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Hack&Lube · 01-11-2006, 05:01 PM

I'm sure most of us who've had parcels shipped to us from the US know that parcels shipped via couriers, especially UPS get slapped with ridiculously horrendous customs brokerage fees.

That's because instead of Canada Customs processing your parcel for $5 + GST, UPS hires its own private brokerage house and hires their own brokers to do the "paperwork" and "processing" for you which ends up costing usually $50 minimum or more, sometimes even costing more than 100% of the original value of the package which is completely ridiculous.

Now, I've had a Small Form Factor computer shipped to me from the US and I specified USPS but it was accidentally shipped by the guy in a big lot via UPS. I've checked the tracking site and it's sitting in Winnipeg right now but I can almost predict a huge slap of brokerage fees on me -> and that's on top of the actual duty and taxes charged by Canada! Maybe $100 or more for a $200 package.

What are my options? I didn't realize that he shipped it via UPS from the US. Can I call UPS and refuse accepting the shipment? Does shipping it back cost either party any return charges? What can I do?

01-11-2006, 05:01 PM	#1
Hack&Lube Atomic Nerd Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Calgary Exp:	Help! ugly UPS Customs Brokerage Fees I'm sure most of us who've had parcels shipped to us from the US know that parcels shipped via couriers, especially UPS get slapped with ridiculously horrendous customs brokerage fees. That's because instead of Canada Customs processing your parcel for $5 + GST, UPS hires its own private brokerage house and hires their own brokers to do the "paperwork" and "processing" for you which ends up costing usually $50 minimum or more, sometimes even costing more than 100% of the original value of the package which is completely ridiculous. Now, I've had a Small Form Factor computer shipped to me from the US and I specified USPS but it was accidentally shipped by the guy in a big lot via UPS. I've checked the tracking site and it's sitting in Winnipeg right now but I can almost predict a huge slap of brokerage fees on me -> and that's on top of the actual duty and taxes charged by Canada! Maybe $100 or more for a $200 package. What are my options? I didn't realize that he shipped it via UPS from the US. Can I call UPS and refuse accepting the shipment? Does shipping it back cost either party any return charges? What can I do?