I recently bought an item from the US (San Fran) for my uncles birthday. It cost $155.87 - was shipped by FedEx. It arrived safely last Thursday. Everything seemed fine. Now today I recieve a letter from FedEx saying I owe them $52.17 for something called a "brokerage" fee. Can someone tell me what this is? According to the invoice I was not charged any custom fees or tax or tariff due to the item being rather unique. Again, what the hell is a "brokerage" fee? Thanks in advance.
"brokerage" fee???
- Thread starter dj1470
- Start date
Brokerage includes all the fees they incurred to get it over the border with a 'small' bonus for their hard work
Not all items cross the border without duties (Yet). You are paying the broker to do the paperwork to verify that this is or is not the case. If you have ever tried to clear something yourself, you will realize that this is a bargain. It does suck though, when you buy a $20.00 T-Shirt, and get a $40.00 brokerage charge.dj1470 said:
As was pointed out, just mail the thing... Usually, that will avoid the cost...
I stumbled on to this while surfing. You may want to check it out.
http://www.borderfree.com/en/consumers/index.jsp
http://www.borderfree.com/en/consumers/index.jsp
I have had most of my goods shipped to me through the mail... had $100 worth of cell phone accessories... no fees!
Brokerage fees also include any duties that need to be collected by CRA for many goods entering the country
Brokerage fees also include any duties that need to be collected by CRA for many goods entering the country
I have purchased Items from the US, from Ebay and had them shipped through the mail with No Fees.Papi Chulo said:
Next time ask the seller to mark it as "Gift" and have it valued at $40US or less.
The best way to avoid brokerage would be to use USPS but keep in mind tracking does not work with USPS cross border because they pass it to Canada post once it gets to Canada so it only tracks half way.
Fedex would be the next option but try to use Fedex ground.
Avoid UPS at all costs.
The best way to avoid brokerage would be to use USPS but keep in mind tracking does not work with USPS cross border because they pass it to Canada post once it gets to Canada so it only tracks half way.
Fedex would be the next option but try to use Fedex ground.
Avoid UPS at all costs.
Who did you buy the item from?
If you ignore the FedEx invoice, they will go after the person/company that sent it.
If you ignore the FedEx invoice, they will go after the person/company that sent it.
I shipped a package to Canada and I used USPS Global Express Guaranteed. I was able to track it online through USPS' website and I got tracking data from inside Canada as well, until it was finally delivered inside Canada. Granted, this was pretty expensive at around $25 minimum.bcskunk said:
Just don't pay the fee. Nothing will happen to you. It's a gross overcharge that borders on being obscene. Just ignore it; there are no consequences to you.
It is a fee from the courier.. if the shipment was collect, he would have had to pay it before he got the goods. If it was on account, don't pay it and it will go to collections... there are consequences. you will lose. It is not the courier's fault that you did not ask if there was brokerage fee prior to buying the goods.bayisle66 said:
It is a learning experience, an expensive one!!
Only use a courier when you absolutely need something quickly. Otherwise you will pay through the nose.
If it is a person sending something to you get them to mark it as a gift under $60 canadian. If it is a company forget about it.
If it is a person sending something to you get them to mark it as a gift under $60 canadian. If it is a company forget about it.
Have done it twice for cross-border shipments. UPS once and I forget which courier the second time. Half the bill was courier fees, half was for Customs Canada. Ignored both. No one came lookign for me. No collections agency called or wrote. No effect on my credit rating. Been three and four years respectively, now. Bad boy.Papi Chulo said:
bcskunk said:
I heard about the "gift" idea. then I read that doing this is also illegal. and that they'll confiscate your goods.
I agree with the thing about UPS . Its a very sneaky way of doing business.If there were any brokerage fees , they should tell you up front. not when you've already paid for the item , and its at your door(or you're about to pick it up from them )
brokerage fee ... sounds more like extortion fee to me. Kinda like your SP saying to you "there's a $100 brokerage fee" to handle the condom that you're one stroke away from filling.
UPS vs USPS
The big problem I have is "educating" the US sellers on the BIG difference in cost. They are simply used to using UPS for their domestic sales and really don't believe or understand the cost issues involved on our end to get things across the border. Easily 90% of the sellers that I have dealt with in the US on E-Bay REFUSE to use postal shipping and insist on UPS only. Unless I want the item really badly I simply decline to bid, but as most of the stuff I want to buy on E-Bay comes from the US I'm in a catch 22. Somehow we've got to get the message on cost difference out to them!
The big problem I have is "educating" the US sellers on the BIG difference in cost. They are simply used to using UPS for their domestic sales and really don't believe or understand the cost issues involved on our end to get things across the border. Easily 90% of the sellers that I have dealt with in the US on E-Bay REFUSE to use postal shipping and insist on UPS only. Unless I want the item really badly I simply decline to bid, but as most of the stuff I want to buy on E-Bay comes from the US I'm in a catch 22. Somehow we've got to get the message on cost difference out to them!
