Brokerage Fees

[shlou2]

I ordered an item valued at 23.96 from a US store.. they shipped VIA UPS and I picked up the item with no fees charged to me. Today about 1 week after picking up the item, i got a bill in the mail for 60.00 for broker customs fees? Seems a little high to me, or is this the norm?

[dipmicro]

Seems extremely high, post the lines here if possible.

Should have been $7 (brokerage fee) + $6 (bond fee) + $3.12 (tax) + ??? (duties)

http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html

[ggsale27]

I would send them a polite letter back stating that their agent did not charge you that fee when you picked up the package, therefore, you do not feel obligated to pay them now, after the fact.

[dipmicro]

You have to pay the taxes. What I did once long time ago was send them cheque for the tax portion with note I will pay their fees when they product power of attorney document with my signature hiring them as my agent and disclosing fees in advance as required by consumer protection act. Never heard from them.

[theafkgamer]

LOL dipmicro! I'm doing exactly that next time this happens to me! I just paid a FedEx duty thing yesterday over the phone after getting a letter. You da best!

[i*m-still-here]

I'd ignore it.  If they send a second bill then call them.

It's a mistake.

[valuestore]

Seller add the shipping cost to customs value?

[sa_calla]

 Brokerage fees are the big money making scam of the courier companies UPS,FEDEX etc. They are NOT customs fees. If Canada customs pulls one of your packages you are charged $5. +GST(if applicable) Brokerage fees are just that. They are attached to ALL courier packages that are exiting the country and are normally $25.+. A friend had UPS sending him bills for 2 years until they finally gave up. Ask your sellers to send ONLY USPS. Then it MIGHT be pulled by Canada customs(most aren't) but if they are you'll pay the $5. & maybe GST. With Ebay's new "central shipping" every item leaving the US will no doubt be saddled with brokerage fees.  It's going to be really interesting to see how long before the international buyers figure it out. As for your bill, let them send invoices until doomsday BUT make sure if you buy anything else it's sent USPS & not couriered.

[toby_le_pue]

  If Canada customs pulls one of your packages you are charged $5. +GST(if applicable)

Must be a while since you had one of your packages pulled by customs.

As of August 18, 2012, this handling fee will rise from $8.50 to $9.95 for all mail that has been assessed with import duties and/or taxes by CBSA.

[aqyera]

That fee went up from $5 to $10 much faster than inflation justifies, didn't it ?

[sa_calla]

Sorry guys! You're right its been a long time since I had one pulled. One wonderful thing about Canada Customs vs Brokerage outfits. BUT, $10. still sounds awfully good compared to $25. & up! As a matter of fact the last onethat was pulled by customs they had to reimburse me for since it wasn't GST chargeable. And they also refunded the $5. fee!