Mail Fraud And You: Know The Law
I do a lot of international business online. A LOT. Every now and then, an overseas customer comes along and asks me to forge an invoice to save him a few bucks in duty taxes. While this hasn't happened as much as it used to a few years ago, it still happens. Maybe they don't know any better, but it still makes my head spin.
While it may be true that this is not often prosecuted, it's still mail fraud. I like running a legitimate business, and not having to worry about being investigated for federal crimes. It's a bit upsetting to know that so many online merchants actually do this to please the customer. I don't mind, though, because it won't be me being slapped with a fine when the shit hits the fan.
I like this store's customs declaration policy:
http://www.artofadornment.ca/catalog/shipping/
"We CANNOT declare the value of the parcel contents on the Customs form as less than the actual item value for two reasons:
1.) It is illegal.
2.) The parcel is insured for the value declared. This means that if your parcel got lost we could only reimburse you for the amount declared on the Customs form. Example: if your item was valued at $100 and we declared it as worth $20, we could only give you a $20 refund since that is the amount Canada Post will reimburse (theoretically, if we refunded you the full $100 and only got $20 back from Canada Post, we would be paying Canada Post $80 for inconveniencing both of us). We would much rather declare the full amount so your purchase is covered!
The fact that other businesses may lie to Customs for you does not concern us (we will not "jump off a bridge" because another store did). It is not a fair and legal business practice."