International shipping, minimizing taxes & fees?

Question

Hello,

And thank you for answering this question.

I sold a phone on eBay to a man in Russia.

It sold for $521.

Now I know the buyer pays taxes on items received.

So I was wondering how i could go about sending the item and minimizing any taxes/fees he would have to pay.

I have been told to send it as a "gift" / "family gift"... but what else?

Should i declare the value as the ACTUAL value ($521) of the item.... is that the insurance on the package?

Thanks a ton!

Answer 1

If you send it as a gift, you better take it out of the manufacturer packaging.  If customs catches you mis-declaring a good going into Russia, then you can be fined up to $50,000.  

Your best bet is to be honest about it and fill out the commercial invoice correctly.  You don't want to take on that kind of risk for something as small as a phone.