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Foreign shipping brokerage costs and UPS - (Was: Re: Slik Stik - Any Word)

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CheffoJeffo:


--- Quote from: magiic on December 31, 2007, 01:08:55 am ---Well according to UPS I have a 40lb box currently sitting in Richmond BC that has cleared customs as of the 28th

--- End quote ---
A bit OT, but for the future, read this treatise on importing arcade-related stuff into Canada and the bite that UPS is going to put on you for brokerage fees.

It could be worse, though ... you seem to have gotten your panel ...

 :applaud:

magiic:

Oh I know all about UPS' shenanigans. I buy a lot of camera equipment from the states. Christian as said the declared value is $115 so we shall see what happens.

BobA:

Just for info here is a page with the charges that UPS requires for their brokerage.

Legal Theft

There are currently 3 class action suits against UPS and Fedex because of their failure to devulge this info to clients when
they send their packages.

magiic:

thanks for the link, I am book marking it for future dealings with UPS, I really don't like dealing with them but it was the only shipping option available.

demaximis:

With all due respect to the comments in the thread directed at UPS and other common carriers who must clear goods through customs (in this case, across the Canadian border), the brokerage fees should be clearly disclosed by the SHIPPER, not UPS.  UPS, FedEx or other carriers have no idea what is inside the package that is crossing the border (they do not open packages for inspection unless they have cause -- otherwise, they rely on the shipper to properly declare value and contents).  UPS does not "steal" this money, as alleged in this thread -- they merely collect what Canada imposes, based upon the declaration from the shipper.  The class action lawsuits against UPS and FedEx on this issue all stem from shippers who used UPS and FedEx services, but did not disclose the fact that brokerage fees would apply.  UPS and FedEx look like the bad guys when "Joe Consumer" gets a bill that they were not made aware of.

One of the reasons that carriers like UPS and FedEx charge in advance for these duties is the sheer number of packages that consignees refuse to accept - leaving the carrier with packages that they paid to clear that have no value to them.

Carriers like UPS do a LOT for this hobby, including moving both small and large bulky items across the country -- or across countries -- all while providing up-to-the minute information about the movement of these packages.  They provide this service at a reasonable cost, with time-definite delivery options.  While we all have stories about damages/mishaps in shipping, in reality such instances are statistically minor (UPS ships over 14 million packages a day, for example).  In addition, all carriers suffer damages - some more than others - and in most cases, the damages could have been avoided by using better packaging.

Anyway, sorry for the soapbox - I just thought it was a shame to drag UPS's name through the mud, given that the real problem with cross-border shipments arises - in most cases - from the failure of the shipper.

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