Be aware of CA shipping through eBay

[DynaEtch]

I’m bringing this up in here because it concerns a marvel card I bought on ebay in August.

The card in question was a $725 green PMG, from Canada. At the time of purchasing I’m almost certain it said there would be no extra fees added after checkout. I understand the tariff changes that went into effect in late august, which was after I purchased it.

It was sent through eBay AG in Canada, and they shipped it FedEx on to me. I received the card a couple weeks ago. Just now I got a bill for $264 usd from FedEx, that I was not expecting. $264 for a $725 card!

I would probably just stay away from all international shipping on eBay at this point.

[DynaEtch]

Also they are saying the country of manufacture is CA, on the bill. This is referring to a 92MM Platinum card made by Upper Deck. I’m not sure if this matters or not….it does say printed in the USA on the back of the card. Would I have a case this is wrong to be charged this then?

[Zeldafanatic15]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

Also they are saying the country of manufacture is CA, on the bill. This is referring to a 92MM Platinum card made by Upper Deck. I’m not sure if this matters or not….it does say printed in the USA on the back of the card. Would I have a case this is wrong to be charged this then?

I'd actually try to fight this with FedEx, it seems like they are trying to impose the 35% tariff, but trading cards fall under CUSMA and should be exempt from tariffs. As far as them declaring Canada as country of manufacture, that shouldn't matter in this case as US and Canada both fall under CUSMA.

This bit is from Perna Studieos in regards tp one of their upcoming sets.

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[newhobbygeek]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

I’m bringing this up in here because it concerns a marvel card I bought on ebay in August.

The card in question was a $725 green PMG, from Canada. At the time of purchasing I’m almost certain it said there would be no extra fees added after checkout. I understand the tariff changes that went into effect in late august, which was after I purchased it.

It was sent through eBay AG in Canada, and they shipped it FedEx on to me. I received the card a couple weeks ago. Just now I got a bill for $264 usd from FedEx, that I was not expecting. $264 for a $725 card!

I would probably just stay away from all international shipping on eBay at this point.

For anyone reading that might not be aware, google 'de minimis exemption' change on tariffs. Sorry to hear about surprise bill.

I recently bought marvel card from Japan seller and was shocked didn't get extra bill from USPS. I was expecting one.

I'm especially cautious now when bidding on items from other countries. I always have to pause myself to go... wait this might cost 10, 20, 50%+ more later. Kind of like Goldin/Fanatics Collect/other auction houses... they always have all their extra fees and your bid is never close to 'final bill'.

I think of all the Marvel wax that was shipped and opened during pandemic/post-pandemic to other countries. Those singles are going to be much pricier now.

[DynaEtch]

Thank you for that information. It sounds like maybe under that agreement that indeed this may be an unjustified charge. The other thing about the de minimus thing that went into effect late August…this was purchased 8/16 which was quite a bit before that, not sure if that matters.

What gets me is I didn’t even get option at any point of “your package is on hold, do you want to pay this fee to release it etc”. Instead I get a $264 bill after the fact, out of the blue. This has to be driving people on eBay nuts right now. I can’t imagine all the calls eBay must get.

I did already call both eBay and FedEx. eBay is basically: “this is not much to do with us”. They did say they *might* be able to give a small site credit reimbursement to help offset it, but not more than $50-100. FedEx wasn’t able to help much since their billing dept is closed and said to call Monday.

What’s wild is this: the card is eBay AG. If the card went from seller in CA to eBay AG in the US, then I’d owe nothing (eBay would be the importer). But since it went to eBay AG in Canada…I’m hit with everything. And it probably could have gone either way…gee thanks eBay. Before you buy AG items internationally- call eBay and make sure which eBay AG it’s going to! Also I wonder if eBay AG sent it through the post to the US vs FedEx, if maybe I wouldnt get hit with this enormous bill.

[DynaEtch]

Well I just talked to a Canadian seller who has an app that specifically tells you what custom duties to the US will be if you enter the product information into the app- it says for this marvel trading card it would be $0. So I’m pretty sure that I’m being charged this bill wrongly then.

[Zeldafanatic15]

I can't see Fedex having much leg to stand on, not only because of CUSMA, but they delivered it, THEN sent you a bill. I had my first package fall under the tariff rule, but it was UPS, and they wouldn't deliver it until I paid. The UPS person came to my door, explained what was going on, and I went online to pay. He came back the next day and delivered. Didn't deliver until after I paid. Good luck!

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[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by Zeldafanatic15

I can't see Fedex having much leg to stand on, not only because of CUSMA, but they delivered it, THEN sent you a bill. I had my first package fall under the tariff rule, but it was UPS, and they wouldn't deliver it until I paid. The UPS person came to my door, explained what was going on, and I went online to pay. He came back the next day and delivered. Didn't deliver until after I paid. Good luck!

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Yep had that same thing with UPS…had to write a check to them right at the door (was a package from china…and to all heck it wasn’t $264, more like $45).

But yea I was surprised that it came as a bill after the fact…maybe that’s just how FedEx operates.

[hulk1066]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

Yep had that same thing with UPS…had to write a check to them right at the door (was a package from china…and to all heck it wasn’t $264, more like $45).

But yea I was surprised that it came as a bill after the fact…maybe that’s just how FedEx operates.

The same thing happened to me about two weeks ago with a magazine I ordered from a Canadian seller. The magazine cost nearly $300 and I had to write a check to UPS and give it to the driver for $27 more dollars upon delivery.

[finfangfan]

Originally Posted by hulk1066

The same thing happened to me about two weeks ago with a magazine I ordered from a Canadian seller. The magazine cost nearly $300 and I had to write a check to UPS and give it to the driver for $27 more dollars upon delivery.

But you have to admit it was worth it!

[Fenian95]

Dyna- FedEx charges a "brokering and handling" fee for dealing with Customs on your behalf.

Really has nothing to do with tarriffs, duties, or anything else. Just FedEx being crooks.

I got hit hard a package of sealed Japanese Pokemon cards a few years ago. $175 worth of cards, $70 fee.

[PurplesaurusRex]

Yikes. Sorry you're having to deal with this Dyna. Just a big mess for everyone. Tariffs always hurt consumers, it's unfortunate so many Americans didn't understand that.

[fabiani12333]

Thanks for the heads-up, Dyna -- I've been avoiding Canadian listings on eBay since the tariffs were announced, but now I'm definitely going to be avoiding them -- I don't want any surprise bills from FedEx or UPS.

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by Fenian95

Dyna- FedEx charges a "brokering and handling" fee for dealing with Customs on your behalf.

Really has nothing to do with tarriffs, duties, or anything else. Just FedEx being crooks.

I got hit hard a package of sealed Japanese Pokemon cards a few years ago. $175 worth of cards, $70 fee.

I think it’s the actual tariff. They included a photocopy of the customs sheet with the bill, and it says right on there it’s a 35% duty charged on item price.

I’m confused how it’s gonna play out. If it was a wrongly charged tariff, and it sounds like it may have been, FedEx presumably already paid it, putting me in a pickle. It also could be a problem if eBay AG itself in Canada put wrong info onto the customs form (sounds like they did- says the item was manufactured in Canada which is false). So as brought up in another thread, my beef could actually be with eBay here.

Can you imagine the insanity at eBay right now…if tons of people are being hit with these kinds of large unexpected bills. It’s strange how FedEx operates and sends it weeks after delivery. Going out on a limb here and wonder how many people don’t even pay it.

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by Zeldafanatic15

I'd actually try to fight this with FedEx, it seems like they are trying to impose the 35% tariff, but trading cards fall under CUSMA and should be exempt from tariffs. As far as them declaring Canada as country of manufacture, that shouldn't matter in this case as US and Canada both fall under CUSMA.

This bit is from Perna Studieos in regards tp one of their upcoming sets.

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Have a few questions about this. It is a ridiculously complicated topic, (also pretty silly I have to do this much diving into geo-economic politics for a mere trading card I bought on eBay in August…but here we are!).

I started with these.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit...nada_Agreement

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025...ada_and_Mexico

Are we sure a lot of these 2025 trade wars didn’t exempt a lot from the USMCA tariff restrictions? For example this line describing the situation back in February/March

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

Trump used the IEEPA—a 1977 U.S. law giving the president broad financial power during declared national emergencies—to circumvent the USMCA's tariff restriction

So what I’m getting at is do we know what the status of the USMCA is currently with much of the trade going on? They are imposing these tariffs left and right now, so it’s be surprising if it’d all in violation of that agreement.

I still think even if it’s not in exempted from that agreement, the fact it’s a US manufactured good should exempt it, but I’m admittedly a total novice in how all this works. Just trying to understand the situation better before I call eBay and FedEx tomorrow to try and fight this.

[PurplesaurusRex]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Thanks for the heads-up, Dyna -- I've been avoiding Canadian listings on eBay since the tariffs were announced, but now I'm definitely going to be avoiding them -- I don't want any surprise bills from FedEx or UPS.

Same here. USA purchases only for now. Which is a real shame, it effects buyers and sellers all over the world. So much winning!

[DynaEtch]

Bill from FedEx



Back of the card


Should be a slam dunk you’d think, they have the country of manufacture wrong (if that matters). But if the duties were already paid by FedEx weeks ago, it’s a mess. I think I blame eBay AG mostly if anything, for not correctly doing things for customs. Ebay was the sender. Although the eBay rep I talked to on Sat pretended like none of this was related to eBay.

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by PurplesaurusRex

Same here. USA purchases only for now. Which is a real shame, it effects buyers and sellers all over the world. So much winning!

Yep, same here especially after this. I can’t buy anything internationally on eBay now.

And it’s a shame because there are lots of people doing marvel cards (what I mainly collect) in Canada and China which ill be missing out on…it is what it is I guess.

[duwal]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

Can you imagine the insanity at eBay right now…if tons of people are being hit with these kinds of large unexpected bills. It’s strange how FedEx operates and sends it weeks after delivery. Going out on a limb here and wonder how many people don’t even pay it.

it sounds like its more likely a one off and unfortunately you were the one

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by duwal

it sounds like its more likely a one off and unfortunately you were the one

Are we sure this was just a 1-off thing though? All the eBay listings now have a big banner on the top about extra duties can be charged with any international listings.

I suppose I can accept the stars aligned for this one example- going through eBay AG in Canada before going to US, they happening to send FedEx- and some mistake happened on customs form or in imposing the duties- resulting in this bill. But I’m not sure I wanna take that chance again so readily, considering the money amounts involved. I’m seeing some posts on Reddit also of people being hit with bills from FedEx for duties 1-2 weeks after delivery.

[maneonemo]

I had problems with being unjustly charged customs due to incorrectly filled customs form by the seller before (unrelated to tariffs). Imo the way to go is to talk to the ebay support, and they give you a link to upload all the documentation breaking down the custom charges, proof of payment, and your comments for them to review.

Also worth checking if the parcel had the correct harmonized system tariff number on the customs declaration.

COMC has a Canadian address mailbox service, which might be helpful. I wonder how it works once their intake is finished. Like can I send cards that were processed both in Canada and the US to myself in a single parcel?

[Grid]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

Bill from FedEx



Back of the card


Should be a slam dunk you’d think, they have the country of manufacture wrong (if that matters). But if the duties were already paid by FedEx weeks ago, it’s a mess. I think I blame eBay AG mostly if anything, for not correctly doing things for customs. Ebay was the sender. Although the eBay rep I talked to on Sat pretended like none of this was related to eBay.

This means nothing. You now pay import tariffs on a U.S.-made item bought from Canada and shipped to the U.S. due to ad valorem.

While the item is U.S.-made, its shipment from Canada to the U.S. triggers import duties. The tariff rate depends on the item's classification under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).

You can throw out the USMCA on stuff like this. As it is a country of origin issue and not place of original manufacturing one. I work in Electrical Distribution, and often have to source US made things like breakers or fuses from Canada or Mexico. Due to shortages state side. It is all a mess right now.

[ThatGuyPal]

The brokering just means they already paid the customs or you wouldn’t have got the item at all. Good luck getting FedEx to go back and get the customs returned over just not delivering to you again until you pay lol

Honestly this was in the news a lot yall hotta stop being naive that it won’t affect your hobby “everyone but me!” Lol also manufacturing thing won’t help as a loophole, do you think I could just ship a car made in the US over for example with zero tariffs? Lesson learned for everyone who thinks these type of things “won’t affect me” or ignore it. Expensive lesson but still a lesson

[VinnyH]

Just be careful of all shipping in either direction nowadays. I had an 800 count box of common non-sport cards sell for $33 with $10 shipping cancelled recently. I got a polite message asking to cancel since the buyer was in Germany and the fees just crushed him although he had bought from the U.S. before with reasonable shipping. I understood and will repost that item. I'm thinking I may print a warning in my eBay template to foreign buyers to be mindful of new shipping issues.
I have a current buyer from Austria that I'm thinking may be backing out after he sees the higher fees.
Oh Well,
Vinny

[JWBlue]

What about shipping from Japan? Is there a tarriff?