Help! ugly UPS Customs Brokerage Fees

[fundmark19]

I always choose this service with monoprice and I haven't been ripped off yet I think most I have paid is 20 bucks so lets see what happens this afternoon

[Northendzone]

it is possible that i am not really grasping this issue, but i recently ordered a new tailight lens for my gas guzzling SUV and it was shipped UPS - to the best of my knowledge, I paid for the lens and shipping and that was all - there were no fees requested at the time of deliery.

[DownhillGoat]

^was it shipped out of the us?

[Bertuzzied]

^^ yeah if it's canadian UPS is not a problem. but if it's from outside of Canada, its soap dropping time!

[Ace]

^UPS Express (worldwide) is totally fine as they "include" brokerage fees, the issue is with UPS ground, and slower services. In fact if you have the option to "upgrade" to express it is always cheaper and faster in my experience than having to deal with the mysterious brokerage fees.

[Northendzone]

The tail lamp lens was shipped from Michigan I believe.

[fundmark19]

Well no need to worry! Package came and regular 20 dollar fees!

[Wormius]

Where was this thread a month ago when I made the mistake of assuming that Amazon Canada purchases actually shipped from Canada and I wouldn't be screwed by UPS brokerage fees.. *sigh*

[DownhillGoat]

^Same place it's been for 6 years?

[Wormius]

^ I think I will just boycott any sellers who use UPS now. I ordered more expensive stuff that was shipped by USPS and didn't get charged anything extra.

[YYC in LAX]

I don't understand this whole concept. I ordered 6 vinyl records from amazon.com and they shipped from Pennsylvania an arrived 3 days later without any brokerage fees via UPS. I think the total was $5.00 shipping while checking out on amazon.com

I ordered another 2 records from amazon.com at the same time which are shipping from California via DHL. Since its been about 9 days im assuming they are coming via ground. I'm thinking/hoping I won't have any fees to pay.

I've noticed some items don't even ship to Canada from amazon.com. Does this mean they won't ship certain items that would require brokerage fees? Therefore, anything from the site doesn't need to be brokered?

Are there certain items (other than "gifts") that must or must not be charged for brokerage fees?

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Wormius

^ I think I will just boycott any sellers who use UPS now. I ordered more expensive stuff that was shipped by USPS and didn't get charged anything extra.

Yeah that's what I've done. If it can't be shipped USPS I either don't order it, or use a US shipping outlet.

Originally Posted by YYC in LAX

I've noticed some items don't even ship to Canada from amazon.com. Does this mean they won't ship certain items that would require brokerage fees?

In a lot of cases, there's certain brands that can't be shipped to Canada due to agreements with suppliers/distributors. I've run into this a lot with electronics and sports equipment. For example, K2 and Line both have agreements that prevent US distributors/retail stores from shipping to Canada and screwing the Canadian sellers.

[Wormius]

I bought a Merkur safety razor from Amazon Canada for about $50, it shipped via UPS ground from the states. When it finally showed up, I got dinged for $20 for brokerage fees. I also bought a fountain pen for $30 and $2 for some smart phone screen protectors that shipped from the states and Hong Kong respectively. Just showed up in the mail box no problems.

[YYC in LAX]

This should help...As stated by someone above, Express etc covers brokerage fees.