UPS to Canada, BEWARE!!!

[650brad]

I know alot of you are aware of this but, for those who aren't, beware of the brokerage fees and subsequent GST on your purchases shipped to Canada by UPS. Any money you may have saved by buying parts from the States will be eaten up by these charges. With our Canadian dollar doing as well as it is right now, there are some very good deals through mail order and e-bay. Just be sure of how the company deals with shipping. I find USPS to be the most economical, not because they charge less, in most cases, but because there are no brokerage fees. On a $100 item, I recently paid over $30 in brokerage. And that's on top of my shipping costs. Now, I'm not complaining about their shipping, it's usually pretty fast, just the extra fees. Sometimes the best deal really isn't, once you get stiffed by UPS. Just thought I'd pass this on.

[IronMick]

Ditto on this. UPS to Canada is a big ripoff. USPS is great.

[650brad]

I also believe that the brokerage fees vary depending on the physical size and/or value of your shipment. Correct me if I'm wrong on that one. Also, would it be possible for this thread to be made into a "sticky" so it doesn't get buried?

[SamIam]

It's Canada not UPS. FedEx does the same thing.

USPS just happens to not bother with the tax issue...because it's the US government (if it were U.S. Taxes that would be different) :D

[650brad]

It's Canada not UPS. FedEx does the same thing.

USPS just happens to not bother with the tax issue...because it's the US government (if it were U.S. Taxes that would be different) :D
Sorry to tell you that you are completely wrong on that one. When you get your invoice from UPS it shows your brokerage fees right on it, plus GST (Goods and Services Tax) on those fees. Yes, you do pay GST on the value of your purchase but, that applies no matter who ships it. I had a parcel delivered by Purolator recently and they had no brokerage fees, just like USPS. It isn't a tax issue as every package that comes into Canada is taxed on it's value, it's the brokerage. Do you think $30 brokerage, plus 7% tax on that brokerage, is fair for a $100 package?

[IronMick]

Sorry to tell you that you are completely wrong on that one. When you get your invoice from UPS it shows your brokerage fees right on it, plus GST (Goods and Services Tax) on those fees. Yes, you do pay GST on the value of your purchase but, that applies no matter who ships it. I had a parcel delivered by Purolator recently and they had no brokerage fees, just like USPS. It isn't a tax issue as every package that comes into Canada is taxed on it's value, it's the brokerage. Do you think $30 brokerage, plus 7% tax on that brokerage, is fair for a $100 package?

This is it. It is UPS and their brokerage fees. They are the crud of the earth.

[650brad]

This is it. It is UPS and their brokerage fees. They are the crud of the earth.
IronMick, I couldn't agree more. I used to like UPS until I figured out the brokerage scam a few years back. I had ordered some parts for my '70 Coronet R/T and some of the parts were back-ordered. Instead of shipping everything after all the parts were in, the company I ordered from sent me 3 different packages and the brokerage fees killed me. So, I'm now willing to spend a little more on a purchase if I can get it shipped USPS. It's cheaper, in the end, most of the time and even if it isn't, I would sooner see a decent business get the extra money. Sometimes, you have to do a little more shopping as alot of places only ship UPS. I won't deal with anyone that only uses UPS, unless it's something I absolutely have to have and I have exhausted all other options. They are gouging Canadians, pure and simple.

[acenorm]

I only use USPS on shipping things, even in the U.S. I have priced things through UPS and USPS, and the cost difference was ridiculous. USPS is the only way to go.

Best Regards,
Norm

[650brad]

Thanks for the info, Norm. I guess UPS is gouging everyone, not just people outside the U.S.

[acenorm]

Well, they have the Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes, that can ship up to 40 pounds for $8.10 I believe. Granted the boxes aren't huge, but if you are shipping stuff like engine parts or smaller parts, you can ship a lot for the price. Plus the shipping is in 2-3 days. You can't beat that.

Best Regards,
Norm

[indyrednek]

I only use USPS on shipping things, even in the U.S. I have priced things through UPS and USPS, and the cost difference was ridiculous. USPS is the only way to go.

Best Regards,
Norm
Except USPS does not insure.

[acenorm]

Yes they do. http://www.usps.com/insurance/welcome.htm

Best Regards,
Norm

[johnnybgood]

I shipped a pair of hand levers to Italy vis USPS for $7.95. If it's a gift I don't think they have to pay any duty taxes. UPS wanted like $40 !!!!

[jdawson]

UPS and FEDEX both charge seperate brokerage fees on ground shipments to Canada. If you ship by UPS or FEDEX AIR, there are no brokerage fees (the shipping is outrageous however). USPS Global Express Mail is fast and has no brokerage fees and you can purchase insurance for your shipment.

Jim

[frankyboy455]

I too live in Canada and often buy thing from the US of A and let me tell you, USPS is the ONLY logical way to go. Reminds me of something that happened to me a few years ago...came home after work to find a UPS sticker on my door saying they tried to deliver a package and that they would try the next day or I could come and pick it up at their office until 7 oclock the same day. So there I went to pick up my package and as usual, the girl at the counter tells me how much I owe her. She explains to me the invoice by saying this here is taxes on the value of your product and this here is duty. I said I'm sorry but there is no duty on this product (she was talking about the brokerage fees). The thing is, they try to let us think it's duty fees instead of brokerage fees. While she insisted saying it was duty fees, I told her she can call it all she wants, it's not going into the government's pockets, it's going right in UPS's pockets so don't take me for an idiot ! So now what I do, when I buy something from someone in the US, I insist on USPS which is FAIR ...feels good to let it off my chest...by the way, UPS says it won't charge you ANY brokerage fees if you use their "upgraded" service which costs almost twice the regular price...yeah right...they're surely not taking us for idiots...no no....

[NoBoZoS]

:censor
I agree the worst way to have anything shipped to Canada is via FEDX or UPS.
USPS is the way to go....In Canada through government legislation the postal service can only charge a $5.00 handling fee....no outrageous hidden or brokerage fees.
For my US friends you can ship to Canada by various methods, all of which you can purchase insurance for to protect from loss. This includes Air Mail Letter Post which is for letters and small packages under 4lbs...If its in a box its insurable via USPS. Air Mail Letter Post (small packages) is very economical and insurable.