Cheapest way to ship to Canada?

[Oyagi]

Just a little debate going on with some friends.

A buddy of mine bought brembo brake piston seals at $52 for the kit (4 seals)+$16 shipping and $40 brokerage!

I have also been screwed a few times for brokerage on very inexpensive items by UPS and FedEx. Nowadays when buy across the border I either request USPS or BAX Global and pick up at the airport myself. I don't have the time to drive across the border like some of my friends who ship to Ogdensburg which is an hour away.

What other options are you guys using? Any good ways to save from the dreaded brokerage fee? Someone told me you can opt to clear the shipment yourself.

 

[Bram]

Have it send using the US Postal Service, no brokerage fee.

Bram

 

[BigYellowMan]

Have it send using the US Postal Service, no brokerage fee.

Bram

There would be no brokage fee if the content is not declared and not opened by Custom. I had to pay brokage fee and duties for declared items shipped using standard mail. My experience is that Canada Post and Purlator brokage fees are much lower than other couriers.

 

[Fct]

US Mail

 

[SiCkSrV]

Just 3days ago I picked up a New front bumper, OEM lip, side skirts and rear valance, which came from California, at the BAX global warehouse at the airport. I cleared the package (2 rather large boxes) myself by driving over to the Canada customs office that is litterally 100 ft down the road. Paid PST and GST and loaded it up in my truck. Alot less painful than I had expected.

Just my $.02...
Marc

 

[Oyagi]

Yep, for big items, BAX is the way to go. Thank god DF ships BAX.

 

[NCC-1701D]

Brokerage fees are charge on GROUND shipping by couriers such as UPS, Fedex and DHL.

You can avoid brokerage fees by

1) using postal service (USPS/Canada Post)
2) fill out the paper work yourself
3) get your item shipped by air using a courier.

Note that brokerage charged by couriers is based on a scale on how much the item is. I know I saw the scale on the UPS site for UPS..

Duty is only charge on items based on where the item was manufactured

eg made in Japan - there is duty
made in USA or China no duty


sometime Canada post will open your package and charge you an additional $5

 

[Bigglezworth]

Brokerage fees are charge on GROUND shipping by couriers such as UPS, Fedex and DHL.

You can avoid brokerage fees by

1) using postal service (USPS/Canada Post)
2) fill out the paper work yourself
3) get your item shipped by air using a courier.

Note that brokerage charged by couriers is based on a scale on how much the item is. I know I saw the scale on the UPS site for UPS..

Duty is only charge on items based on where the item was manufactured

eg made in Japan - there is duty
made in USA or China no duty


sometime Canada post will open your package and charge you an additional $5

BINGO The best summary right there.:tongue:

 

[NCC-1701D]

Found interesting information on brokerage fees charged by ground shipping for Fedex and UPS

Fedex
http://www.stokecity.ca/FTN-FXG Brokerage Schedule 03-01-04 English Version.pdf

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

Fedex seems to be cheaper than UPS. Keep in mind, I know UPS also has some other little fees they charge you as well that really makes no sense.

I believe I know how USPS charges you fees now.

I have concluded that you pay $0 fees when you get an item made from countrys where they are duty free. If customs does not open and inspect the package.
I have not paid GST on these items even though there is a declared value. My packages range from $10-$300 for declared value.

However, when customs opens and inspects the package. You get charged that $5 'handling fee'. And then you get dinged with the GST on that.

If the item is say from a country like Italy where it is not duty free. You get dinged for everything. Duty and GST.

Keep in mind I live in Alberta so I pay no PST.

 

[BioBanker]

i just had a 200 lb package delivered via BAX. It was GREAT, except i had to go to the airport to clear it through customs myself.