Sales in the USA and new tariffs
Summary: A participant initiated a discussion about selling in the USA and the impact of new tariffs on business. guangxi_hone and timgraysonps engaged in a conversation, likely discussing the implications and strategies related to this topic, though specific details are not provided.
Hello
Does anyone know whether eBay, after selling an item in the USA, will somehow charge the buyer that 15 percent customs duty. I'm asking because the USA has come up with this idea that now, if you send something to the USA, you immediately pay the customs fee upfront at the post office or with the courier.
From what I've read, eBay doesn't take this into account, so after the sale I would have to contact the buyer privately (which eBay doesn't allow) so they could additionally transfer me the 15 percent customs duty that I have to pay for them.
Do you know anything about this or have any ideas?
guangxi_hone
·9 months agoNo ideas. Purchases in progress, the paid ones that haven’t been shipped yet are waiting, and it looks like they’ll have to be canceled because no one in their right mind will pay $70 to ship a $20 item. I see that many sellers in Poland state, add these high shipping costs to listings, and they stop being competitive. I suspect the situation in other countries affected by tariffs is similar.
Cancel the transactions and relist with the new shipping fee. You can notify the buyer what happened; maybe they’ll buy it.
The way out of the situation was invented… of course, by the Chinese. Namely, they stock goods in the country of the market, and from that warehouse the shipment goes out for a nominal fee and local postage.
It must pay off for them, maybe less, but still something, because they’re doing well.
timgraysonps
OP9 months agoIt's just me listing a few auctions, and I never know what the final price will be.
Let's assume that Poczta Polska finally restores shipping to the USA and the cost I used to set to be paid for shipping to the USA was $12, because these were small items. But what then do you do when, after the auction ends, the buyer pays for the item and shipping, and at the post office I'll have to pay 15 percent customs duty upfront? From what I’ve read, eBay doesn’t take that into account in the fees for the buyer.
In general, wasn’t it the case that you declared the value of the shipment and then in the USA, if customs randomly selected it for duty assessment, the buyer paid?
guangxi_hone
·9 months agonew tariffs abolish the “de minimis” rule, hence this mess.
What’s the cheapest way to send a package to the USA?
Choose economical postal services: Poczta Polska offers cheaper international shipping options, although delivery time may be longer.
Use courier companies offering promotions: Sometimes companies like DHL, FedEx, or UPS have promotions or discounts on shipments to the USA.
Avoid express shipments and additional services: Express services and insurance increase shipping costs.
Pack the parcel lightly and compactly: The weight and size of the parcel have a big impact on the price.
How to avoid additional customs fees?
Declare the value of the shipment accurately: Do not understate the value, but do not overstate it either — customs authorities may check this.
Send items of low value: Shipments valued below a certain threshold (e.g. 150 euro) may be exempt from customs duty or VAT.
Check the list of items exempt from fees: Some products may be exempt from customs duty or taxes.
Use services with automatic customs clearance: Poczta Polska and some courier companies offer such services, which can reduce the risk of additional fees and delays.
Avoid shipping items subject to restrictions or bans: They may generate additional costs or result in the shipment being held.
guangxi_hone
·9 months agoPoczta Polska has started collecting customs fees upfront because the new U.S. customs regulations abolish the “de minimis” rule and require duties to be paid in advance for shipments to be accepted and cleared.
The Trump administration introduced new customs tariffs that also covered shipments valued below USD 800 — previously exempt from fees under the “de minimis” rule
Since August 2025, the United States has required customs fees on all shipments, regardless of their value. The amount of the fees depends on the country of origin — for example, for the EU it may be about USD 80, and for China even USD 200
In response to the new regulations, Poczta Polska temporarily suspended shipments to the USA and changed how it handles international shipments
To avoid delays and returns, customs fees are now collected upfront — before the shipment is even sent. This makes earlier customs declaration and smooth clearance possible
Since 2021, Poczta Polska has also implemented EU regulations that impose an obligation on postal operators to collect VAT and customs duties on shipments from outside the EU
Previously, the recipient could clear the shipment through customs on their own, but now this process has been automated and taken over by Poczta Polska.
For shipments valued up to 150 euros, Poczta offers a simplified clearance service, without the need to contact the customs office