International Shipping RANT!!!

[HStream1]

I sincerely consider Canadians my Friends! And i have some personal friends as well as valued Canadian Customers. BUT After this last Shipping Cluster gets resolved. It will take a Act Of Congress (To coin a phrase) or a gun held to my head before ill ever ship anything across the US Border. I mean its like well you didnt Dot this eye correctly or we dont like the way you crossed your t's :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:.

The time it takes to fill out a customs form in a way that my Canadian friends dont get raped with customs fees or taxes simply isnt worth my Time. Then if some ass hat where ever dont like something everything comes to a screeching hault till the shipper jumps through Fire Hoops like a Circus Tiger.

[Rak Rua]

You should try buying something from the U.S. and shipping to Thailand....
I’ve bought 3 boats from America in the last 10 years and imported them to Thailand. The America part was pretty good but once they arrived here, the fun and games begin....... ‘Johnnie Walker’ solved many of the problems but finding someone to negotiate the deal was a nightmare.

Another fun one, importing small items..... I bought a drive shower for a Bravo One (about 150 USD). $80 shipping, $230 import duty, $40 VAT. Box was torn open and on the Thai import docs under description of goods it said in English “We don’t know what is the item”.

If importing/exporting annoys you, you’re not alone. :)

RR

[HStream1]

Oh I know all to well how things can get hung up with customs in Most all parts of South East Asia. I was stationed there for 6 years. And YES Its amazing what a bottle Of Jack Daniels or Crown Royal can get done. Or sometimes some Palm Greasing.

But Connecting Countries??? I mean theres supposed to be NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) in place??


You should try buying something from the U.S. and shipping to Thailand....
I’ve bought 3 boats from America in the last 10 years and imported them to Thailand. The America part was pretty good but once they arrived here, the fun and games begin....... ‘Johnnie Walker’ solved many of the problems but finding someone to negotiate the deal was a nightmare.

Another fun one, importing small items..... I bought a drive shower for a Bravo One (about 150 USD). $80 shipping, $230 import duty, $40 VAT. Box was torn open and on the Thai import docs under description of goods it said in English “We don’t know what is the item”.

If importing/exporting annoys you, you’re not alone. :)

RR

[Bodhi]

You guys should just put your parts in a shopping cart and pay someone to walk it across the borders.....I hear they are wide open for the next 3 and a half years, no import, duty , or sales tax

[JBS]

I have been in the shipping business for 45 years. I have never seen it so busy. Last spring it was $2,500 to send a container to China. Last fall the price went up to 6,500 for the same box if you could get one. All this was before the ports starting getting backed up. Unfortunately I do not see a end in sight. I ordered Windows back in January they said it would be 12 weeks before I got them. Now they are uncertain when they will come in.

[keith scotton]

No free trade going to CANADA. I sent Parts from BRP the French Canadian company to Canada to a friend taxes were stupid. A Friend in the Shipping industry sold his 21 foot Fishing boat to the manager of the African division of the company he works for. Local Chief Would not let it off the dock called it an attack boat.

[kellytheaker]

I understand it is just another form required to go from US to Canada . A description of the product and value . A telephone number of the reciever .
I know it's another hurdle/ a couple minutes of paperwork but I believe it's simple.
Not exactly sure of the problem you ran into but yes there is one additional step and it needs to be filled out correctly as most paperwork .
Depends on how you view the problem if that's what you want to call it . I have viewed more than a few on the board here that only ship within USA .
sounds like the shipment or package got flagged probably due to values - stated on the form and there is a fine line of too little value . I understand the need to save the guy some dough - it gets pricey 35% differance in currency plus shipping then duty . Just be clear on the actual contents and a reasonable amount declared on the value or services rendered . Don't close the door ,understand clearly how to open it - if you will .
Personally I have watched your threads and someday I may need your services as many others I am sure .

[LakeFever]

Cross border shipping is a legal document. This is why the I's and T's have to be just so or its basically a spolied document same as an election if you dont mark the ballot correctly its spoiled.

NAFTA gone, USMCA now. Not good, not good AT ALL. Think about it and consider what the Gipper said and what I have to wonder is this abolition of NAFTA happened on Trumps watch, not the dems. Wtf?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcDNXMy4VpA

[HStream1]

I spent 30 Minutes yesterday completing what I thought was the correct International Shipping details on my commercial fedex account. Then get a call last night that everything was wrong Customs wise. So I returned the call this morning and as of yet No One has been able to tell me whats the correct procedure. So In a effort to get the goods to the person. Ive now spent 2+ hrs on the Computer filling out Forms only to get Road Blocked with " Description needs additional Information??? How many more descriptions can a pair of Aluminum Engine Heads be described that satisfies a customs form??? Then Theres the (What They call Harmonized Code) So then one spends God knows how much time trying to weed through 1000's of codes to find a applicable one. Then!!!!!!! when you click calculate you get this "The commodities highlighted below need additional Harmonized Code information to calculate duties and taxes." So guess what? After trying several times with no success Ill refund the money or the Buyer can set up their own shipping and pick up.


I understand it is just another form required to go from US to Canada . A description of the product and value . A telephone number of the reciever .
I know it's another hurdle/ a couple minutes of paperwork but I believe it's simple.
Not exactly sure of the problem you ran into but yes there is one additional step and it needs to be filled out correctly as most paperwork .
Depends on how you view the problem if that's what you want to call it . I have viewed more than a few on the board here that only ship within USA .
sounds like the shipment or package got flagged probably due to values - stated on the form and there is a fine line of too little value . I understand the need to save the guy some dough - it gets pricey 35% differance in currency plus shipping then duty . Just be clear on the actual contents and a reasonable amount declared on the value or services rendered . Don't close the door ,understand clearly how to open it - if you will .
Personally I have watched your threads and someday I may need your services as many others I am sure .

[David]

I shop in the US all the time. It's the global shoppers paradise. A couple of years ago a customer from China told me he was going to the mall (suburban Detroit) because due to taxes in China, he could buy made in China stuff cheaper in the US

Option 1: Send stuff US mail. I've never paid brokerage with US mail. Fed Ex and UPS can be brutal with brokerage. The mail has never asked me for sales tax either, which should be due. Yes with free trade stuff is duty free, but it's not sales tax free

Option 2: Home - CrossBorder Pickups (https://www.crossborderpickups.ca/)

Some guys on another message board recommend option 2. I will try it out

[LakeFever]

Unacceptable bureaucratic incompetence. At least I HOPE its that simple and not some lefty ars making up stories to interupt a market they "dont aprove of" because of climaclownenomics
*

[HStream1]

Dave:

Fedex is $38.47 If i can ever get everything to Gel on the customs form. USPS is $70.00.


I shop in the US all the time. It's the global shoppers paradise. A couple of years ago a customer from China told me he was going to the mall (suburban Detroit) because due to taxes in China, he could buy made in China stuff cheaper in the US

Option 1: Send stuff US mail. I've never paid brokerage with US mail. Fed Ex and UPS can be brutal with brokerage. The mail has never asked me for sales tax either, which should be due. Yes with free trade stuff is duty free, but it's not sales tax free

Option 2: Home - CrossBorder Pickups (https://www.crossborderpickups.ca/)

Some guys on another message board recommend option 2. I will try it out

[David]

What I am buying affects how I see $38-$70. Crazy for an oil filter for my Lotus each spring. Fine for a new 200XS

[Dave Strong]

Oh I know all to well how things can get hung up with customs in Most all parts of South East Asia. I was stationed there for 6 years. And YES Its amazing what a bottle Of Jack Daniels or Crown Royal can get done. Or sometimes some Palm Greasing.

But Connecting Countries??? I mean theres supposed to be NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) in place??

Bud I see things have not changed, remember my gearcase? You had put your value for the coating on the customs form, Insured value of case at $1000.00. they decided to charge me customs fees on the insured value of the my case that was sent for a service. Not the lesser actual service. Asshats just find a way to get as much tax as they can. Pretty sure NAFTA only applies to big companies shipping to companies across borders not small companies shipping to private people.

Dave

[keith scotton]

IF You Buy Enough STUFF YOU ARE HAVING MADE over seas YOU SOON CAN NOT BUY ANYTHING EXCEPT WHAT THEY WANT TO SELL YOU. The Few are selling us to other countries. They steal your inventions just because you gave it to them to steal.

[HStream1]

I remember that all to well. They got you going and coming. But If I hadnt insured the Case and something happened (Lost or Stolen) because there is NO WAY they could have damaged anything with that 5/8" Plywood 2 x 4 and 2 x 6 Framed crate you built. They would have said well?? It wasnt insured sorry.


Bud I see things have not changed, remember my gearcase? You had put your value for the coating on the customs form, Insured value of case at $1000.00. they decided to charge me customs fees on the insured value of the my case that was sent for a service. Not the lesser actual service. Asshats just find a way to get as much tax as they can. Pretty sure NAFTA only applies to big companies shipping to companies across borders not small companies shipping to private people.

Dave

[V-bottom]

Bud you did a great job on my gearcase. Don't give up on us Canadians. I would gladly pay the extra $50 or 70 freight cost to have you powder coat it. We have our own powder coat paint line for painting commercial products and we can't provide the quality job that you provide. I believe I called the freight carrier to arrange the pick up at your shop and ship back to Canada when you did mine. Yes it is a pain in the ass dealing with paperwork. Whatever it is your work is top notch!!

[HStream1]

Thanks for the Kind words!!!

Im really not giving up on my Canadian Friends. It just pisses me off that you cant get a hard copy form to fill out anymore. The Online Links are not user friendly to people like me. Maybe for those that actually grew up in the Computer age. But Even the Fedex Rep that ended up calling me admitted their Site wasnt user friendly to alot of people. Guess if its something someone does everyday (International shipping) Its a cake walk. But In my case Its only once in a blue moon.


Bud you did a great job on my gearcase. Don't give up on us Canadians. I would gladly pay the extra $50 or 70 freight cost to have you powder coat it. We have our own powder coat paint line for painting commercial products and we can't provide the quality job that you provide. I believe I called the freight carrier to arrange the pick up at your shop and ship back to Canada when you did mine. Yes it is a pain in the ass dealing with paperwork. Whatever it is your work is top notch!!

[kellytheaker]

Glad to hear your forging ahead - and possibly able to accommodate northern customers .
Changes in paperwork meaning online only can be frustrating when problems or questions come up . It's how you handle the problem - paper work - phone conversations- doing bills - remitting taxes - ordering supplies - all time consuming and unpaid .
Crossing a border with goods has gotten more stringent and they try and manage that flow carefully .
Glad you got a call and straightened it out finally . Now back to the usual grind of powder coating at Buds world headquarters of powder.

[MattGreen]

If you are a reasonably high-volume Canadian shipper/receiver (like a lot of the Canadian members on here are), by far the best way is to setup a US mail-drop address. These businesses exist all along the US side of the border and charge modest fees. Obviously with the pandemic border closure this is not a good current option, but that will end. It helps both the shipper and receiver tremendously - you become your own customers broker - brokerage fees out the window :D. I've had big stuff delivered to the US mail drops - a boat, powerheads, cowls, skid of midsection parts, etc - really reasonable prices. If you don't live that close to the border yourself you can have a friend/relative pickup your stuff for you.

Matt

[Chaz]

Seems like half the things I send to Canada goes straight thru . The other half sit's in Customs jail .. waiting to get bonded out . As soon as anything leaves the US , it's no longer tracked by the the shipping company . All they say is call a bondsman .

I sent a piece to Canada a week or three ago. The kid at Fed-Ex ( my usual girl wasn't there ) said , your invoice and declared value are way off .. they'll never accept it.

I said .. so if you sent me your Rolex ;) to be repaired. And I fixed it for $100 .

Would you want it insured for $100 or $20,100 .. ??? Go~head son .. take all the time you need ... :confused:

Must be the schools closed due to Ninja-19 that leaves them pondering the concept of selling something vs. repairing a customer owned part. If I don't write returning to owner on the invoice , shipping paperwork , the box itself .. there isn't enough redundancy for them to remember.

How do I recoup the time and effort lost to them ... ????

I get the satisfaction of knowing that when I send a set of reeds out of country .. I repackage them in music sheets and claim : Clarinet reeds .50c each ... :thumbsup:

[Dave Strong]

Seems like half the things I send to Canada goes straight thru . The other half sit's in Customs jail .. waiting to get bonded out . As soon as anything leaves the US , it's no longer tracked by the the shipping company . All they say is call a bondsman .

I sent a piece to Canada a week or three ago. The kid at Fed-Ex ( my usual girl wasn't there ) said , your invoice and declared value are way off .. they'll never accept it.

I said .. so if you sent me your Rolex ;) to be repaired. And I fixed it for $100 .

Would you want it insured for $100 or $20,100 .. ??? Go~head son .. take all the time you need ... :confused:

Must be the schools closed due to Ninja-19 that leaves them pondering the concept of selling something vs. repairing a customer owned part. If I don't write returning to owner on the invoice , shipping paperwork , the box itself .. there isn't enough redundancy for them to remember.

How do I recoup the time and effort lost to them ... ????

I get the satisfaction of knowing that when I send a set of reeds out of country .. I repackage them in music sheets and claim : Clarinet reeds .50c each ... :thumbsup:

Why didn't you tell Bud to wrap my gearcase in music sheets.;) get what your saying, had a tuner held up in Customs years ago. Declared as an outboard engine part. Customs guy said no such thing as an outboard engine only outboard motors. Guess all outboards are electric.:rolleyes:

Dave:)

[Chaz]

Handwritin is on the wall ... So your ahead of your time .. :D

High performance outboards to, 4-pokes, then down to, long extension cords .. :eek: :leaving:

I told em once that a Powerglide planetary set was a missal guidance system .. they didn't think was too funny. (pre 9-11, so the black Escalades never swarmed my driveway ) ;)

[HStream1]

Well they didnt think it was funny because you didnt explain it correctly!! https://youtu.be/Ac7G7xOG2Ag?t=3




I told em once that a Powerglide planetary set was a missal guidance system .. they didn't think was too funny. (pre 9-11, so the black Escalades never swarmed my driveway ) ;)

[David]

Cross border pickups say they will pick up at their US mail drop on the US side and bring stuff across. Right now we can’t cross the border to use the mail drops on the US side

[Chaz]

Well they didnt think it was funny because you didnt explain it correctly!! https://youtu.be/Ac7G7xOG2Ag?t=3

That's always a great one ... :thumbsup:

I found a new .. great way to ship out of country .
I send everything out thru the Mexican boarder ... seems all the traffic in incoming .. so the line leaving is short and quick .. :o :( :D

[99fxst99]

Years ago an inboard racer from Canada bought a new engine in the US, probably $10K at the time. Before coming bown he bought a junkyard Chevy and put it in his truck. Told Customs he was bringing the engine across for repairs, and it was coming back across. They asked for the serial number. He pointed to it cast into the engine (intake manifold). 18436572. Got to the engine shop, threw it in the junk pile and lut the new engine in the truck. Back to the border. Customs guard checked the serial number cast into the engine. 18436572. No problem. No tariff. :)

[HStream1]

Im waiting to see how many pick up on what he actually showed them ;)


They asked for the serial number. He pointed to it cast into the engine (intake manifold). 18436572. Got to the engine shop, threw it in the junk pile and lut the new engine in the truck. Back to the border. Customs guard checked the serial number cast into the engine. 18436572. No problem. No tariff. :)

[Dave Strong]

Im waiting to see how many pick up on what he actually showed them ;)

Guess I should have used the stamped case part number when sent down.;) But the way it was bolted to the 2x6 they would not be able to see it. I was happy it made the trip with no damage.

Dave

[99fxst99]

Im waiting to see how many pick up on what he actually showed them ;)

Us boomers know this $hit!

[LakeFever]

Wow what I coincidence! I owned that same motor

[Muskoka2]

Years ago an inboard racer from Canada bought a new engine in the US, probably $10K at the time. Before coming bown he bought a junkyard Chevy and put it in his truck. Told Customs he was bringing the engine across for repairs, and it was coming back across. They asked for the serial number. He pointed to it cast into the engine (intake manifold). 18436572. Got to the engine shop, threw it in the junk pile and lut the new engine in the truck. Back to the border. Customs guard checked the serial number cast into the engine. 18436572. No problem. No tariff. :)
If you're bringing a boat back-go across the border with an empty trailer/bring boat to Lake Ontario/Erie/Huron etc. drive across-driver comes across with still empty trailer-both are back in Canuckistan!

[Chaz]

https://www.screamandfly.com/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by HStream1 https://www.screamandfly.com/images/buttons/viewpost-right.png (https://www.screamandfly.com/showthread.php?p=3276399#post3276399)
Im waiting to see how many pick up on what he actually showed them ;)



Us boomers know this $hit!

I must have gotten a fake one , :nonod: .. it said : 18736542 ;)

Strong man , I just got off the phone with the pentagon , The Sportmaster thing.. they didn't mean anything by it .... but they really want their C-130 J Hercules back . :eek: :D

https://i.imgur.com/mGodngzl.jpg

[HStream1]

Most likely a Mexican version :leaving:


https://www.screamandfly.com/images/misc/quote_icon.png I must have gotten a fake one , :nonod: .. it said : 18736542 ;)

[Chaz]

Most likely a Mexican version :leaving:

They say they gotz drone footage of you in the co-pilot seat ... :eek: :)

Chaz = thinkin this is the same bird that dropped a 500 pound cluster of fried Okra over Toms River N.J. last week ... :eek: :D

https://i.imgur.com/gcDUbCE.jpg

[HStream1]

Had to be someone else but i got blamed for it. Just look at this face accusing me of such an act!! SMH!!



485670


They say they gotz drone footage of you in the co-pilot seat ... :eek: :)

Chaz = thinkin this is the same bird that dropped a 500 pound cluster of fried Okra over Toms River N.J. last week ... :eek: :D

[powerabout]

You should try buying something from the U.S. and shipping to Thailand....
I’ve bought 3 boats from America in the last 10 years and imported them to Thailand. The America part was pretty good but once they arrived here, the fun and games begin....... ‘Johnnie Walker’ solved many of the problems but finding someone to negotiate the deal was a nightmare.

Another fun one, importing small items..... I bought a drive shower for a Bravo One (about 150 USD). $80 shipping, $230 import duty, $40 VAT. Box was torn open and on the Thai import docs under description of goods it said in English “We don’t know what is the item”.

If importing/exporting annoys you, you’re not alone. :)

RR


Ship to Langkawi and then drive down by boat and pick it up

[Rak Rua]

Ship to Langkawi and then drive down by boat and pick it up

That can work if you’re in Phuket but if you’re in Pattaya (the Gulf of Thailand) Langkawi is on the other side of the peninsula, all the way around Singapore. It’s a very long way by boat.......:)

RR

[powerabout]

That can work if you’re in Phuket but if you’re in Pattaya (the Gulf of Thailand) Langkawi is on the other side of the peninsula, all the way around Singapore. It’s a very long way by boat.......:)

RR
Yes 600nm each side..

guys are going down from Phuket all the time, ( pre covid anyway)

[Pulsare2400]

Years ago an inboard racer from Canada bought a new engine in the US, probably $10K at the time. Before coming bown he bought a junkyard Chevy and put it in his truck. Told Customs he was bringing the engine across for repairs, and it was coming back across. They asked for the serial number. He pointed to it cast into the engine (intake manifold). 18436572. Got to the engine shop, threw it in the junk pile and lut the new engine in the truck. Back to the border. Customs guard checked the serial number cast into the engine. 18436572. No problem. No tariff. :)
So you are saying that the custom officers did not know that was the firing order and those 8 digits are on many manifolds? After several times they would remember that the last few engines had the same serial number (firing order). I doubt that would work very often.

[Dave Strong]

So you are saying that the custom officers did not know that was the firing order and those 8 digits are on many manifolds? After several times they would remember that the last few engines had the same serial number (firing order). I doubt that would work very often.

Really? You must work for customs.:rolleyes:

Dave

[powerabout]

Really? You must work for customs.:rolleyes:

Dave
just tell them they must be chinese knock offs

[HStream1]

Just when i thought We (The customer and myself) had this Customs thing settled I receive this email from UPS. Yep I said UPS for all those that know how much I despise UPS. So I dropped fedex on this shipment refunded the customers shipping costs and he set up a UPS label and Customs Invoice. I attached the label and Customs invoice to the box in a Zip Loc Bag clearly marked in (RED Perma marker) Customs Docs Enclosed!!! UPS picks up package and BAM!!!

Now this. I swear Im beginning to wonder if any of the major shipping companies has employees with Intelligent Life form between the ears.:icon_bs::nonod::confused::rolleyes::mad::mad::mad:

([email protected])



Hello,

I am with UPS and I am working on clearing your shipment for customs, I am in need of a copy of the commercial invoice before we can prepare your shipment for export. Please note: A value is required for each item on the invoice, if the goods are of no commercial value, customs still requires this in order to be processed and released, and even a value of $1.00 will suffice. Also customs will not accept “SAMPLES” or “PART NUMBERS “as an adequate description. I have attached a copy of a blank invoice you can complete, if you do not have a copy of the invoice. Can you please provide me with this information? Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for your time and I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.


TRACKING NUMBER

1Z196TLC6820010211

<tbody>

<tbody>
Shipper:

196TLC


















</tbody>


<tbody>

Ship To:
SENNEN YAPP
ROOSTER TAIL PERFORMANCE OUTBOARDS
177 DENMARK ST.
MEAFORD ON N4L1C3
CANADA


</tbody>


</tbody>

[Dave Strong]

Funny how anything that I send to the US never has an issue clearing customs and no insane fees and taxes. But try and bring something into Canada, let the games begin. Makes a statement about where the problem is.

Dave

[99fxst99]

So you are saying that the custom officers did not know that was the firing order and those 8 digits are on many manifolds? After several times they would remember that the last few engines had the same serial number (firing order). I doubt that would work very often.

Didn't have to work but once.