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[miyuru]

So I just ordered some Etymotic ER6i's, for only $100 US - $50 US below retail. You can find lots of sites selling for this price.

Anyway, the $100 US + Shipping came to about $120 US, or around $140-150 CDN. I could've bought these for $200 CDN locally, but the money I was saving was worth it.

So now the cans get here, and UPS charges me $48 in brokerage fees.

I feel so robbed. Worst part is I've bought things more expensive than this online (i.e. $400 something on an MD player) but never paid out the arse on delivery.

BTW I ordered from "The Twister Group". I'm sure they're great in America where you wouldn't have to pay such fees.

 

[Mejilan]

WTF? That sounds really shady. Are brokerage fees a Canadian thing? Is this a customs thing?

 

[Jason]

Yup, custom fees suck. If you're gonna order something from the States you better make sure it's worth it. Sometimes you get lucky and the company/online store will mark down your package with a value of $0 (I <3 you Matador and Insound).

 

[miyuru]

Yeah, I called UPS when I received it actually.

They told me if it's over $100 US (came to $103........) brokerage fees will be $41CDN + GST = $48.

If your product cost between $40 to $100 USD, brokerage fees are still $31 CDN.

Anyway, brokerage fees start if your product is over $20 USD (even $20.01). I forget how much that goes for.

What BS.

I'm sorta worried now about the $200 arcade stick I bought hahaha :lol Well the guy making it put a note saying it was a gift, so I hope it's all right.

Next time I'm really going to look into this kinda stuff. Every time I've ordered online, I've never run into this kinda thing (i.e. importing games).

EDIT: Just remembered, my MD shipped from Hong Kong came with a note = no customs. Goddamn, I feel so ripped off right now.

 

[Pedigree Chum]

Is it only packages sent from the US? Cause I got a PSP pack from someone in Japan, he wrote that the value of the pack was $340USD but I never got charged by customs for it. Did I get lucky

 

[miyuru]

UPS told me these brokerage fees are up to them to decide what to charge, and apparently they're ~30% cheaper than other shipping companies.....well that's what the lady on the phone said.

I dunno, I want to know exactly where my money goes, and why some deliveries are free.

 

[Draff]

It's only UPS that charges brokerage fees at these rates... that's why I never order anything unless I get it shipped via USPS.

There are forms to clear your own shipments but it's pretty tedious IIRC.

You should look into it.

As for that gift you have coming, you'll be charged for it even though it was marked as a gift I believe if it was shipped via UPS.

Oh and that woman doesn't know what she's talking about.
Just google UPS and brokerage fees and read other people's stories.

 

[jenov4]

It's only UPS that charges brokerage fees at these rates... that's why I never order anything unless I get it shipped via USPS.

Listen to this man! UPS is the worst fucking service to have when having your stuff shipped from USA to Canada. They ding you on the brokerage fee like there's no tomorrow.

I love FedEx on the other hand. I've received expensive packages where I was supposed to pay the GST on the items (something like $200 worth of taxes). I would call up their 1-800 number, tell the operator that the package had a wrong declared value and they would remove the fees instantly. Good stuff.

 

[SickBoy]

Did you ship UPS ground? I've read that that's where they try and bone you... and that they don't charge brokerage (or as much brokerage) when something's shipped via air.

I also have heard that FedEx avoids these stupid issues... as does USPS, obviously.

 

[miyuru]

*PHEW*

Thank God, cuz my stick is being shipped via USPS. My MD was shipped via DHL I believe.

Wonder if there's a site detailing these sorts of things?

The only time I've had to deal with UPS is shipping within the country, never international.

Man, FUCK UPS. Fuck all this bullshit. It's keeping me from enjoying these headphones, totally killed my weekend. I mean, basically an extra third of my original payment went to these fucking scumbags.

EDIT:

From http://www.epinions.com/content_20759744132:

Always use the USPS instead of UPS when mailing a package from the USA to Canada. Always. Always. Always.

UPS charges a horrendous brokerage fee on packages that cross the border. A brokerage fee is the fee charged for conducting a package through customs.

The postal system doesn't charge _any_ brokerage fee. These fees are charged to the recipient, and not the sender.

US Mail is the way to go when shipping from US to Canada. Canada Post will do the required customs brokering and will assess the correct duty and GST. ALL FOR $5.....You get a note in the mail that tells you you have a parcel waiting at your nearest post office. You pay the duty,GST and $5 fee and away you go. No UPS guy hiding parcels in the shrubs, or leaving your parcel with the ex-con next door, NO brokerage fees and especially....no finger pointing when UPS CANADA blames the missing parcel on UPS USA and they do likewise and inform you that they aren't really affiliated.....they just have the same name

UPS charges an incredible "brokerage fee" on all shipments they bring into Canada. The minimum fee is about $50.00. I have refused to use UPS because of this fee. And what does UPS do to earn this fee? They stamp the parcel with their brokerage stamp.

UGHHHHHHHHHH I feel so STUPID. I honestly thought I was a smart online shopper :lol I'm smart in the products I buy and the prices I find......but jeez never thought about shipping in this sense.

 

[miyuru]

Ok all the horror stories (I still can't believe I never even figured to look into this shit) I've read so far say use the "post office" when shipping from the States to Canada. I'm assuming this means use USPS? And USPS will hand over the package to Canada Post when it gets here?

 

[SickBoy]

US Postal Service, yeah. So was it shipped UPS Ground? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[miyuru]

Yeah, UPS Ground. Just google search 'UPS, brokerage fees' if you're interested, it's all HORROR STORIES except for the official UPS site, which is just a big lie.

Anyway yeah, UPS Ground. Took a week to get here from Texas I believe, not bad (shipped on last Friday).

Apparently if you use air service, the brokerage fees (which still do exist I think) are reduced as they are more or less included in the standard shipping fee.

Also, the cheapest solution then is to use the 'post office', or ship via USPS and pick it up at your local Canada Post office. The fee will only be $5 or something (read the quote above).

I'm still in disbelief sorta. For the average consumer, shipping across the border and getting charged so much, it's ridiculous, especially since I've done it before, just its never been with UPS.

Anyone know the brokerage fees on a gift item via UPS (or other companies), where no price/value is listed by the sender? Just curious.