UPS to Canada

[Riverman]

As most of us Canucks know, shipping UPS from the US to Canada can be an expensive proposition. UPS charges a "brokerage fee" to clear the shipment through customs, and sometimes it amounts to pile of money. My son recently imported a set of drums from California and he found a way around the fee. It goes like this:

- Get the tracking number from the sender immediately after shipment.

- Call the laocal UPS terminal and tell them you will be clearing the item through customs yourself. Ensure they understand what you are talking about. The UPS people here knew the drill.

- When the package arrives, UPS will call you to pick up the customs documents. Pick up the documents and drive to the customs office, there should be one close to the UPS terminal. Have the officer review and stamp the documents.

- Return to the terminal with the documents and pick up the package. You will still have to pay PST and GST, but it is worth the trouble. I think we saved about $100 on the drum set.

RM

[Burke Kilgour]

I know that brokerage can be a killer
I live close enough to the border (45 minutes one way)that I just drive down there to ship things out or pick them up. I fill up with some of that cheap US gas while I'm there too !!
Thats good to know though, thanks

[10.5' Tunnel]

Very good to know. I shipped DECALS that fit in a small poster tube and they charged me a $20 brokerage free. More then the item alone with purchase value and shipping added together

[350cavi]

Bought a omc trim pump off ebay that cost me $80 with shipping, ups guy comes to the door, "oh and there is a $80 customs fee".......that really pissed me off, I now know to always budget for the damn surecharge.

[Riverman]

Don't need to pay the fee. I know in a place like Toronto it is a big hassle as the terminal is probably huge. But I'd rather keep my cash.

[STV Dreamer]

PERFECT! a thread to vent . UPS blows big time. I've been in a battle with them for over 2 months now on a dispute regarding a shipment. A sponsor sent me a parcel that was CLEARLY marked on bill of lading as "Repair under warranty"....those theiving crooks at UPS charged me $240.

The driver was good enough to give me a number to call and complain. They wanted to see all the paperwork proving this was a warranty return. The paperwork was supplied and I'm still waiting for my refund to this day.

Well that felt good.....thanks!

[chris_lacey]

Or simply have your stuff shipped USPS. They do not charge brokerage when they hand off to Canada Post (or Purolator for express post). Just got a set of gaskets from Rick Racer a few weeks ago shipped this way. No brokerage.
They handle propellor sized stuff as well.

[1BadAction]

any problems with Canada to the US???

[chris_lacey]

I've shipped lots of parts, mostly props to the US and I've never had anyone comment on additional charges.

[1BadAction]

I've shipped lots of parts, mostly props to the US and I've never had anyone comment on additional charges.

kewl... so $110 dollars for 4 wheels from Quebec to Florida sound about right?

[chris_lacey]

A prop usually cost me around $20 to GA or FL, so $110 for 4 wheels doesn't seem out of the question.

[Riverman]

Or simply have your stuff shipped USPS.

Trouble is Chris, they have destroyed a couple of things for me lately. I think it is because their sorting process is more automated than UPS and parcels get bounced around more.

[chris_lacey]

Trouble is Chris, they have destroyed a couple of things for me lately.

I know UPS NEVER damages anything! I don't think we can get away from stuff being damaged in transit. I have had good luck with USPS. No damage. I have heard literally hundreds of UPS damage horror stories. Anyway, it's good to know that if a person has the time they can rip UPS off for the brokerage gouging.