Over the years I have had mixed experience with various carriers regarding brokerage fees and in particular WHO should pay.
Many like to bundle sales tax brokerage and customs and "extra fees". Some like DHL hold your package ransom, while others like FedEx surprise you with the bill months later.
My contentions are
A) Taxes and Customs are totally separate and should be billed separately.
B) The person who contracted a particular Carrier should be responsible for that carriers charges.
So seller chooses a carrier
Carrier bills seller for transport
Then carrier sends a SECOND BILL to recipient. That is WRONG.
I have contested this multiple times with DHL and FedEx and WON.
Don't mind paying taxes, but the SELLER, not me contracted with that Carrier and as such they have no right under UCC to "bill" me for "services".
Years ago DHL tried to send their "fee" to collections.
I explained to the collection agency that DHL and I had No Contract that I had obligation to fulfill.
Collection Agency agreed, apologized and that was the last of it.
A few months later DHL changed their "policy" demanding money from non contracted people, up-front, before releasing packages.
Same with FedEx. After speaking with CSR, I offered to pay customs and taxes but NOT brokerage, as I did not hire them.
They agreed and updated their "bill" .
I have NEVER had a problem with any POSTAL service, only from private carriers.
The moral is Know your Rights!
Don't hand over your money just because someone sends a piece of paper!
Always have a contract.
