Depends on the agreement between the seller and buyer. Usually customs tax is on the buyer, but sometimes the seller agrees to pick it up (and of course it gets reflected in the selling price, so ultimately buyer pays it anyway). I do not understand the 'risk of losing' statement, though.
Also, it would help if you indicate the country the item would be shipped from.
(BTW, a 'hello', 'please' and 'think you' are always nice from a first-time poster who is asking for information 馃槈 )