How to avoid brokerage fees on UPS packages.

[akamikeee]

I also got it from UPS before I knew better, $100 order end up paying around $50 or so in duties. They should play this song whenever they're about give it to you with the brokage fee YouTube - That's Logistics - TV Spot (got to love the last line "there will be no more stress cause you called UPS". I call bullshit on that.) Remember, that's logistics . I found with small orders when I have no choice but UPS I get the items valued under $10 to avoid brokage fees.

[Conker]

Well, looks like I've almost succeed! I still need to actually do it, but I've got the appointement set and paperwork ready for me. I'll let you know how it turned out.

For those in the Montreal area:
Call this number: 1-800-263-8125
Choose your language, then option 4, give them your tracking number, and tell them you want to clear your package yourself. To make sure it works, try to do it as soon as the tracking says it's been scanned for export from the originating country (so before they decide to clear it in-house).

They'll have you get to the 1221 32e avenue, Lachine (UPS Office) to get the paperwork, then to 10765 Côte de Liesse, Suite 217, Dorval, to the CBSA office to fill in the paperwork and pay applicable taxes, and then finally back to the UPS Office with everything filled in so you can pick up your package.

The only additionnal fees will be federal taxes.

EDIT: Sticky? That could be very useful for others I'm quite sure.

[Labo]

Ok.. I recieved a package.. a battle belt from a gear company from North Carolina for FREE .. the condition was.."I just had to pay for the shipping.. which was $15" so I said.. "ok, great deal".. the item valued at $60US... how did I end up paying another $42 CAD to UPS? I didn't understand. It's almost like I paid for the damn thing anyway.

[Fireboy]

For your reference....
http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shi...clearance.html

The best tip I can give you is ship Expedited or Express. I always prefer UPS as I like receiving my goods in less than 3 days instead of the normal 14 - 20 days via USPS. This way you will not pay any brokerage fees. I still have to pay gst & duty, but zero brokerage fees.

Last time I ordered some GBB mags from Airsoft GI they labelled them as samples, put a total cost of 0.00 and I paid zero in brokerage/gst/duty. The order was under $100 and UPS defaults a $100 insurance on EVERY package, declared or not. So if they went missing anyway, I'm covered.

[Short Round]

My final Airsoft GI bill came to $145 normally shipped

crap I'm going to get hit hard on this shipment.

[Conker]

For those wondering, I ended up going to the CBSA office and paying 27$ in taxes, as opposed to the 80$ or so + 27$ duty UPS asked me.

[Ninja_En_Short]

Ah... the good old formalities fees... UPS is the same everywhere I see XD

[Short Round]

ANY AIRSOFT GI Buyers, probably most know this so this is for the new kids on the block. I got my package today! They put GI Toys as their company title, and stated my $145 valued items to a grand total of $20 on the packaging.

So no brokerage fees, whew. Love ASGI for that.

[Kokanee]

Originally Posted by Najohn

So no brokerage fees, whew. Love ASGI for that.

Wait for it, you may receive a bill in the mail in a few months time.

[Trueler]

For benefits of importers: I did self clearance in local Canada Customs office and paid only taxes without brokerage fees. I've described detailed instructions on how to self clear here:
How to self clear shipment at CBSA and avoid UPS brokerage fee

Here you may find experience of other people in comments as well:
UPS Brokerage Fees – Total Scam, Fraud, Cheating. How to avoid it

If you guys have any specific questions about self clearance of UPS packages, you may ask here, or in comments to those articles which I monitor more often.

I'm not advertising here, but sharing valuable information how to beat UPS.

[ex]

^^STICKY THIS^^

Best, and most concise guide I have seen yet. Thanks Trueler.

[ILLusion]

Folks, Trueler's advice is for real. He recently helped me broker in a package (it was a jacket that my girlfriend bought for me). It was the biggest "F-U" to UPS, and although it still cost me more than the brokerage fees would have been (tallied up due to 407 fees, time, gas, and $25 in cellphone airtime over usage), it was still worth it in the end; simply because I got to rub it in UPS' face.

If all you care about is the bottom line dollar amount, then it may sometimes be better off just paying the fees. However, this time, I had to beat the system simply because what UPS Brokerage did to me was not right and I wanted to make sure they wouldn't see a single cent of my money.

[audi_bhoy]

Originally Posted by Gunk

Don't ship DHL either... I've seen the inside of their Hub... mystifies me how any packages get to their destination intact....

The repack dept. gets a lot of work.

Worst, the delivery boy didn't want to make a 2nd attempt and I would have to drive 1 hour to the closest DHL center to get my package. I finally managed to get someone to pass by but they didn't provide me any timeline, so I had to wait the whole day at home, in case the driver would show up.

[Dimitri]

Originally Posted by Gunk

Don't ship DHL either.

UPS is a option if you must and have no choice. DHL is something else. DHL is for people who are into a little bit of S&M, and want to feel a bit of masochism inflicted onto them.

Which by the way, don't ship Purolator to the US either, DHL handles Purolator's packages once it crosses the boarder into the US.

They couldn't even deliver a invoice, a lousy d*mn invoice into the US without screwing it up. Arrived at the customer looking like it fell in a pool and they let it dry off before delivering it. The one and only time I shipped Purolator into the US.

Dimitri

[FOX_111]

Tanks for the tips.

And +1 for pooring sand in UPS butthole and concrete in DHL hole too!
I got screwed hard by DHL last month and I ended up having to drive to their underground evil lair to get my box. A 30$ item ended up costing 100$.

USPS+Canada Post make a good team. I prefer to wait then pay some MOFOs.