Canadians, avoid UPS when importing camera goods from the USA

Hi, beware fellows canadian Canon Users

I purchased some lenses from the USA and got them shipped to Canada.
The cost for shipping was $45.... fair enough...
To my surprise UPS slapped me with a $51 bill for brokerage !!
That means they pocketed $96 for delivering the goods to me!!!! INCREDIBLE!!
No wonder they claim making millions in profit every year.

Never again!!! I will only get shipment from USPS with insurance and tracking number from now on!!

'atta way. UPS is a rip off all the way 'round. I use them constantly, but only because I don't mind paying a couple bucks extra for quick shipping and great customer service. One of my good friends owns the local UPS Store, so that doesn't hurt either.

I try to avoid UPS if at all possible. Not for the cost, but because of the rotten service we get here in the States. I have had them leave packages out on my deck. I have had them leave packages in the garage and leave no indication of where they left them.

Oh see, I've never had any of that. I simply catch the "local" driver (most people only have one or two that deliver in that area), and tell him where I'd like things delivered. He's always obliged. B&H things get delivered to my brother's house two miles away in PA to avoid sales tax, so that driver knows to put those in my bro's garage for me. The guy here knows to come inside and put them near my computer. I have nice delivery guys. I guess some don't.

When using UPS always use next day express for importing. Includes brokerage. When you ship cheap they nail on the brokerage.
Your going to pay one way or the other, at least this way gets it to you faster.

It is still a winner to pay the extra shipping from the states, compared to Canadian pricing.

JAZZ D.P.G. wrote in post #2198222
It is still a winner to pay the extra shipping from the states, compared to Canadian pricing.

Can you explain?

My next shipment will be with USPS express with a tracking number.
The brokerage fee is $8... compared to $51

rightaway wrote in post #2198003
Hi, beware fellows canadian Canon Users

I purchased some lenses from the USA and got them shipped to Canada.
The cost for shipping was $45.... fair enough...
To my surprise UPS slapped me with a $51 bill for brokerage !!
That means they pocketed $96 for delivering the goods to me!!!! INCREDIBLE!!
No wonder they claim making millions in profit every year.

Never again!!! I will only get shipment from USPS with insurance and tracking number from now on!!

Sorry, but this isn't UPS's fault, it's yours for choosing the wrong shipping option. If you choose UPS Expedited all brokerage fees are included up front. The only thing you have to pay is GST and (if outside of Alberta) PST.

rightaway wrote in post #2203322
Can you explain?

My next shipment will be with USPS express with a tracking number.
The brokerage fee is $8... compared to $51

Bob A covered it.

But as well, when you consider the cost of purchasing most Canon products in Canada and then compare to cost of purchasing at B+W or other US sites and shipping it in, we still win overall.

I'm more than willing to pay UPS expedited to get the overall savings. Expedited covers everything except taxes, which you pay either way. (but further savings on the lower costs)

Expedited overall costs is less than normal UPS plus brokerage, usually. If not it is pretty close. Plus you get faster delivery with much better tracking options. Tracking on USPS is pretty well non-existant with the 7 day time to update.

UPS Expedited is the best way, and the one I continuously use. An added bonus is the MailBoxes Anywhere locally is my drop point if I'm not home! Never a package left on my doorstep.
EDIT: If the cost of the item is fairly low and the product small, I will use USPS as I usually get it without having to pay taxes. Batteries, etc.

Hopefully things will go better next time.