happens if I sell from a website.

[4_bathrooms]

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@mrsrobinson92713 wrote:

No, the post office says I don't need one, they are happy to just stick the stamp on the envelope (or print out the postage label) and in the bag it goes. 

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Your Post Office is wrong. All gifts and goods sent overseas require a CN22 or CN23; the only mail items that don't require a customs declaration are personal correspondence and documents such as invoices or shipping notes. A postcard initially sent on its own (i.e. not inside an envelope) does not require a CN22 because it is personal correspondence. A postcard you have sold is goods and therefore does require a CN22; I think this is where the confusion has arisen at your Post Office.

[mrsrobinson92713]

Thanks for the guidance. Sending items like a postcard inside an envelope looks just like personal mail items, perhaps the postmaster is assuming nobody will check, which they haven't up to now. I guess if a buyer has to pay a tariff for a UK item, they will not bother... but buying from a website perhaps there is nobody to regulate it and it can just go as normal letter post, no ID on it to indicate it is a business item.