UPS tax & duties issue again....

Yvette · 07-23-2007, 03:21 PM

ok, so I just ordered digital camera from States....
its cost is $250 usd shipped by UPS...
will UPS charge me duties and tax??? I have emailed the seller to mark it as gift and put value of less than $50...
I am just asking in case he forgot to put it as gift.....

alanchan · 07-23-2007, 03:40 PM

If you use UPS, the brokers might charge a fee.
It happened to me 3 times already.

you have to tell the sender to declare value under $20 in order to avoid paying tax and duties.
but on the other hand, if the declare value is less, item is not insured.

angrymofo · 07-23-2007, 03:48 PM

see this post- i attached a UPS brokerage fee chart for items imported to Canada.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...81#post1159281

Desi · 07-23-2007, 05:55 PM

Long story short, avoid UPS whenever possible. FedEx is reasonable, USPS is best. USPS/CanadaPost you may have to pay GST/PST plus $5 brokerage, but it's a crapshoot. I'd say 50% get through without any charge.

halB · 07-23-2007, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desi

Long story short, avoid UPS whenever possible. FedEx is reasonable, USPS is best. USPS/CanadaPost you may have to pay GST/PST plus $5 brokerage, but it's a crapshoot. I'd say 50% get through without any charge.

I agree! I always get nailed by UPS!

USPS is the best. When it crosses the border Canada Post sometimes charges PST & GST, sometimes GST only, sometimes nothing. These is no consistency. For example, when I shipped a set of 4 tires on rims from the US two got charged PST & GST, two got charged GST only. Figure that! Also that my Mods4Cars Smartop module went through free of charge!

Yvette · 07-23-2007, 09:34 PM

but those sellers probably have deals w/ UPS...

Yvette · 07-24-2007, 02:40 PM

looks like the seller marked it value @ $50....
but not sure about the gift... Do you guys think I will get charged tax and duties/broker fee????

halB · 07-24-2007, 02:58 PM

Most of the time you won't know until UPS shows up at your door. Keep us posted!

Soni · 07-24-2007, 03:08 PM

Hate UPS!! Brokers fee as high as my ordered light bulbs...thats just insane!!

Yvette · 07-24-2007, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soni

Hate UPS!! Brokers fee as high as my ordered light bulbs...thats just insane!!

I so feel this,....last year, I have ordered Skunk shift knob which was usd$50 shipped. Local retail shop sold this about cdn$70+ tax...
After UPS showed up asked me to pay $45 for broker fee, tax............
ended up paying more than CDN$100 which I could get it less in local

alanchan · 07-24-2007, 03:57 PM

I prefer buying parts local (within Canada) to avoid paying extra gst, duties and broker fees.
Man, I paid enough .....

Desi · 07-24-2007, 03:58 PM

One more thing I noticed about FedEx, they don't collect at the door. 3-4 years ago I ordered a rather expensive item from the states. I got the package, and the bill came a few days later in the mail from 'FedEx Trade Networks'. I was pissed off because it took so long (was in transit for over a month, 7 days my ass) so I tore it up and threw it out. Haven't heard from them since...

alanchan · 07-24-2007, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desi

One more thing I noticed about FedEx, they don't collect at the door. 3-4 years ago I ordered a rather expensive item from the states. I got the package, and the bill came a few days later in the mail from 'FedEx Trade Networks'. I was pissed off because it took so long (was in transit for over a month, 7 days my ass) so I tore it up and threw it out. Haven't heard from them since...

really, they let you get away with it??
don't they go after you to recap the payment?

halB · 07-24-2007, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desi

One more thing I noticed about FedEx, they don't collect at the door. 3-4 years ago I ordered a rather expensive item from the states. I got the package, and the bill came a few days later in the mail from 'FedEx Trade Networks'. I was pissed off because it took so long (was in transit for over a month, 7 days my ass) so I tore it up and threw it out. Haven't heard from them since...

Don't write these guys off yet. They've been in business long enough and have been dealing with more non-payment situations than you can shake a stick at. Like Bell Canada, they can still send it in for collection long after the fact (they might even have their own collection dept.) and potentially ruin your credit history.

Desi · 07-25-2007, 01:17 AM

To be honest, if I got the bill now, I'd pay it. I was pissed and didn't think it through to well. It also helped that at the time I was under 18 and the shipment was in my name, thus had no credit to ruin. Now that I think about it, it may have even been over 5 years ago...

(Not something I suggest anyone try. I got wheels coming and fully intend on paying whatever is due).

TwinPowerF30 · 07-25-2007, 01:58 AM

Ups Ground = High Brokerage

canucklion · 07-25-2007, 07:50 AM

it's a risky business under-valuing the product, because if the camera gets damaged during transit, guess what? they'll compensate you whatever value the seller declared, worth it to you? not to me, I avoid shipping via Fedex and UPS at all cost, I always beg the seller to ship via USPS.

Just the other day, > 1 month after I purchased a K&N filter from an US vendor for 60 bucks, got a bill from Fedex for a 20 dollar brokerage fee, is that fair? that's highway robbery at its best.

halB · 07-25-2007, 09:02 AM

Don't courier companies only insure your goods for something like $2 a pound by default unless you buy optional insurance? I believe the declared value is for customs only.

Yvette · 07-31-2007, 04:29 PM

ah shit.... UPS quote me $6 for tax, $31 for broker fee.......

total of $37......... which isn't that bad... but still broker fee suc sht....

Yvette · 07-31-2007, 09:33 PM

Why do people in US prefer to send by UPS anyways??
We want USPS.... everytime I ask seller to send by USPS, they tell me UPS is their carrier....

halB · 07-31-2007, 09:52 PM

Canada Post would have charged you $5 for handling, which would bring the whole bill to $11.

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90sexion

Why do people in US prefer to send by UPS anyways??
We want USPS.... everytime I ask seller to send by USPS, they tell me UPS is their carrier....

That happens in Canada too. If you run a business that does a lot of shipping, you prefer to have someone pick up at your door and bill you periodically, than to have to haul your boxes to the post office and pay upfront every time. Unfortunately what is good for the goose is not always good for the gander.

SkyGuy747 · 07-31-2007, 11:20 PM

FedEx Ground also charges a brokerage fee, but any of the FedEx Express services have the brokerage included. I suggest International Economy Air which is only a few bucks more than ground.

If you set up a FedEx account, you can provide the account number to your parts supplier and have FedEx pick up the shipment, even if they usually use a different carrier. Tracked and insured, which the USPS is not.

07-23-2007, 03:21 PM	#1
Yvette Major General 760 Rep 7,408 Posts Drives: M Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (19)	UPS tax & duties issue again.... ok, so I just ordered digital camera from States.... its cost is $250 usd shipped by UPS... will UPS charge me duties and tax??? I have emailed the seller to mark it as gift and put value of less than $50... I am just asking in case he forgot to put it as gift.....
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07-23-2007, 03:40 PM	#2
alanchan Major 72 Rep 1,402 Posts Drives: 2006 323i Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada iTrader: (21)	If you use UPS, the brokers might charge a fee. It happened to me 3 times already. you have to tell the sender to declare value under $20 in order to avoid paying tax and duties. but on the other hand, if the declare value is less, item is not insured.
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07-23-2007, 03:48 PM	#3
angrymofo Private First Class 6 Rep 157 Posts Drives: e60 528i lci Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (3)	see this post- i attached a UPS brokerage fee chart for items imported to Canada. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...81#post1159281 __________________ 2008 528i Space Gray \| M-tech spoiler \| Tint all around \| GPThunder AE \| ST Suspension coilovers \| RPI exhaust \| BBS RW RIP - 2006 325i Arctic & 2006 330i Sparkling Graphite
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07-23-2007, 05:55 PM	#4
Desi Lieutenant 16 Rep 441 Posts Drives: 2014 435i M-Sport X-Drive Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (4)	Long story short, avoid UPS whenever possible. FedEx is reasonable, USPS is best. USPS/CanadaPost you may have to pay GST/PST plus $5 brokerage, but it's a crapshoot. I'd say 50% get through without any charge.
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07-23-2007, 09:34 PM	#6
Yvette Major General 760 Rep 7,408 Posts Drives: M Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (19)	but those sellers probably have deals w/ UPS...
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07-24-2007, 02:40 PM	#7
Yvette Major General 760 Rep 7,408 Posts Drives: M Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (19)	looks like the seller marked it value @ $50.... but not sure about the gift... Do you guys think I will get charged tax and duties/broker fee????
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07-24-2007, 02:58 PM	#8
halB Colonel 53 Rep 2,384 Posts Drives: W211 E350 4M MkV GTI 987.2 S Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Just north of Toronto iTrader: (0)	Most of the time you won't know until UPS shows up at your door. Keep us posted! __________________ 07 E93 335i - Returned at lease end 09 W211 E350 4Matic Avant Garde - Blk/Blk, AMG pkg w/18". Sport Susp. F1 Asym. Debadged. 09 MkV GTI w/Leather & 18" Huffs. F1 Asym 10 987.2 S w/Leather sport seat, Sport Chrono, 19" Carrera S II wheels
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07-24-2007, 03:08 PM	#9
Soni Major General 219 Rep 8,375 Posts Drives: Just a car Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: CANADA eh! iTrader: (35) Garage List 2007 335i Coupe [9.00]	Hate UPS!! Brokers fee as high as my ordered light bulbs...thats just insane!!
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07-24-2007, 03:57 PM	#11
alanchan Major 72 Rep 1,402 Posts Drives: 2006 323i Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada iTrader: (21)	I prefer buying parts local (within Canada) to avoid paying extra gst, duties and broker fees. Man, I paid enough .....
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07-24-2007, 03:58 PM	#12
Desi Lieutenant 16 Rep 441 Posts Drives: 2014 435i M-Sport X-Drive Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (4)	One more thing I noticed about FedEx, they don't collect at the door. 3-4 years ago I ordered a rather expensive item from the states. I got the package, and the bill came a few days later in the mail from 'FedEx Trade Networks'. I was pissed off because it took so long (was in transit for over a month, 7 days my ass) so I tore it up and threw it out. Haven't heard from them since...
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07-25-2007, 01:17 AM	#15
Desi Lieutenant 16 Rep 441 Posts Drives: 2014 435i M-Sport X-Drive Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (4)	To be honest, if I got the bill now, I'd pay it. I was pissed and didn't think it through to well. It also helped that at the time I was under 18 and the shipment was in my name, thus had no credit to ruin. Now that I think about it, it may have even been over 5 years ago... (Not something I suggest anyone try. I got wheels coming and fully intend on paying whatever is due).
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07-25-2007, 01:58 AM	#16
TwinPowerF30 Captain 38 Rep 643 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada iTrader: (0)	Ups Ground = High Brokerage
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07-25-2007, 07:50 AM	#17
canucklion pull my finger to get your kinder® surprise 148 Rep 10,455 Posts Drives: circles around you Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (9)	it's a risky business under-valuing the product, because if the camera gets damaged during transit, guess what? they'll compensate you whatever value the seller declared, worth it to you? not to me, I avoid shipping via Fedex and UPS at all cost, I always beg the seller to ship via USPS. Just the other day, > 1 month after I purchased a K&N filter from an US vendor for 60 bucks, got a bill from Fedex for a 20 dollar brokerage fee, is that fair? that's highway robbery at its best. __________________
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07-25-2007, 09:02 AM	#18
halB Colonel 53 Rep 2,384 Posts Drives: W211 E350 4M MkV GTI 987.2 S Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Just north of Toronto iTrader: (0)	Don't courier companies only insure your goods for something like $2 a pound by default unless you buy optional insurance? I believe the declared value is for customs only. __________________ 07 E93 335i - Returned at lease end 09 W211 E350 4Matic Avant Garde - Blk/Blk, AMG pkg w/18". Sport Susp. F1 Asym. Debadged. 09 MkV GTI w/Leather & 18" Huffs. F1 Asym 10 987.2 S w/Leather sport seat, Sport Chrono, 19" Carrera S II wheels
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07-31-2007, 04:29 PM	#19
Yvette Major General 760 Rep 7,408 Posts Drives: M Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (19)	ah shit.... UPS quote me $6 for tax, $31 for broker fee....... total of $37......... which isn't that bad... but still broker fee suc sht....
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07-31-2007, 09:33 PM	#20
Yvette Major General 760 Rep 7,408 Posts Drives: M Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (19)	Why do people in US prefer to send by UPS anyways?? We want USPS.... everytime I ask seller to send by USPS, they tell me UPS is their carrier....
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07-31-2007, 11:20 PM	#22
SkyGuy747 Recent Convert 0 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2007 E93 Sapphire Black Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 X5 4.8i [0.00] 2007 E93 328i Conve ... [0.00]	FedEx Ground also charges a brokerage fee, but any of the FedEx Express services have the brokerage included. I suggest International Economy Air which is only a few bucks more than ground. If you set up a FedEx account, you can provide the account number to your parts supplier and have FedEx pick up the shipment, even if they usually use a different carrier. Tracked and insured, which the USPS is not.
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