Because this question keeps coming up, I wanted to address it.
No, I can't and won't falsify a U.S. Customs form to mark merchandise as a "gift" to customers outside the United States, or to show a lower amount paid. Permit me to explain why.
1. Integrity matters
If you are here on the Poker Chip Forum, you've stepped into the world of high-end collectible casino gaming products. We deal with one another, and with sponsors and casino industry producers, based on trust and our reputations here on PCF. I've bought, sold and ordered items worth thousands of dollars based on my word and the word of a member here, and have never been "burned." Integrity matters.
2. It's illegal
Making a false statement on a customs form is a felony in the United States. The penalty is a gigantic fine and potential prison time. Changing the amount paid is also a violation of state law, called "falsifying a business record," in my state.
3. It's stupid
Ask anyone you know if they'd like to risk a big fine and jail time in order to save you maybe $3 by conspiring with you to commit a crime and scam the government.
4. I won't sell to you
If you are willing to lie on a government form to save a couple of bucks, you'll probably lie to me after you get the stuff in order to save a couple more bucks.
A few years ago, a customer outside the United States ordered some chip racks and asked me to change the amount he paid on the customs form and mark the items as a "gift," rather than something that was sold to him. In total, this would have saved him around $3.50 in taxes. I declined, but he wanted to buy the racks anyway. I decided to send them. (I won't name his nationality in order to avoid offending his fellow countrymen. He's not a member here.)
The day they arrived at his address, he claimed that he was "one rack short," and demanded a refund for the one rack -- coincidentally just about the same as the amount he would have "saved" had I falsified the form.
He was clever. He was also a liar. I packed the box myself, and took the racks from a full box, so I know how many racks I put in the package.
He got a refund for the price of one rack, and a note informing him that I would never sell him anything again.
Despite being a one-person business, I have a file called "Casino Security," in my computer. It has a list of people to whom I won't sell, and notes about why.
Addressing the "But we'll never get caught" argument
Maybe you won't get caught. I'm pretty sure I would get caught if I violated state and federal law. I'd rather just sleep well at night and know that I am dealing honestly in my business.
No, I can't and won't falsify a U.S. Customs form to mark merchandise as a "gift" to customers outside the United States, or to show a lower amount paid. Permit me to explain why.
1. Integrity matters
If you are here on the Poker Chip Forum, you've stepped into the world of high-end collectible casino gaming products. We deal with one another, and with sponsors and casino industry producers, based on trust and our reputations here on PCF. I've bought, sold and ordered items worth thousands of dollars based on my word and the word of a member here, and have never been "burned." Integrity matters.
2. It's illegal
Making a false statement on a customs form is a felony in the United States. The penalty is a gigantic fine and potential prison time. Changing the amount paid is also a violation of state law, called "falsifying a business record," in my state.
3. It's stupid
Ask anyone you know if they'd like to risk a big fine and jail time in order to save you maybe $3 by conspiring with you to commit a crime and scam the government.
4. I won't sell to you
If you are willing to lie on a government form to save a couple of bucks, you'll probably lie to me after you get the stuff in order to save a couple more bucks.
A few years ago, a customer outside the United States ordered some chip racks and asked me to change the amount he paid on the customs form and mark the items as a "gift," rather than something that was sold to him. In total, this would have saved him around $3.50 in taxes. I declined, but he wanted to buy the racks anyway. I decided to send them. (I won't name his nationality in order to avoid offending his fellow countrymen. He's not a member here.)
The day they arrived at his address, he claimed that he was "one rack short," and demanded a refund for the one rack -- coincidentally just about the same as the amount he would have "saved" had I falsified the form.
He was clever. He was also a liar. I packed the box myself, and took the racks from a full box, so I know how many racks I put in the package.
He got a refund for the price of one rack, and a note informing him that I would never sell him anything again.
Despite being a one-person business, I have a file called "Casino Security," in my computer. It has a list of people to whom I won't sell, and notes about why.
Addressing the "But we'll never get caught" argument
Maybe you won't get caught. I'm pretty sure I would get caught if I violated state and federal law. I'd rather just sleep well at night and know that I am dealing honestly in my business.