how bad is the brokerage fee for Fedex?

[elty]

by Fedex Ground specifically

I thoguht it is not as bad as UPS, but none the less expensive as HELL

[JoKeRr]

not too bad, this contains your answer:

http://www.stokecity.ca/FTN-FXG%20Brokerage%20Schedule%2003-01-04%20English%20Version.pdf

[Rehan]

not too bad, this contains your answer:

http://www.stokecity.ca/FTN-FXG%20Brokerage%20Schedule%2003-01-04%20English%20Version.pdfThat's only a couple dollars cheaper than UPS's rates at http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html

[JoKeRr]

That's only a couple dollars cheaper than UPS's rates at http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html

k the UPS is just bull. seriously I just got some stuff from states via UPS (yeah the guy who shipped it seriously fked up, and he refunded me half), it was worth 200USD, and UPS charged me like 87.50 CAD. so that chart is just bull crap.

[xanatos]

k the UPS is just bull. seriously I just got some stuff from states via UPS (yeah the guy who shipped it seriously fked up, and he refunded me half), it was worth 200USD, and UPS charged me like 87.50 CAD. so that chart is just bull crap.

Yup. And I got nailed for like $60CDN roughly on about a $170USD order through Fedex one time. Be warned. The type of product you bought DOES matter. Especially with clothing, as often it is made from different countries. I'm no expert but then all sorts of other taxes can come into play.

-xan-

[Rehan]

k the UPS is just bull. seriously I just got some stuff from states via UPS (yeah the guy who shipped it seriously fked up, and he refunded me half), it was worth 200USD, and UPS charged me like 87.50 CAD. so that chart is just bull crap.
Those rates are just the customs clearance fees. On top of that, you have to pay GST and PST on the customs clearance fees and on the value of the items imported...and UPS will probably tack on that $5.85 disbursement fee. All that comes pretty close to $80 for a US$200 item.


Be warned. The type of product you bought DOES matter. Especially with clothing, as often it is made from different countries. I'm no expert but then all sorts of other taxes can come into play.
Yup, duties can be charged in addition to the GST, PST and customs clearance fees.

[GangStarr]

fedex ground is resonable, they also drop off your package w/o forcing you to pay at the door unlike UPS

[Rockstead]

fedex ground is resonable, they also drop off your package w/o forcing you to pay at the door unlike UPS

In my experience this has been negative. First on the descretion of the driver, they are allowed to just leave the package in front of your door. My driver actually left a $2000 espresso machine just sitting there all day.

Worst off, they don't include anything that tells you that you owe duty, so there is nothing to refuse if you don't agree since they already dropped it off.

Then, about two weeks later you'll get a bill in the mail, in my case it was very expensive with brokerage charges, comparable to what ive been charged by UPS.

Lastly, at least if you know your UPS tracking #, you are then able to clear the through customs your self. The way I usually get nailed is, the seller promises they wont use UPS and then ends up using it instead and I dont end up getting to clear it through customs myself because I wasn't expecting it.

[virtual007]

not too bad, this contains your answer:

http://www.stokecity.ca/FTN-FXG%20Brokerage%20Schedule%2003-01-04%20English%20Version.pdf

This is outdated.
I bought Educational CD value for $40 and got charge $20 brokerage Fee + gst + pst.

[corrupt123]

Only semi related, but when you ship with USPS GXP (Global Express Priority or something) which is the highest shipping offer, they ship everything out of country (canada included) with Fedex.

HOWEVER - because it's coming from USPS originally, they take care of the paper work and the package basically just rides on a Fedex truck. I had a computer shipped up [to Toronto] from the states and I payed $170 to fedex, all for tax. Item value was marked at $1500.

[G to tha T]

paid $50 in customs and taxes for a $140 pair of shoes, and $88 for a $550 cellphone a while back :mad:

[chrza]

I was thinking of creating a thread about my own duties question, but since this one is here...

Would I have to pay PST on a bike being sent in from the US?

I only ask since bikes under a grand a expempt from PST in Ontario. I was wondering if that exemption also applied to bikes being shipped in?

The shipping method i'm looking at is Fedex International Priority and it includes brokerage fees.

[bubble.tea]

...The shipping method i'm looking at is Fedex International Priority and it includes brokerage fees.

where did you read this officially?

_>>>http://www.fedex.com/ca_english/international/customsservices/intbroker.html other link?

[Emancipated]

As bad as UPS is, at least you have the option of declining your package if the duties are exorbitant. With FedEx, you get an invoice in the mail in a couple of months and there isn't much room to dispute it. Either pay or it goes to collection.

[Riffer]

Fedex Ground is about the same as UPS Ground/Standard/Standard to Canada.

Keep in mind that for something large like a bike it may still be cheaper all-in to ship Fedex Ground than the alternatives.

[pfsantos]

For those finding this thread while searching brokerage fees between the U.S. and Canada...some updated costs, since some of the info found is out of date.

Note that you can avoid brokerage fees with UPS and Fedex by picking services that include brokerage (i.e. services that are more expensive than standard ground). FedEx also has a specific service which includes brokerage. Shop around. Sometimes, it's woth going with a faster method, since you get the item faster (hopefully) and brokerage is included.

Finally, remember to consider all costs when adding things up. Along with item price and shipping, add any insurance, add duties, brokerage fees, disbursement/bond fees (the shipper charges this for paying the duties before they get your money - you can sometimes avoid this by pre-paying), and taxes.

FedEx: http://images.fedex.com/ca_english/services/pdf/Ground_Rates09_EN.pdf

[pfsantos]

UPS Brokerage into Canada:

http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html?srch_pos=4&srch_phr=brokerage+fees

[Nat_]

I get everything ship USPS rather than Fedex or UPS.

[toalan]

brokerage is so bad, I go through a full bottle of KY each time a package is delivered.

[Ssseth]

For those finding this thread while searching brokerage fees between the U.S. and Canada...some updated costs, since some of the info found is out of date.

Note that you can avoid brokerage fees with UPS and Fedex by picking services that include brokerage (i.e. services that are more expensive than standard ground). FedEx also has a specific service which includes brokerage. Shop around. Sometimes, it's woth going with a faster method, since you get the item faster (hopefully) and brokerage is included.

Finally, remember to consider all costs when adding things up. Along with item price and shipping, add any insurance, add duties, brokerage fees, disbursement/bond fees (the shipper charges this for paying the duties before they get your money - you can sometimes avoid this by pre-paying), and taxes.

FedEx: http://images.fedex.com/ca_english/services/pdf/Ground_Rates09_EN.pdf
Thanks for the link, I had trouble finding the rate chart anywhere else. I should have done my homework before ordering. For some reason I thought UPS was the only one to charge the fees so I asked the seller to ship via FedEx. Although a bit cheaper I should have just asked for air deliverty or for them to ship via USPS... live and learn! I'm going to post the fee chart here just in case that link dies down the road. As of the writing of this post the fees are as follows (again this just for ground shipping via FedEx).

Ancillary Clearance Service Fees

Clearance Entry Fees —
U.S. to Canada*
Value for Duty (CAD$) (CAD$)
$0–$20 $0
$20.01–$40 $7
$40.01–$100 $19.45
$100.01–$200 $29
$200.01–$1,000 $40.30
$1,000.01–$1,600 $46.70
$1,600.01–$2,000 $52.74
$2,000.01+ $6.03 for each additional $1,000

[mtl4]

If I were having a set of rims (value $630) sent from California and the seller insists on using Fedex (charged me $175), any idea on what type of charges I'm looking at when they arrive? NB uses HST at 13% so I know they'll tack that on too, but I'm not sure if that goes on the value of the item ($630) or if it is 13% of the rims AND shipping costs ($630 + $175). Any insight on this would be most helpful.

I usually just use USPS to avoid this mess completely but it wasn't an option this time.

[RastaManMax]

I figured i'd give UPS a try after all these years and ended up getting nailed for over $20 on brake pads that cost $38. Never again. I have no idea where they came up with the charges but i just paid the damn thing.

Use USPS whenever ordering anything worth over $0.01 from the US and avoid the headaches. Even if you save a couple bucks up front, you'll get nailed when it comes in.

[windforcexx28]

You should just avoid using carriers with brokerage fees in general. Last year I was charged $40 brokerage fee for something that I bought for $60 USD... I can't believe I paid the guy.. it was UPS.

[kingrukus]

I received a $50 package from fed-ex recently, but there was no mention of brokerage/duties when I received it. Should I expect to receive a bill later?

[coolman217]

I recently dealt with a bone-headed company that shipped my package thru UPS Grounds from the US to GVR when I specifically wrote down to an US address.


For those that do not want to get hit with the ridiculous brokerage fees, do the following:

1) Once your order has been shipped, call UPS and tell them you will clear your own package; The package will be shipped to the nearest hub to your city. They will have paperwork for you to pick up

2) Pick up your paperwork and go to the nearest CBSA and have them process the paperwork. Bring your receipt (or copy of packing slip provided by shipper, commercial invoice, etc.)

3) Pay the taxes and maybe duties owing.

4) Take the stamped paperwork back to UPS and pick up your package


It should take you around 1-2 hours max from picking up the paperwork to getting your package. Took me an hour, nothing more. You should be able to do that with Fedex Grounds as well.

[coolman217]

I received a $50 package from fed-ex recently, but there was no mention of brokerage/duties when I received it. Should I expect to receive a bill later?

There is a chance that you might receive a bill.

[Ssseth]

USPS is definitely the way to go to be safe.

Apparently shipping via UPS of Fed-Ex air avoids the brokerage fees, it's ground where they hit you. This doesn't exclude from possible duties and tax of course.


I received a $50 package from fed-ex recently, but there was no mention of brokerage/duties when I received it. Should I expect to receive a bill later?
It's possible. Was it shipped via air or ground? Ground is the trucks with the green lettering, air is the the trucks with orange lettering. You could always call them and ask, they should have it on record.



I recently dealt with a bone-headed company that shipped my package thru UPS Grounds from the US to GVR when I specifically wrote down to an US address.


For those that do not want to get hit with the ridiculous brokerage fees, do the following:

1) Once your order has been shipped, call UPS and tell them you will clear your own package; The package will be shipped to the nearest hub to your city. They will have paperwork for you to pick up

2) Pick up your paperwork and go to the nearest CBSA and have them process the paperwork. Bring your receipt (or copy of packing slip provided by shipper, commercial invoice, etc.)

3) Pay the taxes and maybe duties owing.

4) Take the stamped paperwork back to UPS and pick up your package


It should take you around 1-2 hours max from picking up the paperwork to getting your package. Took me an hour, nothing more. You should be able to do that with Fedex Grounds as well.
Interesting idea if you are close to the border I guess. I'm in Edmonton so not an option for me.