Comments on Profile Post by ductrung3993

Unlikely. They publish the rates: https://www.ups.com/ca/en/shipping/zones-and-rates/customs-clearance.page
@Imraan - something to be aware of for loaners; not sure if US senders can declare $0 customs value while also insuring.

Thanks @Biodegraded! My understanding is that you can if you mark the item as a used item shipped for repair or review purposes. As a loaner would be returning there'd certainly be grounds for contesting fees if it does somehow get dinged.

I would also pay those fees if I had to in order to get ears on anything I'm looking at buying down the line, Headphone Bar Is online only. Auditioning is super valuable to me - I have issues with hearing damage.

@ductrung3993 - was it a purchase or a loaner?

@Imraan friend sent me some stuff (didnt know when she was gonna send it) and she declared the value on her own so...

Ouch

@Imraan yeah total fees were 2/3 of declared value...

@Biodegraded do you know if UPS tells you openly about the brokerage fees or slide them in as fine print (as one should expect in hindsight)?

If you use their online estimate tool, at the bottom of the results page it says "Rates for standard service do not include the cost of brokerage services" and there's the link I gave earlier.

Thank you @Biodegraded! May I ask for your recommendation when it comes to dealing with CBSA? I called UPS and they say they could reverse the 80CAD charge if I try to clear the package myself, and I dont know if it's worth it.

I think that'd mean UPS sending it to their local CBSA office and you going in there for paperwork, duty payment & pickup (how close to you?). Been 20 years since I did that myself, so maybe wait for other replies in the thread before deciding - but personally, I wouldn't take the time over the $80...

This reminds me I should stop complaining about shipping across the Pacific, as customs is generally simple and not that expensive here. When/If I move back to Canada, it could be more PITA getting stuff in from the US, now that I've found a reliable and economical forwarder specializing in Taiwan.

@Biodegraded thanks for sharing your experience. I think me contempting their businesses is big enough of a motivators already though