UPS brokerage fees, and how to avoid them!

[BeachSled]

Holy smokes this just might be worth the effort

Which of the two options did you use??

And thanks for the info and the update !

 

[blar]

Did option one. UPS actually called me and wanted a Visa number to cover the brokerage charges. I told them I would self clear the customs myself. When you go down to customs take a copy of a freight bill, an invoice from the supplier and I.D. The customs agent was kind of a d!ck but that's to be expected, he did understand why I was doing this and said he's seeing it a lot these days but it's only UPS that is screwing you. He said a lot of U.S.A supplier are not even using UPS as a shipping option anymore. The best way is USPS but it's slower. Fed Ex and DHL only charge a minimal brokerage fee ( $10.00 - $15.00?? ) but are more expensive than UPS/USPS.

 

[doorfx]

Even USPS /canada post is starting to charge. I received a lift kit and wheel spacers from a private sale in the states and they are used. The freight was prepaid and when I received it I had to pay $4.99 GST and an $8.50 handling fee. It came with a "request for refund of duties and taxes on casual importation " form. I will send it in and see how it goes

 

[oler1234]

.... just get whoever is shipping to put "WARRANTY" on it.

 

[20_rc51_00]

Did option one. UPS actually called me and wanted a Visa number to cover the brokerage charges. I told them I would self clear the customs myself. When you go down to customs take a copy of a freight bill, an invoice from the supplier and I.D. The customs agent was kind of a d!ck but that's to be expected, he did understand why I was doing this and said he's seeing it a lot these days but it's only UPS that is screwing you. He said a lot of U.S.A supplier are not even using UPS as a shipping option anymore. The best way is USPS but it's slower. Fed Ex and DHL only charge a minimal brokerage fee ( $10.00 - $15.00?? ) but are more expensive than UPS/USPS.

I'm a new member here and my first post is to state that you are my new hero! lol well done! Will be doing this soon for some of my own shipments!

 

[tool_man]

I use primarily USPS due to ups fees, but tried purolater for a recent electronics purchase and their freight/duty fee was very reasonable and very quick.

 

[Murminator]

I just got a new consul shifter and related parts shipped through USPS from Florida and they charged $20 customs fee, Not sure if USPS or Canada post that charged me, upon delivery took 8 days to get here still saved $300 from what dodge here wanted

 

[luvz da mud]

been jacked at stylus-point on my steps many times by those crooks, had NO IDEA i had the right to refuse and do it myself, to think of all that money i've wasted! i wanna go order something online right now and specify brown bring it to me just so i can tell them to F-O! i feel empowered! great thread

 

[petsatvs]

I've been burned by them before, and learned my lesson not to use UPS. So I only buy from the US if they ship USPS but the shipping is a lot slower and poor tracking information if any at all. The thread I started on commander doors got me investigating again and I came across this site....
UPS/FedEx Brokerage Fee

On this site it explains how to self clear your items if they are shipped by UPS, and pay directly to the gov't any taxes owed on your shipment therefore acting as your own "broker" avoiding the outrageous UPS brokerage fee. The downside is that you pretty much have to live near a Canada Borders Service Agency office (Edmonton, Calgary, or points south) to make it worthwhile. There's a lot of reading to go through, but plenty of testimonials of how it is done and what you need to do it yourself.

It also talks about Fed Ex, and how they choose to get you with their brokerage fees. They bill you after a period of time that prevents you from self clearing because they have already remitted your fees for taxes to the gov't. Lots of good info here, check it out!

best thing to do is use another customs broker. you do not have to use UPS or FedEx as the broker. just go open an account with a customs broker and they will do it instead. i use www.clearit.ca, its a completely online broker and has saved me tons of money in fees. was sick of getting RIPPED OFF by ups brokerage charge. also no more paying at the door. before i order my parts i go on their website and use their calculator, give me the exact price everything will cost me. Canada has a lot of customs brokers but clearit was the only canadian customs broker that was online and easy to use.