2nd Hand Lens from US to Canada.

[Brhum]

Hi,

I have "almost" purchased a lens from a reputable photographer in the States. We've settled on a price and since he has never shipped to Canada before was looking for advice on how to send the stuff over. I read a couple of other threads where people tended to favour USPS over both FedEx and UPS due to other associated fees.

So I'm looking for advice from both sides of the border. If you are Canadian what service would you request. If you were in the States do you have a preference? The seller seems totally open to whatever is the best for me. I'm not overly concerned about the length of time it takes to arrive. Insurance I believe max's out at $650 USD for USPS - which seems OK as well.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

Brhum

[cosworth]

USPS. Nothing else. You will avoid insane brokerage fees. USPS/Canada Post charges a whopping $5. Fedex/UPS charge near $50.

USPS and he fills out a simple customs form. No biggie.

[purelithium]

UPS expedited or Express. No fees except the shipping rate and the tax. USPS Global Express has treated me well, it's usually cheaper than UPS, but also takes longer. Whichever route you go, make sure the method is traceable and has insurance to cover the item. Really, these days you can't go wrong with any carrier, as long as you know all the information.

As some other members have pointed out, USPS/Canada Post is probably better if you can't be there to accept the package during the day, because the warehouses for UPS and FedEx are usually in worse spots than your local postal outlet.

You will avoid insane brokerage fees. USPS/Canada Post charges a whopping $5. Fedex/UPS charge near $50.

Untrue. See my above statement about UPS.

[cosworth]

You didn't read his post purelithium. He does not care for the time it takes. UPS/Fedex expedited is a waste of money for him.

True. If you select regular Fedex/UPS shipping rates you WILL be charged high brokerage fees. Not untrue.

[blonde]

just use USPS and ask him to fill out the custom form. i sent 2 lenses like that to Canada and both arrived to their destination. i do have to ask you a small favor though...

please don't get all upset if it takes a bit longer to reach. sometimes things get stuck at customs and might take a week or 2 before they are released. i sent another item to a buyer and customs held it for 2 weeks and i got yelled at by the buyer almost daily.

[Brhum]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll go with USPS and hope that its a positive experience, and thanks for the heads-up on the time - I'll mention it to the seller and remember to keep my cool for a few weeks.

Cheers all

Brhum

[purelithium]

You didn't read his post purelithium. He does not care for the time it takes. UPS/Fedex expedited is a waste of money for him.

True. If you select regular Fedex/UPS shipping rates you WILL be charged high brokerage fees. Not untrue.

No, you told a half-truth. You made it seem as if UPS ALWAYS charges Brokerage fees, which they don't.

[KevC]

USPS is great if you don't care about the time it takes. However, choose USPS Regular or Priority, *not* USPS Express. USPS Express dings you with ~$40 of fees and it's not nearly as fast.

If you're buying something new from BH or so (slightly off topic), choose UPS Expedited or Express. Chances are, it'll be ~$40 anyway... and it includes customs clearance. So all you have to pay at the border is tax. This in itself saves lotsa time and money....

[JAZZ D.P.G.]

Most seem to agree, USPS if not in a hurry.
The only additional point that I look at is the $ value. If over $500, I tend to use UPS/FEDEX with Express or Priority shipping, as these include brokerage fees. Never regular as the brokerage fees will make it more exprensive than Express!

[Brhum]

Hi Jim

Actually its closer to $1K USD. That being the case it sounds like USPS Priority would be the way to go (based on yours and KevC's comments).

I came across this when looking a little deeper into Brokerage Fees...

http://www.stokecity.ca/orderfromus.shtml

Which sounds in-line with other comments posted on this and other threads.

Thanks

Brhum