Avoiding UPS/FedEx brokerage fees


I wrote previously about the extortionate “brokerage” fees charged by UPS and FedEx for imports into Canada. That post has attracted a huge volume of response from other enraged people.  I have learned more since then, including an interesting response direct from the Canada Border Services Agency.

If you contact UPS, they’ll tell you that you can indeed clear your package through customs yourself, but you have to do so at the customs office in the same town as the UPS depot where your shipment is being held.  For me, receiving shipments into Ontario, it would either be Fort Erie or Windsor. They can’t tell you in advance which it will be.  But either way, it’s a long drive.

One option that might be acceptable for some people is to use a shipping depot inside the US. You just have your package shipped to the depot. They’ll hold onto it for you until you come get it. Some of them, remailing services, will actually ship it on to you themselves, but then you may end up getting the same brokerage treatment again.

I was considering trying CBI Usa in Niagara Falls, NY. Their rates seem very reasonable, they’re easy to use, and I’ve seen mostly positive experiences reported on the web. But still, it’s a regrettable amount of driving.

I contacted Canada Border Services Agency by email to get their take on doing your own customs clearance:

I’m trying to find a way to import a package by UPS from the US. I refuse to pay their extortionate brokerage fee. I would sooner burn the money than gave it to those bastards (more colourful terms come to mind, but I’m trying to keep this polite.)

As I understand it, I have no choice but to deal with the Customs office in the town where they hold my package, which is going to be either Fort Erie or Windsor. I don’t know why that is, there’s a customs office at the KW airport 15 minutes drive from me, but there it is. But UPS can’t tell me which in advance which office the package would go through. I’d guess Windsor.

After I found out which of those two offices it was, would it be possible for me to complete the clearance process by phone, fax or Internet? It’s a simple process, right? I just give you the Harmonized Codes, you calculate what I owe, and I pay you, probably by credit card. No part of this strictly requires my physical presence. I can’t see any good reason why, in this day of high-speed Internet in every home, I can’t do this whole process in my pyjamas from the comfort of my bedroom.

If we can’t figure out a reasonable way to do this without uselessly converting another tank of fuel into greenhouse gases, then it just won’t happen. I’m not going to pay off those UPS criminals to do this trivial thing (and probably do it wrong) on my behalf. Or rather, it probably will happen, but it will happen by way of me driving to the US to pick up the package myself from a maildrop service. It’s actually a shorter drive to Niagara Falls, NY than to Fort Erie.

But it would be really damn stupid for me to have to do that. There has to be a better way. Tell me what it is.

When I said UPS would probably do the clearance wrong, I wasn’t kidding. My first ever experience with courier brokerage was some X-10 home-automation gear imported via FedEx. After I learned more about this stuff, I figured out that they had use the wrong Harmonized Codes for some of the gear. Because they basically had no idea what the stuff was, they were just looking for similar-sounding words. Fortunately, the codes they picked had the same (ie, zero) tariff rates, so I didn’t get burned that way.

CBSA’s first response to this email was unhelpful, merely referring me to web-pages about Licensed Customs Brokers, and Importing Non-Commercial Goods By Mail. Both of which I had already read, and which did not address the essential question: can I deal with customs at my local office, or by phone, fax, or email, and if not, why not?

After a long delay, I received a second rather more helpful response:

This is in response to your e-mail concerning the clearance of non-commercial goods imported by courier. It should be noted that your inquiry was originally forwarded to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Client Services in Windsor, Ontario, who attempted to contact you in person to discuss your concerns. Client Services was unable to reach you, thus requiring the preparation of a written reply, and hence the delay in responding.

In some instances, an individual who has imported goods by courier may wish to pay the duties and taxes owing for a shipment released under the Courier Program rather than using the accounting services of the courier or agent. Such shipments do not have to be accounted for at the office of release, but may be accounted for at any CBSA office. In situations such as these, the courier does not automatically release the shipment to the importer, but holds the goods until the importer presents satisfactory proof that the appropriate duties and taxes have been paid directly to the CBSA. In most cases, this would be a copy of the B15, Casual Goods Accounting Document. The importer is responsible for contacting the courier to make the necessary arrangements for this type of transaction.

It should be noted that every person who accounts for casual goods should provide, at the time of accounting and before the goods are released, a commercial invoice, current price list, bill of sale, or other similar document that describes the goods and contains enough information to enable an officer to determine the tariff classification and appraise the value for duty of the goods. In the case of courier shipments, the importer must also provide the unique shipment identifier number assigned by the courier to his or her particular shipment.

Payment of any applicable duties and taxes on casual importations can be made in cash, by money order, traveller’s cheque, bank draft, cheque, Visa, or MasterCard. Payment by debit card is also available at a number of sites.

Although the CBSA allows approved clients to transmit data electronically, this is not the case for casual, non-commercial importers such as you. Accounting for your goods must be done in person, and any monies owing must be paid at the time of accounting.

For additional information and/or clarification on accounting for casual importations, please contact Border Information Service (BIS) by telephone. You can access the BIS line free of charge throughout Canada by calling 1 800-461-9999. If you call during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time, Monday to Friday, except holidays), you can speak to an agent by pressing “0” at any time.

Thank you for contacting the CBSA.

Now that’s more like it! Straight from the horses mouth: UPS is full of shit. You can do your own customs clearance at your local customs office, you don’t have to drive to Windsor or Fort Erie!

Here’s a forum posting where a guy (“Drehkraft”) claims to have done it (“UPS REALLY hates this.”). He even used the same Kitchener airport terminal customs office I would use. I stopped by that customs office and asked them in person if I could do it, and they said it was no problem from their end.

That said, I haven’t yet actually done this myself. It remains to be seen if UPS will throw up arbitrary obstacles (“the B15 document must be faxed to us on yellow paper between 3:00am and 3:01am.”) But there is some homebrewing gear I’ve been planning to buy, hopefully I’ll get around to trying it soon.


331 responses to “Avoiding UPS/FedEx brokerage fees”

  1. I still say… use air/expedited service. Brokerage is included (for a certain number of items anyways — call to verify limits). It usually only costs about USD$40 for a smallish package (say, a camera or a lens) and you get your stuff the next day.

    -john.

  2. I too have used “expedited” – fortunately the sender was willing to help arrange for that – and was able to get UPS to send me stuff without a subsequent infuriating bill.

    But hey, GO YOU. I look forward to hearing whether you can manage the feat and how much less it costs you. I got my pompoms and confetti ready.

    Adam

  3. I tried this process – it was a nice try, but to no avail.

    Here’s how it went down and how they ultimately screwed me:

    1) I called the 800 number of the CBSA, basically confirming what this post said and obtaining the local number of the CBSA office in Peterborough. It’s all true!
    2) Called the Peterborough Office, who said that it could be done as long as I have my Bill of Lading, but that UPS would make it impossible.
    3) Called UPS and asked them how to do it. They said that I had to present myself in person to the location of entry (the UPS-owned bonded warehouses where they keep the stuff) in order to collect the paperwork to be stamped by customs (Bill of Lading). I asked them if they could fax it, mail it, or send it electronically to me. They basically stammered a lot and said that no, I had to be there in person, or they wouldn’t release the paperwork to me. A manager basically said the same thing, so unless there’s a way of extracting the Bill of Lading from them without having to be in person, there’s no way to clear it.

    My next step is to complain to my MP about this extortion.

  4. UPS is full of it and I am glad that I came across this site after much searching. Thanks for the great post, I know someone who might be able to help out a little further on getting around the UPS run around. I will post back if I get any more news.

    Dave

  5. I just was raped by UPS as well. This was my first time…I imported an old board game from the 1960’s that cost me about $20 + $30 in shipping, then I was also charged another $40 in “brokerage” fees by UPS. I was shocked! The UPS category says it’s “electronics other”…but this is an old crappy board game. There is not one electronic thing in there anywhere….it’s got wooden game pieces for crying out loud. Anyways, I was happy to find this site, and glad to see you are taking action. It certainly is criminal what they are doing. Un-effin-believable!

  6. Since I live on the west coastI have been using A & A Contract Customs Brokers Ltd in Surrey, BC. I just bought a couple of plexiglass specialty rulers from the US – total cost $70.00US. A & A are charging me $42.25 for Entry Preparation ($27.25) and Tariff Classification ($%15.00). What a rip off! I have another parcel coming this week worth $1100CDN. I can’t wait to see the brokerage bill for this one.

  7. I have just spent an entire day trying to figure out how to export my product into Canada and learn the brokerage fees, taxes etc up front so I can charge my customer for them and neither of us will have a shock in store for us later. Was this an easy thing to find out??
    I assure you NOT!
    I have a small manufacturing biz, I know my HS Code (call the US Census to confirm yours: 1.800.549.0595 x2), and I will be shipping packages less than $1600 CAD, so there are no duties/tariffs under NAFTA.

    Here is the UPS brokerage fee schedule:
    UPS Brokerage Fees to Canada: ( in CAD$) Minimum Fee: $5.85

    Under $20 $00.00
    $20 – 40 $17.96
    $40.01 – 100.00 $31.03
    $101 – 200 $41.06
    $200.01 – 350 $53.68
    $350.01 – 500 $59.03
    $500.01 – 750 $65.75
    $750.01 – 1000 $72.37
    $1000.01 – 1250 $79.03
    $1250 – 1600 $83.39

    —————————

    I tried unsuccessfully to get the same type of clarity from FedEx, and must have spoken to at least 10 or 15 of their “International Ground” representatives. One of them even told me that such a thing did exist, but that Management didn’t like to to be given out. Another told me she would send it, but it never, ever arrived. Altogether a very frustrating exercise, and you can be certain I will not be shipping Internationally with FedEx.

    All this being said, it seems to me that in this day and age there is a business opportunity here, acting as proxy and carting the goods to a central location in one of these larger cities, or something… it certainly is extortion the way it is now.

  8. Well, at last the person at FedEx who promised to send their Brokerage Fee schedule actually came through! so here it is, at last on the web! and you can compare the UPS brokerage fees to FedEx brokerage fees (put that in there for extra keyword searchability so it’s easier to find..) Here goes:

    Fed Ex Brokerage Fees to Canada as of Sept. 2008: ( in CAD$) Minimum Fee: $6.95
    Value Brokerage Fee
    Under $20 $00.00
    $20 – 40 $6.95
    $40.01 – 75.00 $19.00
    $75.00 – 100 $19.50
    $100.01 – 200 $28.50
    $200.01 – 350 $38.75
    $350.01 – 500 $43.75
    $500.01 – 750 $49.75
    $750.01 – 1000 $55.95
    $1000.01 – 1250 $61.25
    $1250 – 1600 $65.85
    $1600 – 5000 $68.75

    For each additional $1000, add $5.85.
    “In addition to other applicable customs clearance fees, there is a $20 Minimum Brokerage fee for the clearance of all FedEx Ground Manifested Shipments cleared through Canada Border Services Agency.”

  9. found a ‘ups canada rate and service guide’, effective jan.,5 2009, a download in a pdf form, under page 59, to avoid bond fees, call 1-800-pick-ups and ask about our prepayment or electronic funds transfer (eft) plans. on this site,
    “http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html”.
    i dont know if this is already mentioned above or is just another step in the circle of insanity, but i found this at 2am and i am 2 tired to go on, so… goodluck 2 anyone who wants to try

  10. This UPS scam goes on and on as a result of the government of Canada CRA requirements. UPS is just jumping on the opportunity. If Canada changed the system to allow quick clearance through the internet with a credit card all of these practices would cease. Of course it’s a pipe dream expecting that a Government agency would increase efficiency (and lower it’s manpower requirements).

  11. You can always appoint your own broker and any of these carriers will have to forward the documents to your broker by either fax or paperless system. In this case the clearance is done without your presence. Just find a broker that has fair charges. I am a Customs broker myself. We charge CAD 20.00 for a shipment valued less than CAD 1600.00. It just not worth it to do the work for less than that. For this amount we create a B3 Customs form for you, pay duty & tax and send you all the docs by e-mail. Have a look at the charges here: http://www.dilas.ca/html/brokerage_fees.html

  12. This is pathetic, I bought a Dwight Shrute bobble head from the NBC/Universal Store online. The cost of the item was $25 & change to ship to the U.S., and +$2 more for shipping into Canada. I took the Canada option and it’s all good I got my package within 3-4 days I was happy. On Friday (March 27) I got a letter from FedEx and it’s a remittence payment for $13+change for custom clearing fees on a $19USD item. WTF next time I’ll just go to an American P.O. box in P.Roberts, WA for this cause it’s the same in the terms of gas to go there an back and at least I can do other things there as well.

  13. My son and I ordered golf clubs thru e-bay…he paid ZERO brokers fees (Hamilton Airport)..I paid $46 in broker fees (Windsor)..makes NO SENSE!!!!!

  14. FedEx, in its 2009 Service Guide (p. 10, 174) says it now offers a “brokerage inclusive service” for FedEx Ground international to Canada:

    “CUSTOMS-CLEARED TO CANADA: For a simple, streamlined U.S.-to-Canada shipping solution, choose FedEx International Ground® service. Our new brokerage-inclusive service provides customs clearance when you ship, additional duty-and-tax payment options, and a money-back guarantee on transportation charges.1”

    I’m not sure but this service appears to remove all/most of the hidden fees????? Please correct me if I’m wrong, as I don’t want to find some obscene bill in the mail.

  15. The buggers charged me $62 for an item worth $80.00. That’s a 75% fee on top of what I already paid for shipping.

    Duty: $7.17
    Gst: $14.25
    Brokerage Fee: $39.10
    Brokerage Gst: $1.95
    Total Cod: $62.47

    I will never use UPS again, and I will tell all my friends the same.

  16. The easiest way to deal with this delivery extortion is to deal with USPS or Canada post. I have been burned too many times with UPS and Fedex. The postal service is much quicker I find, and they do have an on time guarantee too or money refunded(this has happened to me). The post office actually works as your brokerage. All I had to pay was basically the gst on any item that came to me. If you’re going to ship across the border, trust me, use these services.

    On another note, I would love to see a class action suite against these so called courier companies.

    Just remember to check the delivery service before you order anything. It will save you a lot of grief.

  17. I learned very quickly never to order anything shipped from the US. because of UPS’s extortion. For ebay, I sort everything by distance.

    If I have to order from the US, I insist on plain old postal service. If the vendor must use UPS I take my business elsewhere.

  18. I recently bought some aluminum from a US company. The cost was less than 20 Canadian dollars. They would only ship UPS, but since UPS does not charge a brokerage fee for items costing under $20 Can. I thought I was fine.

    When the package came to my door the UPS driver wanted brokerage fees. He referred to documentation with the package which said the item value was $25.

    I phoned UPS who said the seller would have to supply a revised waybill. The seller refused to do so, advising me to show UPS the Ebay order and Paypal receipt instead.

    At first UPS stuck to its line that only a revised waybill would suffice. It took 5 days of phone calls and emails before they agreed the Ebay and Paypal receipts were o.k. I went to the Toronto UPS depot, and they again said they needed the revised waybill. I persisted and they eventually released the shipment with no brokerage fee.

    Was it worth the hassle?

    I did learn UPS staff, for reasons unknown, do not always provide accurate information.

    I also learned that when I was a “broken record” about what I wanted, eventually UPS gave in.

    If enough people make UPS staff spend a lot of time dealing with an issue, it will become less profitable for UPS to misinform customers.

    Trying to clear customs yourself is a different issue than I had. But if you are trying this, UPS may mislead you. Stick to your guns.

    Grant

  19. Last year a fabric seller in California shipped me a bolt of linen. It arrived with a hefty ‘brokerage fee’ price tag! I refused to pay it and UPS ‘ate’ it. They called it a “courtesy”. I called Canada Border people (or was it Customs?). They told me they get many complaints about UPS doing this, that it is an ongoing chronic problem with Canadians ordering from USA and their items being shipped UPS. UPS told me that they have to be advised in advance, and in writing that customer will clear Customs himself, or words to that effect. But do they offer this as an option on the shipper’s form?

    Just recently, I ordered some herbs from another US company, SPECIFICALLY warning them of this potential problem, both verbally and in email. Same result. Product arrives with bill for customs brokerage over $53.

    Solution: I am going to join class action law suit. I have advised the shipper of problem. Let’s see if he can sort it out.

    Note: The US exporters seem to be unaware of UPS actions in Canada. I wonder if UPS is doing the same scam in other countries?

  20. I used to work in the transportation company of a major corporation in Canada. The cost for our low value clearance was only $5 (anything under $1600)

    That said, both UPS and Fedex are ripping off customers. What they charge makes no sense since anything under $1600 is cleared automatically by Customs. They should be charging a flat fee no more than $20.

  21. I recently ordered a pair of presciption glasses valued at $302.00. We were shocked when delivered bu UPS for an addition $53,??. The bill said it was duty, but with NAFRA I guestion that. Reading of all the other miserable experiences, I too will NEVER use this service again. Everyone else that we know will hear about it as well!!

  22. I just got my first little surprise from UPS – a bill of 23.37 for a package from the states, whose contents was worth 19.00 CAD. I noticed that anything under $20 should not be charged more than $5.95… Can I call UPS and ask them for my cheque back? I could always cancel the cheque tonight 🙂

  23. I ordered tools from the U.S.
    Due to my bad experience with UPS, I switched few years ago to US postal service.
    My past orders went well with us postal service. No ups brokerage fees.

    But this time things went bad:

    USPS web site:
    Your item is being processed by customs in CANADA. No further information is available for this item.

    My tools have been sitting somewhere since April 2009 and it is now June.

    Canada post says: they are waiting for customs canada to release my package.

    Customs Canada says: it’s in a Canada post building, it’s a canada post issue.

    The seller can’t refund me because the tools are not lost, they are stuck in customs who don’t want to look or do anything.

    They want us to do free trade but the government is so fucked up.
    Canada post and customs don’t communicate.

    Customs has just one phone number and say the package is in a Canada post building so it’s not their problem.

    No one wants to tell me where my package is.
    In what building. Who to call to sort this mess out.

    I just want the tools I bought so I can work.

    The canadian government is so useless and incompetant.

  24. I just had a run in with UPS as well. $29 fee on an $85 item. I refused the delivery and sent in complaints to them, the better business bureau, and let the company I ordered from that I they just lost a sale. I’ve also sent a letter, don’t just email you need to send a printed letter for an MP’s staff to actually notice it.

    I have a mind to send emails to other companies like Amazon and Ebay just to put it on their radar and maybe get them to add declaimers to their shipping section. Enough of this can eventually make a difference, it may take a long time but what else can we do?

  25. And the government is too stupid to see how the UPS brokerage fees are hindering free trade.

  26. I again was raped by UPS on my doorstep. I orderd some staff shirts from my sister, value of shirt were 285.00 U.S. They charged me $132.00 for brokergae fees. She sent the package before I could explain to her what UPS does.
    The seller is not aware of this fee, she is fighting with them there. They do not disclose this information at time of sending.
    I am letting everyone I know, not to use them.

  27. I’ve learned my lesson (unfortunately more than once) about how bad UPS customer service and fees are. I now insist on USPS. I find USPS to be excellent (surprise surprise). The post offices are now able to track packages which lessens the risk at both ends (“I sent it so how can you make a PayPal claim” etc.).

    My sons lives in DC. I now send him packages Parcel Post from Canada and they are trackable online. Very good service and cheaper than UPS. I’m telling everyone I know to avoid UPS. Even Fedex is better. I switched our corporate account recently to FedEx as well.

  28. Unfortunately, as I learned today, Fedex is doing this too.

    I just got a call from a Fedex contractor (someone who is not Fedex, but contracts to accept packages and deliver them to Fedex). Fedex is charging her an extra $40 on a package shipped from the U.S. to Alberta in MAY.

    Same thing – hidden brokerage fees. Before I shipped it, I checked the FedEx site and Canada customs and there should have been no fees on the item: used hiking boots, sold through MEC’s gear exchange, right around $100. FedEx first tried to stick it to the person who bought them, then told this contractor she would be charged the fee. She wanted me to pay it, but as much as I feel for her, this is extortion and I won’t give in to it.

    I second all the recommendations for USPS. Their rates are almost identical and they, at least (so far), are honest.

  29. If you have already been fucked by UPS, contact your credit card provider and chargeback the amount. Those bastards should not get away with this highway robbery of Canadians.

  30. Not only is this highway robbery of Canadians, it is of Americans as well.

    When I was a student couple years ago I started importing from the US not knowing a thing about the brokerage fees. UPS charged me so much that I just stopped purchasing online from US retailers for a long time before I found out how to avoid most charges with other (better) options.

    Also, if the cheapest shipping option always comes with the brokerage fees NOT included, in my opinion it amounts to FORCING your customers to opt for the most expensive shipping options out of fear of hidden fees.

  31. Holy c*** my order was just shipped out via ups and its over $600.00. What am I looking at in terms of fees?? Gosh…there is nothing I could do!!

  32. I order my business cards from the states because for the quality they are cheaper than any where I have found in Canada, even with the brokage fee. It’s rediculious though when a $35 order comes up, I have to give UPS their fee to process $2 in GST. BS I say. A brokerage company should offer a service for consumers as an alternative. Surprised Canada Customs hasn’t worked something like that out. They would make a killing.

  33. Are there always brokerage charges once the package has been processed by brokerage and customs? What determines whether or not there will be brokerage charges and how much they will actually cost?

  34. It is not just packages from the US going to CA getting the high brokerage fees. Our team ordered 5 outfits from a Canadian company. The company offered to wait till all 5 outfits were ready and ship them to one address to save us some shipping charges. All 5 families paid separatly for their outfits and their portion of the shipping charges. Each one of is paid about $150 for our portion. FedEx sent a bill a couple of months later for $200 for brokerage/customs fees for the package. Do not use FedEx! This package was sent via FedEx Overnight, and they still change the fees. The high fees are also happen when a package is shipped from Canada to the US

  35. Have to second the poster who said to use United States Postal Service. I think the processing fee is $5.

    I will not ship anything to Canada using UPS or Fedex. I paid $40 once for a $15 stuffed animal for my son.

    I work for CBSA, by the way, but in Windsor, so I know that you can come and pay in person and then go to the UPS office and get your goods released. The email you recieved from someone at the CBSA is correct, but the problem lies with UPS wanting you there in person. I imagine they make it difficult for you in order to continue getting revenues for this.

  36. I have beed raped tons of times by both UPS and FedEx. Of the two, UPS is by far the worst. I have imported lots of items from the US and have done the paperwork myself at Canada Border Services Commercial Import Center at the Border Crossing. I am telling you, it is not very much work to do this. That being said, It is no more work for UPS to classify an item and fill out the forms for a $50 item than $1000. The cost should not increase with the value of the item. It should be a simple flat rate. USPS and Canada Post can do it, Why can’t UPS? UPS needs to be held accountable for their questionable (criminal) activities. Perhaps its time for W5, 60 minutes or another Investigative News show to look into this and let North America know how they are being blatently ripped off. I am going to personally discuss this issue mith my MP the Hon. Peter MacKay. These money hungry parasites need to be taught a lesson. I am completely infuriated with UPS…

  37. I bought myself a nice jersey from a online soccer shop, and at the time this was my first time buying something online. Among the choices of shipping, I had to (idiotically) go for UPS International (forgot the exact name). The Jersey was 79.99 US dollars, and 20.00 shipping and handling. Usually no one is home during the morning and afternoon, and it took them 3 tries to finally deliver the item. Once the item is delivered guess what. I was charged $43.00 in brokerage. I will never use UPS again. its ridiculous!

    Use USPS from now on. Just keep it simple, pay the taxes and the service done.

  38. For small shipments always use USPS. They charge $8. Yup $8. I am a small business and I import goods all the time from 1000 – 30000 $’s a shipment. Customs isnt brain surgery but it can be daunting. There are lots of idiots wearing customs badges and those ones like to power trip. I have spent all day in the customs office to release a shipment. That said – its totally possible to do it with customs yourself. All they want is money. Unless you are importing something really suspicious they dont even look twice at the boxes. Its about money. UPS charges the highest brokerage fees of anyone I know. I just paid the jerks $80 for a 3 mintue phone call to release my goods. My US supplier used UPS against my wishes. USPS would have charged me $8 and would just do it – I wouldnt have to call them to release anything. Thow downside to USPS is they always put provincial taxes on business shipments which is wrong. Getting that $ back is impossible. So it can be a catch 22. Brokerage costs money. I have a broker – they charge less than UPS but not cheap either. Doing it myself is free but requires time. For personal shipments its a no brainer – USPS. I tell all my US shippers of small goods to avoid UPS at all costs. I has one supplier insist on UPS and told them fine – you pay the brokerage fees then. They didnt beleive that UPS would charge them to ship than charge 3X that to cross over the border. Well they got the bill 3 months later and learned. This is the problem, UPS markets aggresively to US business’s and US business’s have no idea what a raping they give at the border. Its criminal what UPS charges. THey will charge $50 for a $5 childs toy marked “gift”. USPS would charge zero in that case as gifts under $60 are free.

  39. I recently moved from the US to Canada. I have been living in the NY for eight years and had to ship my stuff via UPS- five boxes weighing over 80 pound each box valued at 200 to 500. UPS is holding my personal items in Lachine. Since it’s personal and a move back to Canada, there should not be any taxes. I spoke to the Border office and they mentioned that as long as I prove that I have been living in the US for eight years, then taxes will reimbursed. I am fuming with UPS, I paid for intl. doc preparation. The USP office in NYC never mentioned a brokerage fee or that I had to pay for delivery from customs to home. This is misleading customers and a nightmare service. Does anyone have any suggestions?

  40. Having been burned by UPS brokerage fees on a number of occasions, I’ve decided to try to take as much business away from UPS as I can. Many business in the states are not aware of the fees UPS imposes on their international customers. I always check web sites shipping carrier before placing an order, and if the carrier is not listed I will confirm with them through email who they go through. When I find that they only offer UPS as a shipping option, I’ve send them a very informative email about what we go through in result of their shipping through UPS. I explain that I would like to place an order with them (or continue business with them), however, at this time I will not due the frustration of receiving anything through UPS, and I explain in detail the experiences I have had and why I would would appreciate their changing carriers to USPS. In many cases I have had very positive responses, and they no longer ship through UPS to Canada. Instead they offer one or a number of USPS shipping options (which are generally more affordable as well). As I mentioned, many businesses are not aware of the extreme UPS brokerage fees we experience, and an email informing them of this situation really can go a long way 🙂

  41. UPS put me into shock a few weeks ago by making me pay an extra $60 fee at the door, for a LEGO Toy set.

    I had already paid the U.S. shipper of the toy $30 US funds for S/H from the United States, in our Ebay transaction.
    UPS then shows up with an extra, totally unexpected charge of $60 on a toy, a Christmas present for my 6-year-old. A charge that was unexpected by both the seller of the toy, and myself.

    The seller has contacted me since with extreme apologies for what UPS did to me (he was unaware of “brokerage fees”), and is refusing to use UPS again and do this to any of his future Canadian customers. I told him I’d had no problems at all with USPS international. This is the LAST time I ever have dealings with UPS, and I’m also spreading the word to everyone.

    I’ve also sent my support to the class action suit against UPS.

  42. I received a parcel from the US via FEDEX and it was the wrong item. I put the return sticker on it and marked returned item all over the commercial invoice they sent me. The very next day it was retunred. All the documents were missing and a big Yellow sticker with permanent glue was stuck on the shipping label. I called the vendor and they said to return it via Canada post and they would reimberse the postage. In the meantime I got a bill from FEDEX for 10.97. The item cost 27.99. I called FEDEX and talked to a lady with a very thick accent and she said it was the vendors fault for using “the wrong invoice”. That is my last experience with FEDEX. The Post Office is the only way to go cross-border.

  43. Very informative blog. I tried it cause the UPS Standard was $20 and USPS was $31. Hoping to save $11, I went with UPS…bad choice.

    There’s two port-of-entry for Ontario, Windsor and Fort Erie. Both are relatively far for Torontonians. I tried to clear the package myself but it came via Windsor and UPS insisted that I be there in person to clear it. A call to customs confirmed this.

    The CLVS (Courier Program) allows the importer to clear it themselves but from my experience, it’s only applicable for non-commercial shipments. And apparently eBay is considered commercial…

    Btw, the brokerage fees that Sarah posted in a reply is different from the one here . They’re charging the higher price of course. They might be updating that soon…

  44. Just to clarify, for everyone still confused about this stuff:

    The amount you pay in brokerage fees on a shipment IS NOT RANDOM. UPS and FedEx have a table with which they calculate brokerage fees (see several posts above).

    Not only that, but not ALL FedEx and UPS shipments incur brokerage fees. The only reason we think they do is because it’s only the most common method–plain ol’ ground shipping–that is socked with the brokerage fee, and guess which is the most commonly-used method of shipping? Yep–ground shipping.

    So, here’s the deal:

    UPS: All UPS shipping methods EXCEPT “UPS Standard to Canada” (which is a ground-shipping service) DO NOT charge brokerage fees. So UPS Worldwide Saver, UPS Worldwide Expedited, etc etc….the brokerage fees are included.

    FedEx: The only FedEx shipping method that charges brokerage fees is “FedEx International Ground”. “International Economy”, “International Priority”, and any other FedEx package shipping method has the brokerage fees included, and you will not have to pay them.

    US Postal Service: There are no brokerage fees associated with ANY US Postal Service/Canada Post shipping methods, INCLUDING ground shipping.

    Note that no matter whether you use FedEx, UPS, or USPS, you will ALWAYS have to pay GST/HST tax. That is tacked on regardless, no matter what method you use.

    The reason that the brokerage fees seem so exorbitant (“I ordered a $100 item and paid $70 in brokerage fees!”), is because you’re not just getting charged for the brokerage fees. That $70 in the above example is the brokerage fee PLUS the taxes, PLUS whatever other charges there are.

    That being said, yes, it’s a crime how UPS and FedEx do their best to hide these usurious “hidden charges”, and that’s why I try to use USPS whenever possible.

    Hopefully that clarifies things a little bit.

  45. I am with you. I have had this happen in the past where brokerage fees were 60% the cost of my item!!!
    I just orders a new laptop from Cali to Canada.
    I used UPS Worldwide Exp for $152.24 which includes brokerage fees. All I will pay when it arrives at my door will the the duty (5% GST) and a $50 to $10 Canadian Postal Fee.

  46. Both the Post offices of the USA (USPS) and Canada (Canada Post) seen to have the least (if any charges). The problem is that most sellers on E-Bay don’t want to use them. The services are quite good, although I don’t know what happens when something is damaged in shipment. Would there be a lot of bureaucratic “red tape”?

  47. I just called UPS Canada and they said the only way to ‘self-clear’ is by going to Windsor or Fort Erie. Even though I had just got off the phone with a CBSA lady who said I could pay at the CBSA office in Barrie and fax the B15 to the courier. I guess she was speaking generically about “couriers” and not specifically about UPS. The UPS rep very clearly explained that they did not permit ‘self clearing’ unless I was at the port of entry.

  48. If you’re in Kitchener, there’s a customs just off Courtland on Overland Dr. that’s even closer. Just go to the back of the building, it’s on the side nearest Courtland.

    🙂

  49. NO-GO-UPS
    GO-USPS
    OR
    MYUS.COM

    If I can’t use USPS then I use MYUS.COM
    HELL WILL FREEZE OVER before I go UPS ever!

  50. You think thats bad. UPS screwed over every Canadian getting a free upgrade for Vista back when it first came out. UPS was charging a brokerage fee for delivering the “free Upgrades”. The value of the shipment was wrtten out as $21 (products valued at less that $20 are exempt from brokeradge fees) $21 which was actually the price most canadians paid to ship the product.

    The actual value of the product for customs purposes was ZERO as it was already something they paid for in the original purchase of their computer.

    I called UPS and they said it was the fullfillment companies problem. That they had likely filled out the forms improperly….. for every Canadian receiving the free upgrade … I kinda doubt that. When I called Microsofts fullfilment company they told me they had filled out the documentation as directed by their UPS rep…. for every canadian receiveing the upgrade….

    I guess the commission on $2,000,000 of overcharged brokerage fees is pretty good.

    Now that windows 7 is shipping using the same method, it will be neet to see if they overcharge everyone again.

  51. Great page, but too late for me.

    I purchased an time valued $40 from ebay, and paid shipping $18 (by UPS).
    At the time of delivery UPS wanted to charge me $38.xx (close 100% of the value).
    I refuse to accept the delivery. The Item is now on way back to seller. Ebay seller told me he will refund me the purchase price ($40) but not the S&H ($18).
    So I lost $18 plus my time – but I did not bow to UPS extortion.

    I will be filling a complain with BBB (so should others)
    http://www.bbb.org/canada/

    But I guess to hurt UPS at the right place – we have to spread UPS brokerage fee scam/extortion to as many Canadians as possible so not everyone learn by mistake.

  52. Siskinds LLP (a London ON firm) filed a Statement of Claim against UPS in February, 2007, and were trying to get the action certified as a class action. The Certification hearing was scheduled for Spring 2009. I don’t have a more recent update; you may want to check it out:

    http://www.classaction.ca/content/actions/ups.asp.

    Quoting their website, the claim is “that UPS failed to obtain consumers’ consent to act as a customs broker; to disclose the existence and/or amount of the brokerage fee; and to provide consumers with the opportunity or disclose to them how to arrange for customs clearance by themselves.”

  53. I think they clear the package long before they’re at the border… Look : (Start from bottom to top)

    Package Progress:
    Location Date Local Time Activity

    LACHINE, QC CA Dec 3, 2009 6:17 AM IN TRANSIT TO

    SECAUCUS, NJ US Dec 3, 2009 6:12 AM DEPARTURE SCAN

    LACHINE, QC CA Dec 3, 2009 5:33 AM REGISTERED WITH CLEARING AGENCY. SHIPMENT RELEASE PENDING CLEARING AGENCY REVIEW / RELEASED BY CLEARING AGENCY. NOW IN-TRANSIT FOR DELIVERY

    LACHINE, QC CA Dec 3, 2009 5:33 AM REGISTERED WITH CLEARING AGENCY. SHIPMENT RELEASE PENDING CLEARING AGENCY REVIEW / SHIPMENT SUBMITTED TO CLEARING AGENCY, AWAITING FINAL RELEASE

    SECAUCUS, NJ US Dec 3, 2009 12:36 AM ARRIVAL SCAN

    FARMINGVILLE, NY US Dec 2, 2009 10:06 PM DEPARTURE SCAN

    LACHINE, QC CA Dec 2, 2009 8:55 PM PACKAGE DATA PROCESSED BY BROKERAGE. WAITING FOR CLEARANCE

    FARMINGVILLE, NY US Dec 2, 2009 6:59 PM ORIGIN SCAN

    US Dec 2, 2009 5:30:05 PM BILLING INFORMATION RECEIVED

  54. a week ago I bought a padded bag from ebay valued 21 USD and now I have to pay 57 USD brokerage fee…. is it a joke ? I’ll better lose 15 $ paid for delivery to Canada and get my money back from honest US seller. UPS sucks big time, will never use their services because they are crooks.

  55. Actually the shipping was cheaper with UPS this time :
    25lbs
    UPS : 40$ shipping + 30$ broker fee = 70$ (3-4days)
    USPS would have been : 67$ (up to 10 days)

    So 3$ more for a much faster service. It’s worth it!

    Of course, UPS also charged the sales tax, but if you’re a business its no big deal.

  56. The other frustrating thing is that UPS has a different fee structure for Americans than they do for Canadians:

    American fees:
    http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs/fees.html?srch_pos=1&srch_phr=brokerage+fees

    Canadian Fees:
    http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html?srch_pos=4&srch_phr=brokerage+fees

    Americans don’t start paying extra fees until the value reaches $200 USD. Canadians start to pay fees at $20 CAD.

  57. If your shipping/brokerage fee is approaching the purchase price of your item, contact the BBB with a well-written complaint and UPS will wipe away the brokerage fee.

    Well, they did for me at least. Those guys will do anything to keep their name off of the BBB list.

  58. I ordered a shirt off of the internet, and was not pleased when UPS came to my door and requested I pay $65.00 for brokerage. I have never had this happen with any other shipping company. UPS is a piece of trash, and they need to be held accountable.

  59. OMG, I’m waiting on a delivery from UPS for some Christmas gifts I bought off some sellers on EBay..
    Thing is, I paid S&H already…So why the heck would I have to pay a fee when he/she comes to my door? I wish I would have known about this sooner, I can’t turn stuff away. The stuff I bought, can’t be found in my little town unfortunately. I want to file a complaint but I don’t know where to go and/or how to start…:(

  60. I’ve had this happen couple of times with UPS. Sellers in the States don’t always give you other options than UPS or FedEx. Last month after the New York City Marathon I ordered a couple of finishers shirts which get mailed to you after the race. The teehsirt and Sweatshirt cost me $36 in brokerage (includes the GST because as we all know, a brokerage fee is a service). The UPS delivery guy hinself seemed embarrased to collect the money, and actually told me that I could avoid the fee by selecting a costlier delivery option like UPS airmail. That seems to jive with what is being said above, about ground shipping triggering the fee. In Victoria, BC, our option is also to have a package shipped to a local ferry service called the Victoria Clipper. Their Seattle terminal automatically brings the package to Victoria. This costs $20 but it’s a flat rate. It’s a bit of a pain because you have to go to the ferry and get the paperwork, then take it to Customs, then go back to the ferry to pick it up. But it sure can be worth it. Expecially if the US seller offers free shippng within the US.

  61. i got burned by UPS for the last time this week on this. I will never use them, or Fedex again (although Fedex hasn’t done it to me nearly as often as UPS).

    I joined this class action suit yesterday: http://www.classaction.ca/content/actions/ups.asp

    As e-commerce increases, these courier companies need to adapt the way they do business. These ransom fees are extortion. Does anyone know why they have escalating fees based on item value? Why should it be more costly (for UPS or the CBSA) to clear a $100 widget than a $200 widget? WTF?

  62. I managed to convince a pet supplier in the US to ship via USPS by offering to pay an additional amount for them to take it to a postal service instead of letting UPS pick up my parcel. Though that method doesn’t work with large companies, if you’re dealing with a small company just keep pleading and offering bribes and hopefully they’ll come around.

  63. Recently I purchased an item from US and shipped through UPS. I was charged $59 brokerage fee plus taxes. I vowed never to use this courier again. I think it would be cheaper to get the item in Canada.
    With UPS I emailed them prior to purchasing the item and I got the reply without mentioning that I have to pay extra for shipping through USPS. Upon making my purchase (committed) I was told I had to pay an extra US$39 if I want to ship through USPS. What a scam?

  64. Same story as the rest of you. I purchased some training DVDs from the USA and when they came to my door, there was an additional $65 charge applied to them. About $45 of this was brokerage fees.

    I told them to return to sender and called the sender advising that I would like them to send it USPS. They said it was a problem cause they would have to go TO the post office, instead of UPS COMING to them. But they agreed instead of refund my money.

    A subsequent call to UPS and I was informed that the best way is to choose anything but ground shipping and then the brokerage fees are included. But you need to be careful, because in some cases I was told it will be more expensive than ground + brokerage.

  65. I have a question, if doing for business, importing and exporting from hong kong or china to canada, I wants to know how it counts which means, related fee and what’s the official procedure and how to declare, ups/fedex etc….and quantity, what kind of products

  66. I got ripped off by FedEx a couple years ago. The brokerage fee was MORE than the thing cost! On top of that, the stupid FedEx delivery guy knocked lightly at a side door (not the obvious main front door) and waited approximately 2 seconds before getting in his truck and driving off. I ran down the driveway to get him, but he just floored it and left. Then, I was told I had to drive 35km to the nearest FedEx terminal to pick up my package. They were only open at times I was working. I had to take a day off just to get the damn thing.

    I now boycott FedEx and UPS. I urge all Canadians to do the same. These assholes need to be stopped.

  67. After reading the above I went to a website where I did want to purchase an item valued at $179.99 US. I contacted the company and they will only ship UPS which I won’t use. I got suckered once a few years ago. I thought I’d check the information given above and looked at having it shipped UPS Worldwide Expedited (no brokerage fees). Forget it.
    – Standard shipping by UPS – $47.48 +brokerage fees +tax + duty.
    – Worldwide Expedited by UPS – $181.02 +taxes +duty.

    BUT GOLLY GEE I WOULDN’T HAVE TO PAY THE BROKERAGE FEES.

  68. Okay.. Listen I bought a telescope which cost around 360 bucks from the states, shipping was 60.

    So the UPS moron comes and shows me my two packages in his truck (Mind you he literally tossed 3 packages out of the way to show me mine) but said I needed to pay 99 dollars for a brokerage fee…..

    So obviously I refused that shit, he didn’t seem too happy and told me I’ll never see the package again.

    So I called UPS and all I said was that I wasen’t paying for a brokerage fee simply because I was never contacted about that and I never gave UPS my consent to act on my behalf. So they canceled the brokerage fee and told me where i can pick up my package…. GUYS just call them and they’ll cancel the fee.

  69. So much for US customers being treated any better, and so much for UPS “pre-clearing” packages before they make it to the Canadian border: With *4 copies each* of 2 different customs documents in a clear bag on the outside of the box, (as instructed by the manufacturer,) declaring the value of the shipment as $100, signed by the manufacturer, and clearly stating that these were being returned for repair, my package has been sitting at a UPS depot in Richmond, BC for 5 days. We’ll see if they have the gall to collect a brokerage fee for this one. So far, it’s been in transit to Surrey, BC from Chicago for 11 days. Mind you this is an 8.8lb box of electronics, not a live Gorilla with Swine Flu carrying a bag of heroin. UPS has been great for my domestic shipments, (US), but they have burned with brokerage fees for imports from China, and now sending goods to CA. The worst brokerage fee I’ve been socked with was around $60, for around $5000 worth of goods, and the last couple were only $5. Non-postal alternatives are worse: Fedex ground will no longer let you insure a ground package for more than $100 (I guess they *know* they’re going to destroy it,) and DHL has closed 90% of their depots here, making their ground service for fulfilling air shipments worse than ever. (My last DHL order from China took 3 days to get to Chicago from Shenzhen, then 4 more days for them to deliver it to me in Chicago!) The moral: Shop local, trust the post office, or import “gifts”.

    The 11 day (and counting) adventure:
    RICHMOND, BC, CA 01/25/2010 2:59 A.M. REGISTERED WITH CLEARING AGENCY / SHIPMENT SUBMITTED TO CLEARING AGENCY
    01/25/2010 2:59 A.M. REGISTERED WITH CLEARING AGENCY / RELEASED BY CLR AGENCY. NOW IN-TRANSIT
    RICHMOND, BC, CA 01/20/2010 5:10 P.M. IMPORT SCAN
    01/20/2010 2:26 P.M. ARRIVAL SCAN
    01/20/2010 6:59 A.M. PACKAGE DATA PROCESSED BY BROKERAGE. WAITING FOR CLEARANCE
    REDMOND, WA, US 01/20/2010 5:01 A.M. DEPARTURE SCAN
    01/20/2010 1:41 A.M. ARRIVAL SCAN
    HODGKINS, IL, US 01/15/2010 10:30 A.M. DEPARTURE SCAN
    HODGKINS, IL, US 01/14/2010 9:15 P.M. ARRIVAL SCAN
    CHICAGO, IL, US 01/14/2010 8:30 P.M. DEPARTURE SCAN
    01/14/2010 7:05 P.M. ORIGIN SCAN
    01/14/2010 6:02 P.M. PICKUP SCAN
    US 01/14/2010 7:02 P.M. BILLING INFORMATION RECEIVED

  70. Thank you for this.

    I am in the midst of using this information to clear my own package. I will update on how it goes.

    UPS is a bunch of misleading bastards. I just got off of the phone with them and the conversation went as follows:

    Me: Hello I am calling to arrange to clear my own package through customs.

    Them: OK no problem. Just so you know you will have to come to the point of entry of the parcel which is in Winnipeg, MB (I live in Regina, SK)

    Me: I just got off the phone with CBSA and that isn’t true I can pay at any inland customs office and provide you with form B15.

    Them: Oh you are right since it hasn’t cleared customs yet. (This was an immediate answer – she didn’t even pretend to look it up)

    She flat out lied to me! She then confirmed my phone number and said they will call me when the package arrives at customs.

  71. I have a package that has cleared customs, well, technically twice. I have no idea how much I am going to pay in all these ridiculous fees. Really, the shipping should be included in the cost. And how convenient they don’t tell you that you are going to have to pay a fee, you just get to find out on your own. Its too bad I didn’t read this site before or else I would have called them before it cleared customs and just driven the 40min to save some money.

    I was looking forward to what I ordered, but now I am not so sure.
    This is my tracking:

    RICHMOND, BC, CA 01/02/2010 15:42 IMPORT SCAN
    01/02/2010 13:56 PACKAGE DATA PROCESSED BY BROKERAGE. WAITING FOR CLEARANCE / RECEIVER’S CUSTOMS BROKER HAS BEEN ASSIGNED. THE SHIPMENT IS NOW RELEASED TO MOVE IN TRANSIT
    01/02/2010 12:57 REGISTERED WITH CLEARING AGENCY / SHIPMENT SUBMITTED TO CLEARING AGENCY
    01/02/2010 12:57 REGISTERED WITH CLEARING AGENCY / RELEASED BY CLR AGENCY. NOW IN-TRANSIT
    RICHMOND, BC, CA 30/01/2010 13:32 ARRIVAL SCAN
    REDMOND, WA, US 30/01/2010 8:09 DEPARTURE SCAN
    30/01/2010 2:36 ARRIVAL SCAN
    HODGKINS, IL, US 27/01/2010 10:20 DEPARTURE SCAN
    RICHMOND, BC, CA 27/01/2010 3:35 PACKAGE DATA PROCESSED BY BROKERAGE. WAITING FOR CLEARANCE
    HODGKINS, IL, US 26/01/2010 11:25 ARRIVAL SCAN
    INDIANAPOLIS, IN, US 26/01/2010 8:19 DEPARTURE SCAN
    26/01/2010 7:08 ARRIVAL SCAN
    LEXINGTON, KY, US 26/01/2010 3:16 DEPARTURE SCAN
    LEXINGTON, KY, US 25/01/2010 22:42 ARRIVAL SCAN
    SOMERSET, KY, US 25/01/2010 21:06 DEPARTURE SCAN
    US 25/01/2010 13:18 BILLING INFORMATION RECEIVED

  72. Just got the notice today. I owe a whopping $71! Highway robbery. Seriously. What should I do? I am so pissed off right now. Btw, my order with shipping cost $174 CAD.

  73. I just called the BIS line to find out where my local CBSA office is and they told me ” you must clear the package at it’s point of entry, that way if the officer wants to inspect the package, he can.” So now I’m confused…

  74. It seems to me that the function of inspecting the package is separate from the function of collecting duties and taxes.

    If CBSA wants to inspect the package, they can do so while it remains in UPS’ care. That inspection need only verify that the contents are legal to import, and that they match what is listed on the manifest. They can do those things without you being there. At least in theory.

    There’s still no good reason why you can’t take care of the duties and taxes at your nearest CBSA office, using nothing but the manifest and your chequebook. No reason, that is, other than UPS’ deliberate obstruction to protect their cash-cow.

  75. I just got nailed with a $57 brokerage fee….for using UPS Canada Standard ($15)….had I chosen the UPS Worldwide (at $59) entry into Canada would have been free.

    Go figure… $72 vs $57

  76. My case is a bit different. My shipment was sent using three (3) tracking numbers (UPS Worldwide Expedited).

    1. I payed UPS $49.00 for the first (1) tracking number. Receiver asked if they have invoices for the 2nd and 3rd tracking when they arrived, but UPS said they’re already payed with the first (1) tracking number, so ok.

    2. After a week, UPS then sent me a NEW invoice which contains all items in the 3 tracking numbers + $45 brokerage fee.

    First off I shouldn’t be paying brokerage fees since they were sent expedited. Secondly, why the heck do I need to pay for the items in tracking number 1 twice? So I called UPS customer service, they asked me to send the commercial/import invoices, so I did. After another week I received a fax from UPS saying I wasn’t double billed and it’s not UPS’s fault. I called them again and the agent was as helpful as eating dirt, all he kept saying was that they did nothing wrong so they couldn’t help me unless I send them the commercial invoice (which I already sent/faxed a week ago). Round and round we go.

    The documents so clearly state the items and classifications and tracking numbers and UPS doesn’t want to correct it. In the fax they also stated that IF any corrections will be made then they will add another $15 for “processing”. M—-r F—–s! I know I need to pay around $150 for taxes/duties and I get that. I’m willing to pay that. But to add $45 + $15 just for THEIR own screw-ups? Is that justice? Is there any way for me to personally pay these duties/taxes directly to CBSA without paying those UPS A—–es their “fees”?

    Please note that I already have all my shipped items (worth around $1600 CAD). I just need to pay the duties/taxes for the items not included with UPS’s original invoice.

    Help.

  77. I love UPS. I have my suppliers write “No value-commercial samples for testing”…………thats all-no customs

  78. a ups deliverer guy showed up at my door and told me I have to pay $36 on my package that is valued at $40.
    needless to say it was not accepted.
    Now I know to verify who is shipping so I can avoid ups.

  79. For God sake, if you ever take the risk of having something come to Canada from the U.S. by UPS, be sure you make it clear with the seller and UPS that you don’t want it sent by air. The charges may be more than if you bought a ticket and flew there and back. The sellers in the U.S. don’t know about the fees we’re charged and may assume you want it sent my air. I can provide figures that UPS levied against me some 15 years ago. I can assure you they were even more exorbitant than any of the fees listed here. All I remember now is that the charges on a $300 order were in the hundreds of dollars. I will see if I can find it in my old files when I return to NL from BC in a week or so.

  80. In fairness I should have added that they refunded some of the charges later, but only because I did not receive the air shipment in the short time I was supposed to have.

  81. If I had known at the time that I would have no problem with the company giving me a refund. I would have refused the shipment at the door. I don’t know, though, if that would have freed me from later liability to pay some of the various charges that UPS had billed to me.

  82. I import/export regularily and find only Fedex have hidden fees.

    If you order something from the USA “UPS” there are no hidden fees. The Americans are clueless when it comes to fees into other countries. You as the consumer have had no contact with the courier so therefore are not hidden from fees.
    NOW With Fedex it is a whole different story. Fedex makes claims then we find out that their brokerage fees etc… are lower or non existant, it is all the other fees they blatently don’t tell you about that add up.

    Brokers cost money, they have a job that involves legal paperwork. It is our job as consumers to be aware of what is involved when purchasing out of the Country, the seller either won’t care or really has no clue.

    I am sorry I don’t side with many on the fees however you need to discuss that with the Canadian Gov, they are the ones who have all the hurdles that cost you money.

    When we ship into the USA the brokerage fee is small and the declared amount before a fee is incurred is $200 I think not $25.00 as it is coming into Canada.

    The Canadian low declared value before Brokerage fees is all about collecting the taxes, Canada protects Canadian businesses by detering Canadians from shopping outside Canada for often pennies in savings (although there are some great savings to be had as well)

    Canada Post is $5 brokerage for all packages (Unless the slip through customs)
    $10 for USPS Global Express (which BTW once it hits the border comes on the same mail truck as all your mail) so the added cost of Global Express is just that, added cost and no added value plus it costs $5 more the receive the package.

    Packages over $1600 require us to have a broker or we can go down to our local customs office and do it ourselves, simple to do, we do it often.

    UPS pays Canadian taxes on our behalf at a risk of never getting the money from us if we avoid paying them.
    They need to submit legal paperwork on our behalf and pay fees on our behalf, in return we pay them a fee for doing so.

    I am not for fees, I understand them and hope others so as well.

    C

  83. Khanna.

    That is all fine until your package disappears or the contents get broken.. the package won’t be insured.

    Also if you get caught, it might not have been worth any money you have saved in the past.

  84. Just FYI… I just spoke with CBSA regarding the email above and they categorically deny this is the case. The “official” rule is the package must be cleared at the point of entry.

    However, just like a speeding ticket, the office (or officer) may have used discretion and bent the rule. The gentleman I spoke with actually brought up the example of the KW/FtErie story (I wonder if it’s this same one?).

    So in my case, I have a package in Vancouver and I am in Toronto. I have no choice but to let it continue to be delivered to my home and then choose to either pay and fight the fee, or refuse payment and chase the vendor for a refund.

    Lesson – Don’t use UPS. Ever. 😉

  85. so, if the sellers offers USPS Priority Mail International, is it for sure thee will be no surprises?
    Thanks!

  86. Fedex will allow you to clear your package your nearest custom office. They just fax you the paper works to take to customs for clearance then you bring the paper work stamp by CBSA to them an claim your package.

  87. Lilia – to answer your question, I have imported car oarts probably 150 times in the last 10 years (mostly from Ebay) and never once have I paid more than GST on a USPS shipped item. If shipped UPS or Fedex (ground) you will pay customs. Guaranteed.

  88. saw this site that calculates brokerage fee from UPS, FedEx and USPS. Not sure if the calculations are correct.. can someone verify.

  89. heres what the main article at the top says.

    FedEx: The only FedEx shipping method that charges brokerage fees is “FedEx International Ground”. “International Economy”, “International Priority”, and any other FedEx package shipping method has the brokerage fees included, and you will not have to pay them.

    so if i tell the seller to send the product i buy off him as a international next flight or direct-distribution, i wont have to pay ridiculous prices once i recieve the shipment right? the courier fees are included?

  90. The customer officer wants to see the package, so you do have to goto the depot where the package is held. You can declare the package your self, but in order access the value and to inspect it.

  91. UPS is HORRIBLE! I once ordered a $10 book from the U.S. and was charged $40 in “handling fees” from UPS. I have no problem paying the taxes or duty owed – but on a $10 item – that does not amount to $40!! It is highway robbery.

    Now, I only have items shipped via USPS. I *never* pay outlandish handling fees – only the taxes owed plus $5. Simple and painless.

    I hate, hate, hate the UPS.

    Thank you for spreading the word. Hopefully more Canadians will realize they have other options.

  92. I agree…I really hate UPS more than ever with a passion. If I can I try to avoid using them, but in some cases US sellers seem set on shipping with them. Just today I received a parcel marked as a gift,declared at 250 and the brokerage fee was 80 friggin bucks. I actually ended up paying the seller 75 US for the shipping and asked what service within UPS that would buy me..I know full well that 75 will buy me express..or a service that would have paid the brokerage up front..but the fool sent it standard and I had to pay the additional 80 to receive.This was the first time my money towards shipping was held hostage by a seller (feebay)..to do as they pleased as far as picking the cheapest method and to pad their pockets with some extra cash. So another lesson I learned from this is to not put your faith in a seller to do the right and legit thing when overpaying upfront for shipping..when assuming to get either an upgraded shipping option through UPSor a refund of the overcharge when the cheapest option was payed for.I got the point that this seller felt as if he was going above and beyond allowing myself..a Canadian buyer to buy his item. Damn…some people and UPS brokerage…U can suck it!!

  93. ups is the best. if i had my way, they would be the only delivery service. on time, very cheap rates. they are the very best.
    Al

    • maybe you have spent to much time in alcatraz al because they suck….have you read any of the hundreds of comments people have made

    • what a rip off. payed double for a sixty dollar item just to get it here,thats brokerage fees plus tax,bond fees plus tax,COD fees plus tax in addition to the freight.This was the first time using UPS and the last.All these fees are UPS charges

  94. Anyone have any ideas on what I should do next, they seemed to have thrown up a roadblock that I don’t really know how to get around.

    Dear Gino,

    Thank you for your response.

    We cannot facilitate the request for customers to clear their shipments at any other location than our Canadian ports of entry. In other words, we cannot transport a shipment and / or paperwork to a customer in Calgary, when their shipment is importing through our Winnipeg port of entry, for the following reasons:

    Even though UPS is a bonded carrier, we restrict in-bond movements to the first point of arrival. (One of our UPS Canadian ports of entry.)

    UPS provides carrier and brokerage services – not in-bond transportation services as the cost associated with the service usually becomes more than the freight and brokerage fees combined.

    The process to fax paperwork to an alternate customs office, allowing a customer to clear their shipment at a location other than one of our UPS Canadian port of entry, is not feasible, practical or cost effective for both UPS and our customers for these following reasons:

    Additional fees associated with this type of service are generally beyond what customers are willing to pay. (Service fees, administrative costs etc.)

    There would be substantial delays in the clearance of shipments involved with this service.

    The self-clearance process requires the customer to have a working knowledge of Canada Customs’ practices and procedures including the completion of a B3 – Canada Customs Coding form, HS classification regulations – not to mention the time associated with completing all the steps required.

    Ultimately, it would be at the discretion of Canada Customs of whether or not they would provide a stamped release to the customer. There could be instances where a licensed broker would be required.

    I sincerely apologize that I am unable to assist you further at this time.

    Please contact us if you need any additional assistance.

  95. UPS sucks. I just received a gift from US, my friend put value of 100 USD, I end up paying almost CAD50. Over $40 is UPS brokerage fee. Go through post office will be much better. Never use UPS!

  96. I have approx. $1000.00 of kitchen cabinets that I would like shipped from OHIO to Ontarion and suggestions regarding a carrier

  97. I have approx. $1000.00 of kitchen cabinets that I would like shipped from OHIO to Ontario any suggestions regarding a carrier

  98. UPS tried to gouge me with a very high brokerage fee. I told them to send it back, and what, would it cost them to do so. I also asked what would happen to the brokerage fee on the return trip and was told that it would be voided. They would not reroute to a friend in the US. I told them send it to UPS Buffalo and mail it. No they would not. So I told them to stuff it. Keep them on the phone long enough and they will relent. This is now the fourth time that I enjoyed a waiver (3 of 4 times) or reduction (this time to half the brokerage fee), each time was told by UPS customer service that it was a one-time consideration. Argue with the pr%!#ks.

    Where I have a choice, I use the USPS — be sure that you tell the shipper to use the US POSTAL service otherwise, if the line is bad or they are on autopilot it goes UPS not USPS. At the post office, I pay the tax, and take home the package. Nice.

  99. I have started telling us sellers to send USPS or we wont do business, they usually do. Yesterday one seller sent UPS despite promissing to send USPS, so I rejected the UPS package and sent it back for a full refund.

  100. FUCK YOU UPS!!

    I was charged $80 for a $200 item.

    Never again. From now on I will tell seller to ship USPS or I won’t accept package.

  101. UPS IS REALLY BUNCH OF THIEFS – AVOID THEM

    I ordered an item from USA to Canada with ebay
    Price item: 155 $
    I also paid 18 $ for shipping

    When i received item, I also need to pay Brokerage C.O.D. due: 62 $

  102. I to agree with all of you,UPS charged me $30.00 brokerage fee on a $70.00 item, my total fee was $56.00.I Layed into thier brokerage department.I wrote the UPS guy two checks one for my taxes and duty, and one for the brokerage fee. I have stop payment on the brokerage fee check, I already told UPS thats what I was doing. The girl who works there was trying to tell me repeatidly that the brokerage fee is seperate to the shipping costs,I was so mad I screamed at her saying you can call it what you want and put bows on it ITS STILL A SHIPPING FEE you did nothing but bring the package to me.I cant believe after having so many complaints and angry Canadians why has no one taken them to court for fraud.They collect money from the shipper than collect money from the shipee there has to be a law about it.I know for a fact Cashloans has a class action suit going on for the exact same thing ,the money that is borrowd from them is way more than taxes on a $70.00 item. UPS will be brought to their knees I will not let this go lets get them CANADA!!!!!! And I don’t mean write a letter ,let them feel the pain through their wallets LOL!! .

  103. I’m an Canadian ex-pat in the UK. I ordered about 100 dollars of clothes from the states plus 30 dollars to ship it. They only asked for 10 pounds but that is still more than 10 percent. I paid the customs portion and no more. They have sent me loads of letters telling me I owe them and that they will try to collect the debt owed to them. I haven’t heard anything for ages though so I assume they can’t do anything if you don’t pay.

  104. The LEAST EXPENSIVE SOLUTION:

    One: You’re not going to get around paying taxes to the Canadian government. If materials ship are manufactured goods originating within NAFTA countries they are exempt from duties. You still pay GST and PST. If say the same item comes from Germany you may pay 30% Duty, plus your GST and applicable PST.

    Two: The brokerage “fee”. This is where the courier makes their gravy. They pay out the duties if applicable and taxes, then charge you threw the nose for providing this service.

    Three: How to avoid paying Large brokerage fee, remember the taxes and duties you are going to pay, the difference is $5 for the privilege or $50 on top of the duties and taxes. Simple: Have your sender ship it by their local mail service, i.e. US Postal Service, Deutch Post, whatever. Usually cheaper than a courier for the same level of service and because of International Postal Agreements, it comes in and is cleared through by CBSA at a Canada Post center. They charge a flat fee, like $5 or $8 for this, the taxes and duties you still pay, but not the $20 to $30 fees I’ve paid with the courier companies. The courier companies in some case ship through Canada Post to clear the customs and back into their system. Cut out the middle man. Besides your “taxes” have already paid for CBSA, why pay twice? Go Postal! Seriously…

  105. CANADIANS, LET’S VETO UPS! Seriously, the only way to defeat a large, money-hungry company like this is to take away the money. DO NOT order USP, PLEEEASE. We are all clearly fed up and angry so let’s band together and refuse companies that only offer UPS service. It sucks for the nice US companies who don’t know about the exorbitant brokerage fees and it sucks for us potentially missing out on a product but something must be done here! NO UPS FOR CANADIANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  106. If you have a CBSA office reasonable close to you, than you can pay the duties and taxes your self and avoid the brokerage fee. Here is how:

    A courier need your permission to represent you as a broker. The authority for this is found in D1-6-1 http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/d…d1-6-1-eng.pdf

    “4. Any person who proposes to transact business with CBSA as the agent of another person is responsible for ensuring that the proper authority has been granted. The written authority is often referred to as an agency agreement or a power of attorney.”

    This means of course you always have the right to clear your goods yourself or using any broker you want. Generally couriers get permission to act as your broker when you sign for the goods, in fact the LVS (low value shipment) regulations specifically allow for them to do this, however they also give you the right to decline to use them.

    Now I should mention the information I am referencing for this post is only LVS courier casual goods. That means the goods have to be valued at under $1600 Canadian and not be controlled, prohibited or regulated by an act of Parliament. To qualify as Casual the goods have to be for the personal use of an individual and not be commercial goods.

    We find the regulations for LVS courier goods in D 17-4-0

    http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/d…17-4-0-eng.pdf

    “1. The Courier Low Value Shipment (LVS) Program streamlines the reporting, release and accounting procedures for certain goods imported by courier. Couriers authorized by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to participate in the program may have qualifying goods released by presenting a cargo/release list to the CBSA. To qualify under this program the goods must:
    (a) be valued at less than CAN$1,600; and
    (b) not be controlled, prohibited or regulated by an Act of Parliament”

    So what does LVS mean?

    from D17-4-0 again

    “11. The cargo/release list for authorized participants of the Courier LVS Program is to be used in place of individual cargo control and release documents for goods valued under CAN$1,600. The list must be presented to the CBSA by the courier before or as soon as the shipments arrive in Canada. It must contain a concise description of the LVS qualifying goods so that the border services officer can determine the admissibility of the goods.”

    So the courier gives customs information on the goods they are bringing in to Canada.

    Next if the goods are not being released at the office they enter Canada at they can move inbond to the office of release. This is important to note because UPS will often argue that the goods have to be released at the office of arrival but this is not true and we know it is not true because the LVS regulations tell us so.

    Again from D-17-4-0

    “16. When Courier LVS goods arrive in Canada at an office other than the office of release, the in-bond movement of the shipments to the office of release is permitted, provided that the entire container or load is moved inland.”

    So the courier following these regulations moves your LVS parcel in bond eventually to a distribution centre near the importer. At this point the goods have not been accounted for, that is no duties and taxes have been paid yet, and the courier can not release them to the importer until they have.

    So now the goods are in the UPS warehouse near your house and they bring them to your door. Lets see what the D 17-4-0 says about what happens next.

    “Release and Accounting
    54. Once the CBSA releases the casual goods, the courier delivers the shipment to the importer. The duties and taxes owing are paid by the importer to the courier. Afterwards, the courier or its agent accounts for the goods on an “F” type entry which is presented to the CBSA before the 24th day of the next month, with the duties and taxes payable by the end of that month.”

    Ah so you pay the courier your duties and taxes (and brokerage fee), receive your goods and then the courier goes ahead and acts as your broker and pays the duties and taxes with an F type entry the next month.

    So what happens if you decide you don’t want to pay the duties and taxes and brokerage fee to the courier? Surely the regulations state that the goods have to go back to the office of arrival right? and you have to pay the duties and taxes at that office right?That’s what UPS told my friend. Wrong.

    D 17-4-0

    “56. If an importer wishes to account for the goods himself or herself, the courier does not release the shipment to the importer but holds the goods until the importer presents satisfactory proof that the appropriate duties and taxes have been paid directly to the CBSA. The importer must note the unique shipment identifier number and contact the courier to determine where the goods are held in a bonded warehouse until the release is effected.”

    So the courier hangs on to the goods which are still in-bond at their warehouse. The courier must provide the importer with information as to where the goods are, what the unique shipment identifier number is (they would have provided this to customs earlier as part of the cargo/release list noted in section 11). Now you the importer can take that information along with a bill or invoice from the shipper to your nearest customs office and get a B15 done for free. Customs will do all the work. Take that back to UPS and then as noted in section 56 of D17-4-0 they must release the goods to you.

    —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

    Now simply put if a courier, say UPS, arrives at your door and you refuse to pay the duties and taxes, you want to do this:

    Ask them where the goods are going now, which will be the nearby warehouse. (they may threaten to take them back to the border warehouse but this does not make sense from a economical sense on their part, is not supported by the LVS regulations and even if they do you can still clear your goods at the office closest to you)

    Next ask for the unique shipment identifier number.

    Print out a copy of the invoice from the shipper (most online shippers email this to you if not request a copy after you place your order)

    Take these three pieces of information with you to your nearest CBSA office and ask for a B15.

    Return to UPS with your B15, which will show you paid your duties and taxes and receive your goods.

    If they give you any kind of hassle print out a copy of D 17-4-0 to support your right to clear the goods yourself and show that the goods do not have to be accounted for at the border entry office.

    Armed with this information my friend was able to get a number from UPS that he brought to customs and was able to get UPS to accept a B15 and release his goods.

    Hope folks that are forced to use a courier find this useful. Knowledge is power. By the way all the customs regulations can be found on the CBSA website at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/menu-eng.html

  107. UPS charged me a $35 “brokerage fee” on a $45 item. The total cost of shipping + brokerage fees was 130% the actual value of the item. WTF?

  108. I’ve only used UPS once for cross border shipping and it was pretty epic fail. Charged a $60 broker fee for a $150 gift. Since then, I only ask for USPS between US and Canada shipments to avoid any fees depending on the value thresholds (20/60 with ‘gift’ marked)

  109. Thank you for this post and the post on LVSinfo. It has saved me money and (hopefully) will result in my package being delivered tomorrow. With the above info in front of me I managed to have the $33 brokerage fee (on a $40 DVD + $15 shipping) waived (just this one time, they said).

    My conversation was almost verbatim what is posted above, though I had the additional barrier that the customer service rep continually said she was sorry but she didn’t have a unique identifier for the package, only a tracking number. I tried to argue that if it was imported, there HAD to be a unique identifier number assigned by customs. I eventually asked for her supervisor and am going to pay a mere $2.04 in taxes when they redeliver. I am holding my breath that all’s well that ends well…

    Thank you again for this info –I wouldn’t have had a clue what to do.

  110. I have cochlear implants, for artifical hearing I sent my processors to Ontario to be repaired and calibrated using Fed Ex. I was told there might be a charge at customs but not about the brokerage fee or document. Got the broker’s document to FedEx Toronto to take care of customs. These are prothetic devices for hearing – medical equipment. I put a value on them of $8,000.00 – $4,000.00 each. Do they charge me a type of sales tax? They were shipped Temporary Import.
    Does anyone have any ideal how much my fees will be?
    I shipped priority and my next day delivery has so far taken 4 days to be delivered. Any guess on once they are repaired how long it will take for them to be shipped back to me – I enclosed return box, airbill with FedEx acct. number along with commerical invoice.

  111. uuh – i should have checked the web before ordering some lights in the us for my canadian summer home. nearly 400 dollars brokerage fee for 1000 dollar items and at least ups did everything wrong at the customs as they declared a too high value.

    f*** UPS – do not use UPS. UPS is highway robbery par excellance.

  112. Another options for larger items is to use a company like A&A customer brokers. They will still charge you, but they have rates that are much more reasonable than Fedex and UPS.

  113. Another story from hell: product is made in Canada!, but it is shipped from US (long story)… anyway, for a US$160 product (and with free shipping), brokerage fees + HST = $57.76. I missed to ask for USPS shipping as it is usually shipped from canadian warehouse.
    Anyway, following the excellent advice from “LVSinfo” I phoned UPS. It took me 25 minutes of arguing over the phone as they kept saying that it has to go back to Ft. Erie and that I can not clear it anywhere else but there. I have asked the lady who was apparently in “brokerage” business for a long time if she had a copy of D 17-4-0 so we can go through it together while on the phone but she did not have it in fron of her. Anyway, as I was not going to pay them brokerage fees as I have never authorized UPS to act as my broker to which even she agreed, finaly I told her to send it back to Ft. Erie and I will pick it up there with my B15. Oh, she did not know what “unique shipment identifier number” was, so I was going to use tracking number for that anyway and get my B15 at Pearson….
    So this is when she told me that “this time only” UPS will waive brokerage fees and charge me only GST+PST…
    So I said this is LAST time I used UPS ever, so there will never be another chance for them to do that…..

  114. I had no experience with UPS system.
    I bought item of app.$1000 on ebay from US seller, and today I got the delivery notice that I need to pay $208.99 for brokerage fee. I can’t believe!!! Now I have no option, but pay the fee to get my package. I hate UPS! This is why it was so hard to find US seller who is willing to ship the item to Canada.

  115. I had no experience with UPS system.
    I bought item of app.$1000 on ebay from US seller, and today I got the delivery notice that I need to pay $208.99 for brokerage fee. I can’t believe!!! Now I have no option, but pay the fee to get my package. I hate UPS! This is why it was so hard to find US seller who is willing to ship the item to Canada.

  116. UPS markets themselves very aggresively to Americans. Therefore many American companies use UPS exclusively. I find US companies do not understand global trade very well. UPS always tells them the complaints they are get are “duty”. We all know this is BS. Canadians have not paid duty on American products since 1992 when the Free Trade Ageement came in. UPS loves to charge huge brokerage fees and file them as “duty” on the invoice.

    I will not shop with anyone who ships UPS. That simple. One company I deal with insisted on it for a large wholesale order once. UPS delivered it without issue. Strage. Then they charged a “duty” of $300 to the shipper. He checked the box saying he was responsible thinking this meant for the shipping fees. The fake duty was just that – fake. I have a dedicated broker and all my info was on the shipment. So that US merchant learned the hard way and finally gets it. Its not us Canadians or “duty” – its UPS being lying scumbags.

  117. Similar to Fedex International Economy / Priority, the UPS Worldwide Expedited or Worldwide Saver does not charge additional brokerage fee because it is included in the price. The final cost of shipping using these 2 service should be a lot lower than using UPS Standard, which has the brokerage fee and handling fee tagged onto at a later stage. But then of course if the retailer can ship via USPS I will use that instead – only CAD$5 handling fee + taxes, nothing can beat that.

  118. I bought items from New York sent to British columbia. Value of items $55.00. Shipping $27.00, at the door brokers fees $36.00 total $63.00. Yeah I got ripped off. I will never order again if UPS is invloved.

  119. I had the same experience all of you have had – paying $35 brokerage for a $50 package. ONCE. Then I learned that you can “just say no” and refuse the UPS package, go to customs to get the forms etc., and clear it yourself. Ugh. It’s amazing they still stay in business. I won’t buy from an ebay seller who “only” ships UPS, and I tell them why.

  120. Hi,

    very interesting article. I use to ship via USPS until recently when I found out that UPS lowered their cost to ship to Canada. Thus, for the same price as USPS, I decided to go with UPS. It was the WORST decision of the year. UPS were not honest, they allowed me to send the package for cheap, however, they have UNREASONABLE and ridiculously expensive brokerage fees. I will never never never ship a package international using UPS. UPS brokerage fees are a robbery. UPS is not honest and I will never never never use them.

  121. LVSinfo is right on the money. I’m a customs officer. stand your ground people. If you want to self clear and save yourself the brokerage fees…or send by regular mail if you can wait and pay the $5 canada post service charge.
    Check out my Customs info blog. http://www.canadacustomsinfo.com
    Cheers

  122. If you refuse a UPS/Fedex package, how does that register with delivery confirmation with ebay/paypal?

  123. As far as I know FedEx allow u to run your own clearence, alsto customs office right across from FedEx wear hous in Ottawa.

  124. My Aunt sent me a package of bathing suits and slippers that cost $55.00 at Target. When the UPS guy came at my door today, he told me it’s a COD and that I had to pay $90.27!!! I told him the item(s) were gifts and the amount I needed to pay cost almost half of what the items cost—ridiculous!
    I declined to receive the items and he left with the package. Didn’t even give me any info as to what I should do next. I called UPS (800 number) and was routed to their International Agent who told me that she couldn’t track where my shipment would be going now (since I don’t have a tracking number). She told me that the package will be held by UPS until they get a hold of the shipper (my Aunt). They will get instructions from her about what to do with the shipment, whether to send it back to the US (her address)—anf get this: THERE IS A RETURN SHIPPING FEE AND A FEE FOR HOLDING THE PACKAGE!!!
    What a nightmare!
    Tomorrow, I will contact my Aunt to get the tracking number and follow your advice here guys. Hopefully, I can clear the items myself and get rid of that ridiculous UPS fees. Wish me luck!
    P.S.
    I don’t know how UPS does their calculations as to the amount of fees…one person who wrote here a comment sais that she was sent a gift worth $100 and was charged $40 fee…how can UPS explain my fee of $90.27 for a $55.00 value????

  125. UPS brokerage fees for imports to Canada can be found here:

    http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html

    You will note that if the shipper uses anything BUT the Standard service, the brokerage fees are FREE. The extra service shipping is as little as $12.

    I just paid $73 brokerage because the shipper did not pay the $12. Now, to be fair… some of the shipping quotes given through local outlets can be outrageously wrong and full options and benefits are apparently not always discussed with the customer.

    My last shipper from the US had a FedEx office tell him $300 plus for a musical keyboard in a case… the online quote was $120, give or take $20. Fed Ex also covers brokerage when you use anything but the standard shipping.

    So basically, tell your shipper to use the next level up of shipping and even offer to pay that extra $15 or so. (for relevant valuations of course… my keybaord was $1100 US).

    Both companies have good online quoting tools:

    UPS: https://wwwapps.ups.com/ctc/request?loc=en_CA&WT.svl=SubNav

    FedEx: http://www.fedex.com/ratefinder/home?cc=CA&language=en&locId=express

  126. If I have ever read your column before, I could have avoided paying $40 for the $20 art supplies. Please post more options. I expect to receive a gift around November from the States and I really do not want to pay $40 again

  127. I used to get nailed with exorbitant shipping fees all the time with my small online business. This could have saved me untold amounts of cash in the past haha. Listen to this guy folks.

  128. Now I know too! Thank you- $40 brokerage on ONE text book? What can “Brown” do for me?… I dare not answer.

  129. I needed a ballast for a otte lite not available in canada or that i could find..I contacted otte in Florida this item was $19.00 and change after shipping charges and the surprise broakerage fee i ended up paying just under $70.00 for the item … tell me something isnt wrong

  130. Bought an item on ebay for $50

    plus paid the following:
    shipping charge= $25
    customs duty and taxes = $14.38
    FedEx charges: $10 advancement fee + $25.82 assessment charge

    shipping, taxes and charges cost 150% of item price.

    Not cool!

  131. I wish I would have stumbled on this site a few days ago. I just got changed a $43 brokerage charge from UPS for a $70 item. UPS is a bunch of criminals. Never again!

  132. The sure fire way to get around brokerage fees on imports from the United States is to have the shipper, ship the item via USPS. If it’s ebay and the seller doesn’t want to ship using USPS… then you’re out of luck.

  133. What a wonderful bit of advice. I hate UPS with a passion for all the times they have robbed me. I am expecting a parcel very shortly and am going to give this a try.

  134. There were several successful self clearance cases in the last days. Looks like UPS starts to follow official procedures recommended by CBSA in official replies. The list of documents needed from UPS is:
    – Courier’s name: UPS
    – Unique shipment identifier number: UPS must provide
    – Shipment’s invoice: UPS must provide
    – Place where the package is being held
    And that’s it! Take it to your local CBSA, pay taxes and get B15 back. Here are details of recent self clearance and some advices in comments as well:

    http://trueler.com/2010/09/13/ups-brokerage-fees-total-scam-fraud-cheating-avoid-it/

  135. I HAVE JUST RECEIVED A PARCEL BY UPS. PARCEL VALUED AT $143.00. THEY EXTORTED ME FOR BROKERAGE FEES OF $44.00. HOW CAN THE CANADIAN BORDER SERVICES AGENCY ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN. WHY DON’T THEY DO THEIR JOB INSTEAD OF FARMING THE SERVICE OUT TO UPS TO GOUGE US?I WILL NEVER USE UPS IN THE FUTURE!!

    • I feel your pain… I think they need to do an investigative news report on UPS’s extortion practices, and air it on national TV.

    • Jim… it’s not Canada Border Services job to do the paperwork.

      Just like it’s not your provincial vehicle licencing department’s job to fill your name into the driver’s licence form and sign it.

      People just don’t get it….
      Clearance fees are charged (and kept) by the shipping company, to pay for them having to fill out the forms for you.

      If you fill out the forms yourself… you only pay the taxes & duty.. no customs clearance fees.

      So either do the paperwork yourself as described in the letter from Canadian Border Services Agency… or have the shipment arrive via US Postal Service so that Canada Post handles the paperwork for the low fee of around $6.

      FWIW.. Many times Canada Post doesn’t even charge the $6

  136. If USPS is used to ship the package to Canada, there are never any brokerage fees charged period…FYI

    • Close enough. If Customs does decide to charge you taxes and/or duties and USPS/Canada Post is used for delivery, Canada Post only charge a flat rate of $5.00 on top of any taxes/duties.

  137. UPS is run by the mafia. A good friend of mine dated a mamba if the Gambino crime family who has access to untold piles of cash, all delivered in the night by UPS guys…..

  138. I just received a package from UPS and am pissed that they can charge $29.55 for clearing an Item valued at only $78. This is almost 40% of the items value. I have imported many items and have filled out the classification forms at the border on numerous occasions. This takes a matter of minutes… to be charged $29.55 for a few minutes work is simply gouging. Its time consumers were protected from this corporate raping. There needs to be a law enacted to protect consumers from this extortion. Strange how the Postal Service can do the same task for a token $5 or $10 fee.

  139. I just paid 65 CAD as brokerage fee for 508 CAD item. Unfortunately there was no way to choose a different carrier. Seller did not give me a choice. Anyway, thanks to these posts I think I can avoid being robbed by UPS in the future.

  140. Hi everyone,

    I ordered $40 US worth of goods from a website for bed comforter…and UPS charged me about $37 for brokerage…. I will give this a try…

  141. Hi everyone,

    You all are not alone, I ordered $350 goods from a martial-art site and UPS requested $100.00 brokerage fee. I was shocked when they appeared and demanded payment for what I had paid including shipping, feel like being robbed……so I refused to pay and I am going to call UPS and complain. But of course, I probably has to pay at the end as my goods are not being held hostage by UPS. should I pay extra $100 for the robbery or give up my goods and lose $350?

  142. Value of item – $40.54; brokerage fee $38.66 – That’s almost 100%. Merry Christmas UPS – Consider it my gift to you

  143. For everyone who has been burned by the UPS…please take a few minutes and send a short email to: Alert@ctv.ca

    Pat Foran is considering doing a story on the UPS.

    They just tried to gouge me (again) but I refused the package at the door. I absolutely detest that company.

    Just want to help spread the word about the UPS and its brokerage/hostage fees before it’s too late.

    So please, send them an email now! Alert@ctv.ca

      • Thank you very much for this link – e-mail complaint has been sent. Just like everyone else, I was “gouged” by UPS today. Their fees, aside from taxes, were $44.18 on a $115 purchase. I’m Pissed!

    • Just got ripped off horribly on 3 boxes; sent an e-mail to ctv as you asked-please everyone on here do so as well!

      • Just got refund over phone for half the brokerage fees as a one time goodwill gesture. It helped enormously knowing the info on being your own broker-no prior authorization to act as my broker-etc on this site-thanks so much

        still will NEVER use them again!

  144. Lydia: Thanks for that info. I’ve emailed CTV. UPS has tried to stick us for a total of $152 for four packages this month. Three of the packages were surprises from the kids’ grandparents. YEAH, surprise! The fourth one? Hub ordered me a $40 necklace. UPS tried to collect $38. (The real customs due wsa $5.50.) Picture me running to the door and seeing a package from my favorite silver jewelry place. No I can’t have it until I pay the driver the entire worth of the item again.

    Yeah! Merry Christmas!

  145. I have all of you beat!
    I ordered a small box of Business Cards…value $20.00.
    That’s it…$20.00.
    I am getting hammered $17.95 for the UPS Broker Charge!
    They gave me all of the same crap about my option to pick it up in WINNIPEG (I live over 700 KM’s from Winnipeg…actually – I live in Regina, SK!!).
    I asked the agent if they knew about the current Class Action Suite against them for their Racketeering practices…they immediately started to offer me a “one time good will” bull shit discount.
    I told them it didn’t matter and that I wished them the best of luck at their Trial!

  146. If a package is sent back to sender, am I still resposible for the brokerage fees?
    I have items worth $46US + UPS standard $16 shipping. A notice at the door states I have to pay $39.61. That is $56 for a $46 item. I’d rather lose the $16.

  147. I bought 2 muffler tips off of Ebay this Christmas Value was $26.99 each so total $53.98.

    I had to pay the UPS lady $56 before she would give me my item. How does it make any sense that I have to pay more for my item?

    I am in the wrong business.

    • I used to work at the UPS call centre you’re all getting this crap fed to you from. I, as a matter of fact, was involved in training people to answer the calls you’re all talking about. It truly is a scam. The worst part is that despite the enormous profits they’re making on the backs of us Canadians, they’re taking our Canadian jobs and sending them to the phillippines! And they don’t even have the guts to lay people off, they just made our lives miserable until we quit. I left and am now getting paid far more to not rip people off. Sorry to all.

  148. I ordered my son a pair of shoes for his birthday. The cost of the shoes $85.00 plus shipping – UPS shows up with the shoes and a bill for an additional $63.00 – never dealing with UPS again! What a SCAM!

  149. Thank you for this info! UPS is currently holding an item hostage while I figure a way around their brokerage fees. I understand the HST, no problem. But their brokerage fees have always ticked me off. Now I specifically request USPS shipping on anything coming across the border – someone from this company decided to give me a break by shipping it UPS which appeared to be cheaper. ha ha!

  150. I finally switched to a much cheaper broker after I was under the spell of UPS’s exorbitant fees for commercial service. There are a lot of brokers that can do the job for a fraction of UPS’s rates. Just google.

  151. A few years ago, I had a $45 USD item and UPS charged me $68$ CAD in brokerage fees!!! I was livid! I since learned that you can refuse the package, REQUEST that UPS emails you or fax you the Customs documents and go clear it yourself for only the price of GST and provincial taxes at the nearest customs office. Whenever there is no other choices than UPS, that is what I do – I live in Montreal and go clear the goods at the Customs office in Dorval. You don’t need to be gauged by these criminals! They are preying on people’s ignorance of how it works.

  152. Hi Christian. I’m dealing with this now (45$ fees on a $30 computer bag). To confirm, do I refuse the package if they are asking for brokerage fees, ask them to hold it, then call UPS and get the customs forms? I’m worried that it’s too late since I didn’t arrange it in advance.

    Hi Audevourahn. Any tips on how to deal with UPS on the phone in this situation? I’m curious, did you work at the call center in F’ton?

    • Update: I called UPS and spoke with an agent named Angela. When I told he I wanted to clear it through customs myself she offered to remove all of the brokerage fees (but not the taxes owed of course). Maybe they are getting the message that their customers are angry.

  153. I am trying to order additional school books and facing brokerage fees of $70-100 on 2 books that are costing my $70 USD. When I got my initial shipment of school supplies I got a nice bill of $200.41 from UPS for charges and taxes on my shipment value of $982. Now most of that was GST & PST, but the brokerage fee was $73 in total. Now I am have looked at USPS, and it looks like I can have my new books sent regular mail for $10 or Express mail for $30, which is insured and can be tracked. USPS was not able to give me any info on brokerage fees only quoted me that the taxes, duty, and excise taxes are applicable based on various value amounts and that gifts are giving a higher value thresh hold. I say UPS should be ashamed and made to pay back all these fees they have taken and someone should go to jail because this is robbery.

  154. I just received a package from UPS $105.26 Brokerage fee. This is brutal… To fill out the clearance documents takes less than a few minutes. I have done it many times doing a commercial import at the border crossing. Does UPS’s excessive charges relate to a fair price for service provided? You be the judge… Lets say it takes them 5 minutes to fill out and transmit clearance documents. At this rate they can process 12 shipments per hour/person. $105.26 x 12 = $1263.12 Not bad hourly income for UPS. The government needs to intervene and put an end to this extortion. They should only be allowed to charge a price that is fair for the service provided.

    • hi everyone ,
      i went to ontario court of justice in ottawa and i got the form to sue ups through small claims anybody wants to join forces the more we are the better chance we’ll have to be heard . i got charged 45.01 extortion fee for an 80.00 used item so i refused to pay…the 5 days expired and now they said it’s considered abandoned and it will be auctioned off…the seller don’t take returns [ebay item] .
      this is like hostage taking demanding ransom i’m outraged !
      and i won’t let them get away with it, i’d rather pay 75.00 to the court and drag them there than paying 45.00 to these pirates .
      the good thing is a group of people can sue one person or a business and vis versa .
      let me know if anyone is interested .i’ll check this blog tomorrow, thanks…

      • Hello!
        I would be interested to join you on the suit.
        I was charged 55 CAD for a shipment of my own personal items, which i shipped to myself in order not to have to take on the airplane.
        let me know what you would like to do and I will support you….
        contact me at marcelagiesche@yahoo.com
        -marcela Giesche

  155. A package was delivered to me today while i was at work . They left there UPS Infonotice . Okay cool my stuff came . Then when i finaly got into the door i realized they were charging me $62.00 for brokerage fees ! I saw red .Can you say extortion !I am going to have them ship it back , i will take my losses , i will be dammed if i will pay them that kind of money for 2 minutes work.

  156. What do I do now that FedEx has sent me a bill? There was no mention of brokerage fees when they left my item on my porch!

  157. Oh and for the UPS package? I called UPS back (after giving the shipper heck for NOT sending by post office which is what it said on my invoice) and they offered to do a “one time deal” by cutting their own fees in half. I agreed.

    Then when the package arrived, it was marked UNPAID!! So the poor delivery guy wasn’t sure what to do. I gave him my CC info again, but sure enough they charged the full amount.

  158. Yes, I have also felt the sting of UPS brokerage fees.

    I just today called CSBA’s BIS line (number indicated above), and it appears that UPS is telling the truth. The agent from CSBA told me that I cannot clear the item through customs anywhere except where the item is physically located. The CSBA agent who would accept my paperwork and payment must be able to physically inspect the item, which isn’t going to happen anywhere other than where that item is physically located.

    So, UPS appears to be right about having to go to Fort Erie if that’s where your package sits waiting.

    Which brings us back to the only tried-and-true method of avoiding having UPS stick it to us – do our best to avoid having the item shipped UPS in the first place…

    I’m a regular eBay shopper, so I come across this often. I always ask my eBay sellers to ship USPS Priority Mail International, and sometimes even offer the seller a premium for the service. Better to know up-front what I’m going to pay for customs clearance, and give extra to the seller for doing things my preferred way.

    Allister

    • Thanks Will.. At least someone on the thread has a few brains.

      People….

      Next time you get something shipped to Canada, learn what’s involved first.

      Then check the courier/shipping company’s published fees.

      It’s not brain surgery unless you are 16 yrs old.

      Yeah UPS fees are high, but you decided to have it shipped by them without checking the full cost.
      Ignorance of the cost is no reason to say they are ripping you off. You agreed to have them ship it.
      Your own damn fault for not being an adult and checking the cost first.

      • Look, maybe you have time to sit around and hunt down the actual cost of receiving parcels through UPS, but most people lead rich and fulfilling lives and would prefer the companies they deal with to do business ethically so they don’t HAVE to call around, email, and Google a bunch of agencies and sales reps just to find out how much the sweater Granny knitted is going to cost when it arrives at the door.

  159. UPS is pretty good in regards of speed vs price, at least in my experience. The “brokerage” fees are pure evil, but luckily many company’s (i.e Newegg) take care of the customs for you, and therefore you’re not charged.

    Of course, you could always go with USPS, but they are one of the slowest shipping services I have ever used, and their “tracking” system is a joke (like this: “Package sent” “Package arrived”, holy derp! Thanks USPS for confirming that I am indeed holding my package!).

  160. Here’s an even more egregious case. I was head of an annual conference that is usually held in the USA. We had a lot of leftover materials after each conference that we would offer to people the next year at very little charge. I arranged to have the material shipped to me in Canada for safekeeping; the plan is that I would bring it back to the US for the next year’s conference. We figured the value was $0 since the material was just documents that had been paid for,

    But I used UPS. Bad mistake. I was nailed for several hundred dollars in taxes and brokerage fees. I refused the shipment, so they sent it all back, but charged the sender the shipping fees all over again.

  161. Here’s what pisses me off. I ordered (a) item ($299.00) from the states UPS, $23.00 shipping plus $49.95 brokerage fee will be billed to me when delivered this was asked of me via a phone call from UPS, so I will pay at my door $49.95 when UPS shows up.The part that kills me is that we (Canada) pay a brokerage fee of anything over $20.00 from the States when using a independent courier (UPS, Fed-x, Purolat. etc), but the States will not have to pay a fee unless the amount is over $200.00 !!!
    POINT BLANK DON’T USE THESE COMPANY’S, that came from our own Government, they want us to buy Canada and use our postal service, onerously at our cost.

  162. hi everyone
    i am fucked by UPS today,
    and i just wanna know if i can pay the brokerage COD with a debit card? that delivery guy said i can only make payment by cheque and credit card…..but i dont have any of them. can someone answer me quickly pls? that guy said he will come again tmr

  163. UPS is lying to you. You can clear custom anywhere where the CBSA office exist. You just have to obtain the waybill and receipt ahead of time.

    Simply don’t buy from seller who only ship with UPS is the strategy. Cheers.

  164. Yeah – I don’t deal with any US Vendor that wants to ship via UPS to Canada and I tell them up front (and most of them aren’t aware) that UPS is ripping their customers off using their products.

    Amongst the many horror stories, that I’ve had the worst was when my wife forgot an item in a California Hotel. She noticed it missing when she got home.

    A quick phone call confirmed that the hotel had it and wanted to ship it back…. their cost! They asked what the value was and she unfortunately told them $250.

    UPS arrived with a bill for $95 brokerage fees and duty and taxes …. we said no way it’s our item, being returned to us. They said pay it or they’ll send it back, which is what happened – the hotel was NOT happy.

    It was sent to us by US Post and didn’t cost us anything!

    The second worst – my wife bought me a wonderful gift from the US and didn’t tell them to ship USPS. Since it was an anniversary gift they expedited it by UPS. My $200 gift ended up costing $350 after the taxes and brokerage fees were added. Again the US company wasn’t aware of UPS’s usery fees. They have since switched to strictly US Post for Canadian orders!

    Never again…

  165. UPS adds a flat rate of $30.00 onto international shipments..period. Then there is a price point increase based on the price of the product being shipped, then there are the taxes that the Canadian government want. If the seller didn’t already do it, UPS pays the taxes for you at the border. If your product is tax exempt you can file a claim and have the money refunded buy the Canadian Government (google it).
    However, the best method to avoid all of this is to pressure the sellers to use the USPS instead. Strangely when the parcel comes across the border, Canada Post takes posession of it from the USPS and doesn’t do anything, they just deliver it. I have never been asked for a penny at the door from a Canada Post delivery person. I’ve attached an email below that I sent to LeisurePro.com regarding their choice to only use UPS and Fedex. I checked what the shipping charges were using USPS and called them on it. Pressure the sellers to change and UPS might get the message. Tell the sellers that your not interested in being their customer if they align themselves with shipping companies that overcharge and negate the savings their stores offer. Point out to them their competitors that are shipping with USPS. They’ll eventually get the point.

    Cheers.

    Email sent to LeisurePro.com 06/04/2011

    “Is there an option to ship via USPS to Canada? UPS and Fedex charge us Canadians brokerage fees that amount to extortionism; I only buy products from US sellers now if they ship via USPS or are willing to offer it. The good old US Postal Service just hands the package over to Canada Post at the border and we Canucks aren’t asked for a penny more. And…their initial shipping rate is $17.00 cheaper that the UPS rate you offer.

    Essentially UPS and Fedex eliminate any savings I get shopping with LeisurePro versus an LDS…pretty bad business model for you.

    Thanks”

  166. Got charged today CAD41.79 for an item that costs 59.99 plus the shipping fee of CAD18.00
    This has to stop!!!!!

  167. I NEVER buy from companies that use courier services (UPS, FEDEX, etc.). USPS and Canada Post are the best if you are in no rush and sometimes they are even faster.

  168. Just talked to UPS on the phone, once you have paid for the item at the door they will not refund the brokerage fee. Your best bet is just to NEVER use the UPS. They should be obligated to tell the shipper that the receiver will be paying this outrageous fee. I will never use UPS again, what a disgusting practice they have in place, $29.55 for a $76 item. And you pay GST on the brokerage fee. Outrageous.

  169. NEVER have I seen this … $45.50, what the hell ? Who do they think they are ? Honestly, this is extortion at its best !

    What really pisses me off ? I cant do anything but to pay. But never again am I taking or advising UPS to ANYONE, ANY-MORE. I hope they get sued big time one day … and very soon ! Go bankrupt

  170. I just paid 57.22 for an $80 dollar package. Something needs to be done about this. Where are our consumer rights. We buy something and have to pay for it before it gets shipped, then before UPS will hand it over to us we have to pay again whatever amount they ask for. We have already paid for the merchandise and are forced to pay the UPS brokerage fees otherwise UPS will not release the package and we lose our money. Where are consumer rights here. This is bullshit.
    It`s bad enought that even with the Canadian dollar stronger than the US dollar we still have to pay more for goods here ( not to mention the HST) So as a consumer we try to find ways to make money and shop in the US but somehow the consumer still gets screwed.

  171. UPS wanted me to pay $60 in brokerage fees on a shipment worth $200! I refused to continue to get gouged by this company so I refused it at the door. I called UPS about this and they told me I had no choice or find my own broker. I looked around and found another broker by the name of Bay City Brokers from another blog site that a user has used.

    Anyways long story short they cleared my shipment for a brokerage fee of $16.00, I don’t know how UPS justifies such a huge fee. Just so everyone knows we do have other choices. They have a chart on their website at baycitybrokers.com which compares fees. Hope this helps!

  172. This fee, i have experienced multiple times. Once 45 on a 50 dollar item, that was the first time. The latest was just stupidity on my part, i knew about their little fee and i still ordered using non-expidited shipping, but had it shipped to one of my clients offices. The fee was only 20 dollars for the bussiness to intercept and it was 300 dollars of goods. I’m wondering if i made the same order to my house what would those fees be, because the last time as damn near 100 percent, and from what I’ve read here – those profit orientated cock suckers are still raping us for a form that most of us had no idea about. If i ran my business like they do id have no clients to support…. Yes let me fix that for you, as i submit the invoice… that will be an extra 50 dollar fee for processing your invoice, Fuck you UPS

  173. I say we harrass UPS several times a day to get some action by calling them over and over again and wasting thousands of dollars of their time with obnoxious complaints and endless questions and requests to talk to higher ups for a start. Extortionists deserve to be heckled endlessly.

  174. This is wonderful, to be amongst many others that feel as I do about UPS. I am disappointed to see their trucks roaming around because, to me, this is an indication of the many lemmings are probably paying these extortionist fees. The last order (about 3 years ago) where I was charged about $45 extra to cover the cost of some knob to move this simple product across the border, I wrote a nasty email to them. I told them that I would never do ecomm with any business that would not see their shipping beyond UPS, I would bring attention to all that would listen about these extra charges etc etc They reimbursed my entire amount. However, I still follow through with this to this day. I have convinced almost all online sites in the US to ship via USPS. No brokerage fees but it will take a few days longer, which is fine by me. Always verify on how a company ships. If they only list UPS, try contacting them and request another service. Put the word out and let us all do our part at removing these brown turds off of the roads. LOL

  175. Hi everyone and thank you all for the information provided through this thread. I was hesitant for several days and didn’t know if I should place a big order from US or not. After several weeks of research I’ve found that ordering from US is cheaper (only product cost) than purchasing locally. I had to also calculate the shipping, HST and brokerage fee if ordering from US. Fortunately I am getting FREE shipment on my purchase but the downside is that UPS is shipping, extra charges would be over $100.

    I searched and found a website which can give you a rough estimate of the total amount it would cost you receive your shipment from UPS/FedEx/USPS/etc. Check it on http://www.thefinalcost.com. It also gives you an option to check off “Made in USA” as there should be no Duty Charge to us as customers if we purchase products that are made in USA.

    Thanks to all the msgs on this thread including the last one from Mark, now I know I can arrange a different company for less cost and not worry about UPS brokerage fee and still get my free shipment from US. Thank you all once again for showing me a better way to save money.

  176. Hello all,
    I have been robbed twice by UPS on a pair of sunglasses and some toys ordered from US web sites.The UPS custom clearance fees were about 40% of the good’s costs.
    That should be illegal ,especially since most people are caught by surprise and given no choice when they receive the bill. I will never ever use UPS services for anything.
    When I order things from the US I now ask it to be shipped by USPS and I take care of the customs for very little money. Surprisingly, several online vendors do not offer any alternatives to UPS… they probably share the fruits of robberies.

  177. Just got a similar invoice from Fed Ex ($20 for a $50 item). USPS seems to be the way to go.

    • I believe that Canada Post Does NOT charge brokerage fees … thus the trick is to request delivery via USPS/Canada Post

        • I have purchased a large number of items from the USA shipped to Edmonton. Canada Post usually charges me a $5 handling fee plus GST/HST on purchases over $25CND it takes them 6 to 16 weeks with an average of 9 weeks to deliver. UPS has only every charged me GST/HST never a handling fee usually within 3 to 10 business days average of 5 days. Fedx on the other hand charged me $4.50 GST (6%) and $23 in handling for a $75 product average of 3 days to deliver. All my orders have been less then $1,000.00.

      • Unfortunately Canada Post can and does charge the brokerage fee ($18.00 + g/hst). However, it seems to happen on rare occassions unlike UPS/FedEx who do the cash grab every time.

        • Nope, get it sent by air, never a brokerage fee by UPS or FedEx (you’ll still pay duties, taxes). Don’t be cheap, upgrade your shipment.

    • Just got a similar invoice from UPS ($47 for a $100 item). It is dirty and ridiculous.

        • same thing happened to me. I paid $4.77 for items from Ebay and Fed Ex tried to charge me $14.95 fee. RIDICULOUS!!! I went ape-shit on the phone and they cancelled it for me. BASTARDS!!!! ;0)

      • ClearSmart.ca is the service to look into. They will save you lots of money on brokerage fees.

    • Yeah, keep using USPS and you will see what incompetance is. Why do people order things and never check to see what the cost will be?? Only after they find out what the charges are do they start compaining. Sounds to me like a bunch of people not doing their do dilligence before they order/purchase things. After being in the logistics field for 20+ years (no, I don’t work for UPS) it does not surprise me people don’t check things out, they just think everything should be low cost and complain after they find out it is not.

      • Or they expect to be told up front what the cost will be.

        Not told $35 dollars for shipping. Ship the books at that price.

        Then be told that it’s another $37.67 in order to get the stuff you mailed. If you don’t pay it, you don’t get it.

        This is what happened to me on $80 dollars worth of books I mailed to myself. Quite the shock I received earlier today.

      • That’s funny, I have ordered hundreds of items from the US over the past five years or so where the vendor uses USPS and have had no problems whatsoever. I have ordered a few items, reluctantly using, UPS or FedEx and I have paid for the mistake.

        My wife on the other hand sends and receives large volume orders for her work and is somewhat of an expert on that kind of cross-border trade and she will tell you that no one has the market cornered on incompetence.

        • It depends on the shipping service like mentioned by other users above. I’ve ordered many things from America with USPS and rarely got a brokerage fee. However, UPS always gets me with ridiculous fees that are almost as high as 50% of what I paid for the item.

          What I usually do is ask the seller to mark item value at half price or less and/or mark as gift. I dont do this for any orders over 100 dollars in case it gets damaged or lost you only get covered for what you declared. Works like a charm for me.

          -Matt

      • Seriously, I agree with the below, although I do somewhat agree with you as well. Why is it if you wish to buy something online you have to go through finding what customs will charge you and brokerage? We should be told up front what the total price would be, if the price we AGREED upon is not met and extra charges are added, why shouldnt people bitch and complain? I just bought a $50 pedal, paid $15 for shipping, and now have to pay ANOTHER $50 because of UPS brokerage. How is it that when I agree to a TOTAL of $65 then hidden charges are applied. This is not a contract of any sort, I just want my f#$%^ing pedal without paying twice what its worth. UPS can go to hell, though i doubt Satan himself would agree with the broker fees for a fat f$%^k sitting in a chair asking for $50 more ’cause he looked at my guitar pedal. Hell if anything, you look at MY pedal, and touch MY pedal, you pay ME the f$%^&ing $50 for being an asshole and touching my new S$%^t before I even see it! F%^&K YOU UPS!

        • Not exactly how customs brokerage works, easy to see how you wouldn’t understand it since it doesn’t seem like you’re a regular importer.

      • Although I do agree with doing your do-dilligence in most cases, I feel there is a lack of available “spoken out loud” info. on accepting internationsl packages, especially since every company is different.

        In the age of Ebay and other online sales, the general increase in parcel mail has made the big box, non-government, shipping companies drool with greed.

        When UPS/FedEx is charging MORE for brokerage than the actual cost of the item, it’s simply robbery. This is especially true since Canadapost rarely charges anything more than the GST on incoming items from the US. UPS/FedEx seem to look at every package under a microscope, figuratively, to see evey dime they can extract from it.

        Nothing like springing whispered, additional costs on a customer when they are the most vulnerable. Ding-dong “Would you like to accept this package you have been waiting so patiently for?….$50” – The notification of additional costs due, beyond tax, should not be sprung on the customer last minute, but rather at the time of shipment by the shipping company…

        Very greasy, and unprofessional. Yet, accepted as a regular business practice for big faceless corporations.

    • ClearSmart.ca will get your package accross the border for a fraction of the cost UPS and Fedex charge.

  178. JUST USE USPS/Canada post. I havent paid a DIME in customs or brokerage fees after 3 years of US shopping.

    Yet UPS (not USPS) BURNED me badly twice.

    I’m surprised these jerks have any business!

    • Maybe they do need some work in this area, but its UPS, overall they do a wonderful job. Good luck with USPS they are totally incompetant.

      • I’ve ordered dozen and dozen of things through USPS, and have never had a problem. I don’t have anything shipped by UPS. Learned not to do that a while back – the brokerage fees were ridiculous.

      • I do probably about half of all my shopping online, and I have never had a problem with USPS. They certainly never “surprise” me with hidden fees that are 1/2 the package’s total price for a service I didn’t ask for and which doesn’t actually seem to do anything. And since they hand off the package to CP it’s easy to pick up my package, unlike UPS which insists on (a) coming by when most people (including me) are at work, and (b) setting up their depots in ridiculously out-of-the-way places, forcing me to drive an hour to pick up their package. (Don’t make the mistake of bringing only your debit or credit card either. Then you get to make two trips, as they’ll only take cash or cheque! What decade is this company operating in?!) Not to mention rough treatment of packages by UPS employees.

        By now, I make sure to thank US retailers who use USPS and avoid those who don’t, and it seems like I’m not the only one. Are you a UPS employee or something?

      • You’re an idiot if you think UPS does a “wonderful” job. They’re delivering packages…how “wonderful” could it possibly be? USPS and Canada Post are the ONLY way to go if you’re not totally retarded, which I’m assuming you are since you HAVE been burned by UPS if you’ve ever used them…either that or you just love getting ripped off!!!

  179. Just received a package from England – via UPS. Value $50 Cdn. Shipping by UPS 19.45 UKP (about $30 Cdn) Brokerage fee $19.45 effectively doubling my original cost.

    I had originally requested UK Postal service, however, with our own postal strike pending, I was stuck with a courier. The item was non duty/taxable in Canada – which was indicated on the sales slip – however can’t get UPS delivered in Canada without UPS brokerage fees. Out an out extortionist theft in mho.

    • For charging a fee for a service they’re providing? Clever. Cuba might be the place to file that.

  180. I see that one class action started a couple of years ago in Vancouver did not get accepted by the courts. The more I look at this the more I tend to conclude that it is our own lousy government that is responsible for fobbing this travesty off on us. They have made themselves such a self serving elite that they have scant interest in soiling their hands with the practical issues affecting the rest of us.

  181. UPS has a $121 package and they want $47 in brokerage fees. Tried so hard to find a seller in the US that would use USPS, but the only one carrying the item I wanted only used UPS. I knew it would happen, but man it still hurts.

  182. the UPS extortions frustrate me so much, just got dinged 45 on a $95 zero duty item. I appreciate the info above and will try this. I usually boycott, but this item was too heavy for post.

    My only form of revenge is to not only boycott them, but to instruct any retailer/distributor that I’m sorry I can’t do business with them if they don’t have an alternative to UPS.

  183. I’m trying to get a laptop I bought on eBay to Canada from the states. Double hopped now that Canada Post is on strike. Savings will be about $8 from buying locally with brokerage fees 🙁

  184. UPS are crooks though if you don’t pay them their outrageous charges, they send a Montreal mob collection company called RMS to harass you with hundreds of robo telephone calls at home and at work at all hours. It costs them nothing to do so. Don’t pay RMS because if you do there is no guarantee that UPS will stop harassing you to pay them for extortionate brokerage fees.

    • We are Canadian. We have free health care, beautiful summers and flag that looks kind of nice. Unfortunately we have winters that can kill us, higher taxes and USP/FedEX broker fees. Just have to accept some things are a part of being Canadian.

      Still, if you are going to get screwed, it is nice to know just how much. Check it:

      http://www.thefinalcost.com/

  185. Aug. 18, 2011
    I just got burned by UPS too! They just telephoned me and told me that there is a “Brokerage Fee” of $25 plus taxes on an item that I bought from the US for $80. The so called “Brokerage Fee” was so that UPS could “Clear” the item through Customs on my behalf. What a rip off! I’ll make sure that future shipments from the States come via Regular mail (eg. Canada Post). I don’t do a lot of ordering from the US, but I will make sure that future deliveries are NOT via UPS.

  186. I’ve found that most American sellers prefer to use UPS over USPS.
    One reason is because they’re USPS. We’ve all heard the disgruntled US postal service worker stories. I’ve heard a few horror stories from sellers shipping to me via USPS. HUGE lines, poor service…they equate it to going to the DMV.

    The other reason is that all they have to do when shipping with UPS is make a phonecall and UPS comes and picks-up (and even packs if requested…$$) the package for shipping. That sure would be nice. Imagine? I have to ship this item…I’ll call UPS…boom..done.
    Instead I have to package everything up, drive to the post office, wait in line and (usually) argue with the person over the correct fees.
    Anyway yeah…I HATE UPS!!!

    I always ask to have items shipped via USPS. I’ve NEVER had a problem with USPS and CanadaPost. Items always arrive quickly and I have NEVER once had to pay brokerage fees, tax, or duty.

    Back in the day when I received items that were shipped Purolator there were no fees…until weeks later when a bill would arrive in the mail. Too late then though. I already got the item.
    I wish UPS would do the same. I have no problem not paying that bill and then telling the collection agency to go F$#& themselves.

  187. Unfortunately, many if not most US businesses do not offer the option to ship by USPS to Canada.
    If you ship in a high value shipment, consider making use of a brokerage firm. I use ‘ADVANCED GLOBAL TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGIES’ (tel 519.258.8489), there are many more to choose from. The first shipment fee is $100, then $50 thereafter plus duty and taxes that you would have to pay no matter what option you choose.
    UPS SHOULD call you if you are a business (put your name in the ‘business name’ field when placing an order) to verify which brokerage firm they should use; at which time you direct them to your brokerage firm.
    However, once, I requested the shipper to inscribe on the package ‘Use AGTT brokerage’ with their tel number; which they did in large obvious block letters. UPS ignored the clear instruction, did Not phone me to get instructions on brokerage and processed it anyway.
    Ended up paying something like $170 instead of the $50.!!!

    I’m receiving a package now which would cost me $40 in ups fees, but I opted to send it to my brokerage company anyway at extra cost because I will not give UPS my money!

    • I have found that all you have to do is call and ask. When they have said no I have explained the insanity of brokerage fees and they have then said yes – EVERY TIME!

  188. UPS are really disgusting brokage fees i had to pay 39.94$ for a DVD which was 49.95$ i will never do any business with them.

    • Hey, Tards, the duties and taxes are not a brokers “fee”, that’s government money. Seriously, nobody on this board seems to have heard of gst before today…

      • Idiot. Brokerage fees are an arbitrary charge tacked on by the shipper – not the Government and not the retailer. They have nothing to do with taxes or duty.

  189. I just paid 150 on a 600 dollar items with an additional 150 for shipping.. that’s 50% of the cost just to get it here.

  190. I’ve had problems with Canada Post finding our place of business. We’re in a suite and apparently they can’t find us. 😉 If shipped by UPS, they have my phone number so if they can’t find me, they can call me. USPS/Canada Post doesn’t ask for a phone number so if they can’t find me, it goes back to the seller. This has happened to me several times to the point where I look for sellers that use UPS or Fedex for work. And since it is work paying for the brokerage fees, I don’t care.

  191. Called UPS and asked to waive the brokerage fee or else. They waived 50% ($30 off $60 fee).

  192. For some previous posters….a lot of people do perform their due diligence. For instance I paid 15.00 shipping; I looked up thetariff code at the CRA site and knew that I would be charged 11% to 16% duty/customs/tariff depending on how they coded and naturally the gst. But then another 19.00 for what started out as $30.00 pair of shoes …. UPS sucks. I’ve had items come thru the postal service and it’s usually only $5.00 or so … and much easier to dispute.

  193. Both, UPS and FedEx, seize opportunity to rob consumer big time.
    In few occasion, my parcel from USA worth only $150.00 but custom clearing cost $70.00+. I kept scratching on head how this thing could happen. I called them, only more frustration.
    I wonder if anyone thinking of help expose to TV investigation news? CBC, CTV, Global, or American 60 minutes or 20/20? Then darn gov’t consumer protection agency just darn stupid to deal with such important issue, perhaps under their payroll?

  194. I always email the company first if they don’t offer standard post and tell them why I refuse to have items shipped by ups. And all are shocked and disgusted when they find out about the ridiculous brokerage fees. And ALL have shipped USPS for me so far
    If more people refuse to pay their fees maybe they’ll knock it off? I can dream right?

  195. LETS START A CHAIN EMAIL EXPOSING UPS AND FEDEX. FORWARD IT TO ALL YOUR CONTACTS BUT DON’T FORGET TO ADD FEDEX AND UPS CUSTOMER SERVICE EMAILS. LETS GET SOME FIRE UNDER THEIR BUTTS!!!

  196. For people that order a lot of things from the states and don’t mind waiting an extra couple days, here is one solution I’ve been using for the past 2 years.

    Sign up for a mail box with these guys, https://www.maillinkplus.com

    They are a real post office that offers the following service: You can have anything shipped to their US address (it’s not a PO box, they will receive any type of package), and then they will ship it to Canada (or wherever) via USPS (or whatever service you want). Best part is they will combine all your packages and they only charge you the price of postage +$2.

    I’ve have them send me a couple dozen packages and have save hundreds of dollars. So far they have only made one mistake, and have been very responsive over email.

    It’s not for people who just get one or two packages: you do have to pay an $50+ upfront fee and fill out some paperwork, but if you get a lot of packages from the states that require UPS (or will only ship to the US), it is a wonderful service.

    • I’ve been using these guys for over two months and have been very happy with their service.

  197. I ordered two dog bark collars from a US company which had a cost of $89.99 plus $17.90 shipping. I missed UPS and was left a delivery notice on the door with a Brokerage COD cost of $233.97…are they kidding??!!! That’s more than double the cost of the collars and shipping!!! I’m not going to take possession of the shipment and will have them send it back. That is ridiculous in my mind!!!

  198. Boycott UPS!! I wanna get boycott stickers made and slap them on any brown UPS trucks I see. And then spread rumors that they kill kittens.

  199. UPS screwed me as well. I shipped a package to a friend in Canada, which cost me $91.00 for regular transport and insurance. They failed to tell me there was a brokerage fee until after it arrived in customs, which ended up costing an additional $85.00

    What pisses me off is the UPS employee did not once tell me there was any sort of brokerage fee. He made me feel like when I paid him the $91.00, there was nothing else I had to do.

    The guy totally took advantage of me. I went in the store and told him upfront, that I had never used UPS before, and wasnt’ sure about how to go about it. The dirtbag even went so far as to give me a friendly reminder that if I was shipping anything in the future to Canada or Mexico from the U.S. that if will just about always be cheaper than using the US Postal Service.

    I looked into what it would cost me to use the USPS for the same package to the same destination… a whopping $51.85 with no hidden fees. UPS can piss off, and I will write them a letter saying as much. Never again will I use UPS.

  200. November 2011- UPS collected $24.72, at the door of the recipient of a Christmas present ordered for delivery to them. Total of shipping plus UPS’s usurious charge worked out to $75, on an order of $100. Merry Christmas!

    I NEVER order anything from eBay or Amazon vendors who use UPS exclusively. And, when I leave feedback for items purchased, I always mention “thank you for not using UPS”.

    Interestingly, a recent order placed through Tiger Direct (Toronto-area electronics supply house) was sourced ex U.S.A. via UPS. When I informed Tiger I would not accept goods if brokerage charge was requested, they told me they have a contract with UPS that states do not collect the fee. True to their statement, UPS didn’t demand the “ransom”. Hmmm, wonder if any other vendors are sharp enough to do that?

    • Tiger Direct pays the fee by sending it on the non-resident importer account. It’s not a “contract”, it’s simply how they (and many large US shippers) send their shipments.

  201. even though Canada Post/USPS is slower, I’ve never had to pay even on orders up to $100 on the written value. dropping it off at the nearest post office is also a convenient service that beats fedex/UPS “coming back a 2nd and 3rd time” policy. no one wants to rely on one guy in a truck over picking it up any time.

  202. Last year I bought a $3000 bicycle on eBay, shipped from the States to Nova Scotia via USPS, arrived with no duties, no fees, just the cost of shipping. Last week I bought $300 worth of half-price cycling apparel from the states – now UPS wants $166.00. I knew I’d likely have to pay duty, but that ain’t no duty. Anyway I haven’t accepted the shipment yet. Can I tell them to just stuff it and send it all back? I don’t want it if I have to pay that.

  203. Gave a $40 donation to a church in the usa and they sent me a $40 Bible as a gift, shipped of course through UPS. Refused the delivery today as they attempted to extort $35 brokerage fee. Please refuse such delivery attempts, send back items, don’t give them the time of day. Never had a problem with any others but greedy, tug like UPS. Keep you posted.

  204. I don’t even know how UPS makes sense out of their brokerage rates. I paid $42 in brokerage fees on a $100 item. That is almost 50% of my items value.

    Canada Post charges no fee and even sometimes if they do it is a very small amount.

    Q. UPS please justify you brok. rates?
    A. We can’t. Hey but look at the bright side we delivery every package super fast and super traceble (except when we are charging you brok. fee). Aren’t we the best of both worlds.

  205. Hi, I work for ups, so I field a lot of complaints delivering these pkgs. Personally I use USPS whenever I order something from the US, if I’m not in a hurry. I have been dinged a few times by Can Post for taxes and fees as well though.
    Being in the spot I’m in, I’ve seen it all. USPS shipping tends to be on avg 10-15$ more than ups (I have no idea about FedEx). So to potentially save 17$ worth of brokerage and wait an extra week for an item might not be worth using USPS all the time. I basically tell people if you want it soon and tracked use ups, and pay a little more in the end. If you’re in no rush use USPS.
    On the ups.com website, they have a the fees payed out for you. How much brokerage will be vs the amount of the shipment. Also ONLY ups STANDARD shipments are subject to brokerage. If your item is shipped express,express saver,expedited,etc,etc brokerage is FREE.
    I have more than enough work in the day, so I’m quite happy not having to collect money lol.
    But I will say what I get a kick out of the most is when people complain about having to pay 30$ on a 100$ item. Half of the 30 is tax which is something we pay in Canada. So when complaining about numbers, make sure you use the actual brokerage amount.
    In the end either use USPS, ups express,saver,expedited, or go across the border to a local Kinec location and get it yourself.

    • I will not use UPS unless the shipper has a sweetgeart deal on super saver which includes brokerage.
      I opened a fedex account which allows me to have duties billed diredct to a credit card. This saves the disbursements fee.
      I ship USPS when prudent and

      This may be in it’s infancy but Purolater has started to provide ground shipping from the US to some customers. A tripod eas shipped from BH Photographic in NY (there must be others) to Ottawa in 2 days for $14 including brokerage fee. The farce here is UPS does the US end of the transaction under contract for Purolater. I’ved used this service about 4 times to date and always been very pleased with the outcome.

    • Stuey, you’re dreaming! Go to http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html and read what UPS dingd people just to clear the goods. they also add another $10-$15 or more for bond fee and disbursements.

      Soooo! a $40.01 purchase coming from buffalo to barrie Ontario, weighing 2 lbs will cost 22.14 shipping PLUS $19.45 prep fee PLUS 5.85 bond fee,PLUS 4.25 COD to collect the bond fee and the taxes. There may be another charge in there some where but this is close anyway. So 29.55 is charged to collect taxes and bring the stuff accross the border So 22.14 turnd into 51.69.

      If you bring in something more valuable is gets infuriating.

  206. Yes click on that link and read it. For standard shipments, there are brokerage fees. On every other service level, express,saver,expedited there are not. I have never collected brokerage fees or any of those other fees you talk about on these shipments.

  207. it’s really an easy solution. Call 1-800-461-9999 tell them you want to pay the customs fees without the brokerage fee. They will redirect you to the closest CBSA office and they’ll work everything out for you.

    I didn’t call ahead to let UPS know that I was going to try doing this. In fact I already received the yellow slip at my front door telling me I just missed my package. When I called the CBSA it was really for information for the next time but instead they redirected my parcel to the nearest airport and have all the paperwork drawn up for me. =) Plus they were incredible helpful and well mannered. Saved myself nearly 40$ in brokerage fees.

  208. I just ordered a $3300 antique tool I need for my business from the US and because the seller said they were going to cross the border into Vancouver to ship it I thought nothing of it.

    Otherwise I would have had it sent USPS.

    Just received word they sent it UPS ground from in the US. I am not looking forward to what the brokerage is going to be.

    My poor head hurts just thinking of it.

    • That would be 80$. Your poor head should read other posts on here, before it tries to think

  209. Just got duped too. 41 dollar fee and 15 shipping for 60 dollar gift. 56 dollar expenses for 60 dollar used item and gift.

  210. UPS charged me $73.89 for brokerage fees. Including the original $65.00 shipping fee, the sum of these two fees isn’t pretty and amounts to legal shipping piracy. On top of this, it took UPS 27 days to deliver my item. I refused the order and have ordered the exact same product from a different company with whom I have had much more pleasant dealings with in the past. I am so infuriated with UPS that I am personally boycotting them hence forth. They can go BEEP themselves.

      • Stuey: Actually it is you who is incorrect, I’ve had items shipped to my door that were worth less than 100$, however UPS charged me up to 50$ for brokerage fees. Don’t blame the gvt with their taxes as its not the GVT that charges 25$ brokerage fee and a 25$ “bond fee”. Canada post can do this for 10-15$ (although I myself have never paid more than 5-7) Why does UPS charge 3 times this amount?

        • Hey Mac. Click on the link. It tells you exactly what the brokerage amount is. Making up stuff doesn’t prove a point, it makes you look stupid.

          • You are clearly an employee of the US side of UPS. Saying you work for UPS Canada is a lie, and I quote “our country”, a Canadian would have just said Canada. That chart you keep mentioning, UPS rarely follows that, as others have mentioned that may only be for brokerage then COD, bond and all the other fees (NOT TAX). How do I know? I was charged a BROKERAGE fee of $71.67 on a $100 package, would you like to see the receipt? Not to mention UPS opened the package AND STOLE SOME OF THE CONTENTS.

            Also your professionalism is clearly lacking, calling others stupid, really?

            So you need to stop making things up, crawl into a hole and just stay there forever. Everyone HATES UPS, and their employees, including you.

          • Stuey, after reading all your posts … I’m convinced that you are most likely more of an American citizen. You are NOT a CANADIAN! Quoting from your post – “our country”, that is a sign that I knew is how Americans say for their country. Canadians tend to say the name – Canada.

            Unless you have walked in our shoes as a Canadian AND experience the horrible tales how UPS “ding” us with fees. You have no rights to “feed” all the url links and song praise for UPS!

            Remember, we Canadians DIDN’T ask for UPS standard parcels. Who decided this? Answer: it’s the U.S. sellers who decided to use that route – WITHOUT our knowledge!!

            Thank you, now get off your “soapbox”!

          • Hey. Anonymous. Yes please post the receipt. I work in sw Ontario.
            There’s no way you were charged 71$ brokerage on 100$ item. Probably tax and duty in there too. People have to realize ups doesnt keep tax and duty and it isnt part of brokerage. Thats a seperate government fee, which i thought was pretty obvious.
            Or it wasn’t a 100$ item. I’ve been charged brokerage too, it’s why I said earlier I either use USPS or express shipments through ups, or FedEx. I’ve never once seen a different brokerage amount than what is listed on that website, when I deliver. Like I say, quit making stuff up, it ruins your argument. Post a link to your receipt.

  211. Can anyone tell me what “International Postal Service” is exactly? is it another name for usps or canada post?, the site im ordering from has that and also fedex/ups international shipping.

  212. In Brazil the UPS changes you once you receive the product. They DO CHARGE THE TAXES, and sometimes MORE THAN 100% in taxes, when the LAW say we should be charged 60% on importation from the USA.

    Something quite INTERESTING is that the bunch of mother fuc$@$ at UPS claim they pay the taxes in advance and we should return them the money (what is correct) BUT, when you take their invoice and send it to Federals (customs agents or whatever) which takes care of charging it, it becomes VERY CLEAR that UPS didn’t pay ANY TAXES they claim you to return them the money.

    In simple words:
    – You buy an item costing $100
    – You should pay 60% in taxes to the Gov
    – The UPS claims to pay it in advance
    – The UPS charges you (but)
    – The UPS don’t pay the Gov fee/taxes

    And it has been PROVEN here!

    Bunch of thieves!

  213. I order a bunch of things from the U.S. all the time. It is true USPS is more expensive for shipping than UPS to Canada plus the tracking is not that great. I just use the services of a third party customs broker who clears UPS packages for around 50% less than what UPS charges.

    I make a phone call to UPS tell them I am using my own broker and they send the customs broker my paperwork for clearance. Broker clears the paperwork and bills me for the taxes as UPS would and UPS delivers it at my door without any collections or fees.

    Here’s the link to their fee chart hope it helps out guys.
    http://baycitybrokers.com/courier-customs-clearance

    They charge a flat fee plus of course the taxes and duties (if any). I am done being ripped off by UPS but get to use their service for delivery as it should be.

  214. Purolator, Canada Post & FedEx all have a COD/ROD fee ranging from $5-10.00 if there is any Canada Customs Duty or Taxes owing. What they don’t have is the insane brokerage fee UPS has.Gift shipments coming into Canada, the value has to be $60 Canadian or less, person to person. If it comes from a company to you, duty & taxes will have to be paid. Yah, I import/export a lot. If it’s coming from the U.S., I have it shipped to a place just across the border from me, that way it’s domestic freight charges & I just go across the border & get it. I’ve been fortunate so far, the border guards have let me pass through without having to pay.

  215. Clearit.ca does $50 flat fee clearances on anything. They are great wiith parcels (UPS/FedEx/DHL). Can save money using them as your broker

  216. UPS are indeed modern day pirates.
    In 20 years when they remake Pirates of the Caribbean for a new generation , the star will wear a brown uniform.
    I no longer use the services of UPS due to their unscrupulous “hidden” charges.
    Not entirely hidden charges of course , as one can find them, at the bottom of a filing cabinet, at the back of the UPS store, in the basement, behind a sign that says beware of the leopard.
    So USPS all the way.

  217. We’re a broker and do our share of casual importations – imports by a person. A few tips for you: Make sure never to cut the value of your goods in half or say it’s a gift or no charge. Customs will not accept a no charge value. You need the actual transactional (sale price) value since Customs can demand even before clearance the Commercial Invoice and PROOF OF PAYMENT. Nothing CBSA likes more than nailing fraudulent importers. With lower revenues coming from the HST, Customs just loves to issue AMPS penalties to Importers — for among other things — the wrong invoice being put in the box by the shipper/exporter. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection fines both American and Canadian companies but CBSA has no power to go after the American companies so they fine the Canadian importers even when the fault lies totally with the American seller.)

    Ask for a NAFTA Certificate of Origin when you buy, if possible, to eliminate Duty if your goods are Made in the U.S.A. Mexico or even Canada (something sold in the U.S. but originally manufactured/made in Canada).

    And here’s a bigee for you airport passengers with something extra in your carry on. Never lie to Customs and make damned sure the clothing you bought in another country is properly marked with a sticker on each item. Otherwise, it’s AMPS (fine) time again and it will be in the thousands of dollars.

    Remember, under the Customs Act, the maximum fine per Customs transaction is $25,000.00. On a small order, you will be fined in the hundreds — on an order worth $1,600+, you will be fined in the thousands.

    Good Luck. Remember CBSA has all the cards so declare everything and don’t think you are smarter than they are. After all, they always have an unmarked van at border crossings on the American side filming Canadians as they leave the Duty Free Shop. When they ask you at the border if you have any booze, might be a good idea to honestly declare it.

    • Do not use fear mongering tactics based on faked “facts” – “they always have an unmarked van at border crossings on the American side filming Canadians as they leave the Duty Free Shop. ”

      Do you think that making people unhappy brings more business to you? Think again.

  218. Canada Government simply do not like people to buy from USA. In the past a few years I learned the lesson.

    There is another problem with buying from US sellers. They are very reluctant to use USPS, in fear of that you may claim that you did not receive the package. They usually wont’ budge to lower the amount declared in the customs form.

    Since I learned that Canada Government is protecting big retailers in Canada, I now came up with ways to deal with it. My tips:

    1. On Ebay, choose Chinese or HK sellers over US ones. They are willing to put a lower value on the customs form. For low valued items they ship through postal office which takes more time. However, the overall amount you pay Canada Government and UPS bastards will be significant.

    2. Rent a mail box service at the US side border. Travel a few times a year to bring item to Canada. Considering most items sell 30% at Canadian side, make sure that you buy as much as possible per travel. Spending $3000 you will save at least $1,000 a trip. Declare as less as possible when you pass the border. Border Agents are usually lazy and will wave you through.

    3. Set up a business account with Canada Government to claim HST off. Any business will do. Get any cent from the government that rips off you. Your business does not need to make money.

    • The Canadian government is attempting to protect Canadian jobs? Shocking, Rick, absolutely shocking…

  219. Rick,

    FYI, my “fake” fact comes from CBSA. Secondly, I’m not looking for new business otherwise I would not be posting as A Broker and I would be telling you where we are located.

    Now to your tips:

    1. I can tell you this story because it concerns a competitor’s client. He ordered his merchandise from Germany. The vendor (company selling the goods) put the wrong Commercial Invoice in the box. His broker put the shipment into Customs. It was inspected and seized by CBSA. An AMPS penalty was issued. Competitor’s client filed an administrative appeal with CBSA which was rejected. Competitor’s client then made an even bigger error and went to Federal Court. (His lawyer was thrilled. $$$) They lost again and got to pay the Canadian government’s costs. In the end, he told me it cost him $40,000.00 Canadian and he got nothing for it.

    2. Quite obviously, you aren’t up on CBSA enforcement. In fact, under the Harper government, inspections are more frequent and fines/penalties are bringing in much more money. These people aren’t the bozos you seem to think they are…

    3. This is a tricky one. Yes, you can do that but the commercial merchandise imported must be related to the industry your business is OPERATING in. In principle, you can’t clear personal goods using your business number. If they catch you, it will be an AMPS penalty along with a possible visit from CBSA to your commercial premises. Under the law, they can go back 4 years and look at every import the company has made and issue fines accordingly, as appropriate, for other customs infractions.

  220. @Broker Anecdotal evidence is just that anecdotal. Plus you spin it. I’m not surprised that someone gets dinged for falsifying government forms(even unintentionally). You would only get worse lying to the CRA, but you story makes no sense. He should have had requested an adjustment irregardless of the appeal and worst sued the vendor for damages from negligence. The going to federal court makes no sense.

    • Wow, Anon, you’re comments are not even close to being rooted in reality. Finance and accounting isn’t for everyone, though.

  221. I cleared a package from UPS myself at customs a month ago and just the other day receive a bill for $40 in brokerage fees and taxes. First off I cleared it for free, no taxes and secondly they didn’t broker anything! I called an they found the paperwork and would clear my invoice and a week later they are still calling me to pay! Such nonsense and what a hassle even when I did it myself!

  222. what happens if you refuse delivery and send it back or at least make them deliver the package a bunch of times to make them earn it which is easy because they don’t bother knocking ,they just put a sticker on the door and drive away when i see them or sign it for you and leave it on your side walk .

  223. Are you able to self clear an item to avoid brokerage fees by UPS if the item is over $1600? I am looking at an art piece that is over 1600 and was wondering if i could do what I normally do with CBSA and obtaining a b15?

  224. I can recount to you this story on the grounds that it concerns a contender’s customer. He requested his stock from Germany. The outlet (organization offering the merchandise) put the wrong Commercial Invoice in the case. His agent put the shipment into Customs. It was reviewed and seized by Cbsa. An Amps punishment was issued. Contender’s customer indexed an authoritative offer with Cbsa which was denied. Contender’s customer then made an even greater failure and headed off to Federal Court.They lost again and got to pay the Canadian government’s expenses. Toward the finale, he let me know it take him a lot of money and he got nothing

  225. reat Article. Thanks for the info. Does anyone know where I can find a blank “commercial invoice form” to fill out?

  226. Good day,
    I would be very very, and very appreciative if you could please contact me as son as possible as I would please need your help. I usually order things online and his time around, I am not sure why I fell for dhl, at a delivery cost of about $23, rather than UPS at about $35. I usually use UPS, or FEDEX. But this time around, I thought o use dhl as they were cheaper. *I’ve never use their services from USA to Canada for online purchases. I am asked to pay $220.00 for an online order that does not even amount to $100.00 CAD, after shipping and handling, and the current steep US exchange rate.

    I won’t waste your time going into further details on how dhl has been beyond rude, disrespectful, and unprofessional. But I will just give you one scenario; I advised the agent on the other line that her accent did not facilitate my ability to hear her well, most especially when she spoke this fast, without posing. In specific CBS, or dhl terms. She simply became worst, arrogant, intimidating, and used a lot of derogative, and inappropriate language towards me, to say the very least…

    I would like to act fast, today, before they aggravate everything else for me. Thanks a tone for your prompt reply. Best regards,
    Mrs. Yrazi

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *