If you are sending a packaged to the U.S. from Canada, Canada Customs does
not get involved. The U.S. Customs people do, though. Thus the UPS
"charge" is strictly an American situation. Do not know how they handle the
situation if the shipment was to Canada from the U.S.
When you ship parcels to Canada via parcel post, Canada Post acts as the
"broker". I have had many parcels shipped to Canada from the U.S. and each
time Canada Post has collected the moneys owing for PST, GST and their
collection "fee" for collecting these taxes.
Prior to the Canadian government's big push for "privatization" (ie, more
fingers in the pot, and usually their buddies' fingers), a package arriving
from outside Canada would go to Canada Customs. You then had to attend one
of their offices and collect the package, paying such fees, taxes and duties
as they assessed. Not sure how it worked if you lived in a rural area with
no Canada Customs office close by, though.
There is undoubtedly a little twist to all this if a person is running a
business in Canada reparing items. The PST and GST would not be collectable
upon the item's arrival in Canada as it does not belong to the recipient.
And when the item is shipped back to the owner outside Canada, it is not
assessed PST and GST as the person does not reside in the province (PST) or
in Canada (GST).
Bill
Vancouver, BC
----- Original Message -----
From: "paulholm" <paulholm@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2002 10:39 PM
Subject: Re: [FWDLK] UPS Customs brokerage rip-off
> Bob Oswald wrote:
>
> > On Tue, 30 Apr 2002 11:26:20 -0400 Dick Woodside <rwoodside@xxxxxxxxxx>
> > Wrote, on the subject : SMS upholstery
> > My only quibble is that I had asked for US Postal Service, rather
> > than UPS, because UPS adds an additional $35 customs brokerage
> > fee, on top of the shipping charges.
> > =======
> > Dick.... This rings a bell! Last year I sent for a carburetor from a
> > company in British Columbia. When it arrived via UPS there was an
> > additional bill from "US Customs Brokerage Inc.", written on very US
> > Govt. style paper and printer font, asking me for another $25. for
> > the carb. I phoned up the (toll) number and asked them to send me the
> > paperwork, after I couldn't get an answer out of them about if this
> > was a Government fee.
> > When the paperwork arrived it stated that this was a tariff free
> > item, but was assessed a brokerage fee. I decided this was UPS's
> > way of getting paid at both ends and ignored the bill. After half a
> > dozen threatening letters (eventually coming from a "collection
> > agency" in Texas), they left me alone. Subsequently I heard that
> > they (UPS) have the same scam in UK with international packages.
> > It's time this became better known for the rip-off it is, and time
> > people simply stopped paying them. I now insist that any
> > international parcel come by USPS, FedEx, or ANYONE except UPS.
> > OK, I've steamed off enough now. I feel better.
> > Bob O. Oregon
>
> I have done a lot of mailing of parcels to and from Canada.
> Using the regular government postal system for private mailings
> is usually best. Usually very little delay as long as that little
> green (USPS provided because you are mailing to Canada) is filled
> out correctly. Indicating that this is a private transaction.
> (I am sure that there is an equivalent up there)
>
> Canada has a "Broker" system of handling parcels that are commercial
> in nature. I believe that this is a holdover from days gone by.
> (You know, many fingers in the pie, each getting a cut)
> UPS is a registered carrier in Canada, therefore parcels sent via them
> have to use the "Brokerage" system. (AND someone gets paid for this)
> The reasoning I have learned concerning the "Brokers" is that they
> are supposed to know the laws and codes, thereby facilitating the
> movement of goods across boarders. (TAXES and DUTIES to be assessed you
> know)
>
> The lesson to learned is that if your transaction is able to be boxed
> within UPS guidelines handle it as a person to person mailing and
> use the Govt. postage system. AND know how to fill out the Customs
> declaration sticker.
>
> A LOT of the higher $$ items I sent to Canada were "repairs"
> or needing repaired. Never had to pay duty or extra taxes, even if
> I sent it insured. If the item is under $100, you might label it
> as a "gift"
>
> --
> Paul Holmgren
> Hoosier Corps #33, L-6
> 2 57 300-C's in Indy
>
>
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Need an answer fast? Search the 17,000+ pages
of the Forward Look Mailing List archives at
http://www.forwardlook.net/search.htm
|
|
Back to the Home of the Forward Look Network