Buying from eBay Seller but shipped in UPS? Anyone

[TorontoEh]

Hi all, i recently bought an item from ebay and the seller somehow shipped it through UPS instead of USPS but the good thing is the items isn't marked or worth more than $12US.

So my Q is, after paying s/h of $10, anychance that the UPS will charge me duties? even on $12?

Can anyone share their experiences with sellers who shipped with UPS in canada?

[3weddings]

I've bought items which were marked under $20 and I still paid a $20 Brokerage Fee on them, no duties or taxes, just brokerage. :mad:

In fact, I just received a $130 invoice from UPS for an item that was delivered to us in January!!!! They say this is absolutely consistent with their terms, as they don't always have time to 'inspect' every item!

[TorontoEh]

I've bought items which were marked under $20 and I still paid a $20 Brokerage Fee on them, no duties or taxes, just brokerage. :mad:

In fact, I just received a $130 invoice from UPS for an item that was delivered to us in January!!!! They say this is absolutely consistent with their terms, as they don't always have time to 'inspect' every item!

hi 3weddings, wow ! $130? im assuimg it was large item or high prized?

Ok my situation - Here;s the bizzare part, I haven't even paid for the item (which is $12) on ebay, and the seller already shipped it to me ? now telling me by UPS!!!!

CAN I DENY SHIPPMENT when ups arrives at my door?

[gilead]

UPS suck and their brokerage fees suck even more. You can get around them by clearing the item yourself, requires a bit of leg and paperwork but for higher priced items it's worth the effort.
Always try to find sellers who will ship USPS
PS If items are shipped Express with UPS it includes all brokerage fees (it reflects in the shipping cost)but at least you see it up front.

[TorontoEh]

UPS suck and their brokerage fees suck even more. You can get around them by clearing the item yourself, requires a bit of leg and paperwork but for higher priced items it's worth the effort.
Always try to find sellers who will ship USPS
PS If items are shipped Express with UPS it includes all brokerage fees (it reflects in the shipping cost)but at least you see it up front.

So you think in my situation, if the item costs $10 and shipped for $12, that be express i guess?

I'm probably gonna say NO if they ask for brokerage since the item only is $10.....

My mistake will always look for USPS....

[cliff]

you can refuse shippments from UPS they will return it to the sender.

Total cost (standard shipping+brokerage fees) is normally pretty close to the cost of air shipping, if you must ship ups - get it shipped air, at least the cost will be known upfront.

I have had a difficult seller ship UPS after agreeing to USPS, and he inflated the value after a low final selling price on ebay (I suspect he didn't want to sell it for that price), moral of the story, shipment was refused, seller didn't want to refund, ebay dispute=I won, full refund. Still the hole process was a pain in the butt.

[TorontoEh]

you can refuse shippments from UPS they will return it to the sender.

Total cost (standard shipping+brokerage fees) is normally pretty close to the cost of air shipping, if you must ship ups - get it shipped air, at least the cost will be known upfront.

I have had a difficult seller ship UPS after agreeing to USPS, and he inflated the value after a low final selling price on ebay (I suspect he didn't want to sell it for that price), moral of the story, shipment was refused, seller didn't want to refund, ebay dispute=I won, full refund. Still the hole process was a pain in the butt.

Oh okay! thanks.....In my case, the guy said he wont know the price util he ships, so I havent paid him.....

[batye]

http://www.poynerbaxter.com/UPS.htm

http://www.thegatesofdawn.ca/wordpress/posts/2006/12/10/ups-brokerage-fee-class-action/

[harryt]

since when does UPS charge? I've got package and never been charged upfront? I just bought 2 items under 10 bucks including shipping via UPS, still haven't arrived, but I've never had to pay any fee's... :confused:

[TorontoEh]

since when does UPS charge? I've got package and never been charged upfront? I just bought 2 items under 10 bucks including shipping via UPS, still haven't arrived, but I've never had to pay any fee's... :confused:

ok, keep me updated on your item situation and i'll do the same...:-0

[bug]

There should be no brokerage fees on items with a claimed value of $20 Canadian or less. Google "UPS Brokerage Fees" to see their brokerage rates.

[YnD]

Hi all, i recently bought an item from ebay and the seller somehow shipped it through UPS instead of USPS but the good thing is the items isn't marked or worth more than $12US.

So my Q is, after paying s/h of $10, anychance that the UPS will charge me duties? even on $12?

Can anyone share their experiences with sellers who shipped with UPS in canada?

Unless its an item you NEED couriered to your doorstep reliably (I suppose) then use UPS.

If its a seller who runs an actual ebay business...there's not much you can do because they probably have a business deal/account with them and use them for all shipping. They also cant do anything about the value of the item or the Government will catch it in their business taxes (assuming its a registered business).

Now if its just any other seller... ask for USPS...request nicely to mark it as a gift... or at least a low value... and boom... no duties/taxes for you. Or at least very minimal./

I've never had to pay anything for an incoming shipment using USPS...

but UPS charged me $60 duty/tax on a $150 pair of jeans. I complained to UPS... they ignored me. I actually requested a breakdown on how the $60 came to be. Only the statement that just listed the fee.

Just my 2 cents.

[AMD]

Last week I received a cable I had bought on eBay.

Paid 10$ for the cable and UPS wanted 42$ in brokerage/duties.

So back it went!

I called and they said that under 20$ there are not fees, but the seller had put a value of 50$ on the package...

They said they could not do anything... Which is crap.

Always ask sellers to ship with USPS...

[apvm]

If the seller is willing to ship USPS and mark item as gift, usually no tax...but sometimes Canadian customs decides they'll charge you duties....in that case it'll be $5 brokeage fee from Canada Post plus GST PST of the value declared by sender. Much much better than UPS or Fedex fee

[harryt]

like I said.. I've gotten packages from UPS and NEVER had to pay any fees at all. Mabye it's different in T.O, not really sure? But here in B.C I've never had to pay UPS fees.

[Havo]

UPS is total crap. That brokerage fee is just rape on small items. Really not worthwhile to buy stuff from the US if they ship via UPS. USPS is better but there's still the chance that you might get hit with duties. International shipping is not cool altogether.

[Kasakato]

Bought a $50 GPS on ebay, had the seller claim its worth $15 on the enclosed invoice. No charge when it arrived today!

[woof]

The charges are based strictly on what the sender puts on the customs form. For under C$ 20.00 there are no duties or taxes or brokerage charges. This is true for all carriers including UPS. If the item was marked as worth US$12.00 on the customs form you will have no problem with UPS.

[tigger03]

stay FAR AWAY from UPS. I've been buying (and selling) stuff on ebay for the past 5 years ... UPS charges ridiculous "fees" .... stick with USPS, who I've never had a problem with!

[DJXP]

out of curiousity does anyone know why the US can have a large value item sent to them and not get charged anything , but we get dinged for anything over $20 in value?

[Shar]

The allowable pre-tax import limit (if that's the correct term, but you get the idea) for Americans is something like $200 USD. It's just what their government sets their limit to.

I used to work for a company that sold a lot of stuff to the USA over the internet, and I know I've seen the information on an American government website before. I'll try Googling for an actual source.

Edit: US Customs and Border Protection has a page about Internet purchases (http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/infrequent_importer_info/internet_purchases.xml):

International Postal Service: Merchandise shipped through the international postal service is forwarded upon its arrival in the United States to one of U.S. Customs and Border Protection International Mail Branches for clearance. If the item is less than $2,000 in value and is not subject to a quota or is not a restricted or prohibited item, a CBP official will usually prepare the paperwork for importing it, assess the proper duty, and release it for delivery. This procedure is generally referred to as a mail entry.

Packages whose declared value is under $200 ($100 if being sent as a gift to someone other than the purchaser) will generally be cleared without any additional paperwork prepared by CBP. However, CBP always reserves the right to require a formal entry for any importation and generally exercises this option if there is something unusual about the importation, or if important documents such as an invoice or bill of sale do not accompany the item.

If any duty is owed, CBP will charge a processing fee for clearing your package. Duty and the processing fee are usually paid at your local post office, where your package is forwarded.

Lucky bastards. Though, I'm assuming folks in the USA don't buy stuff from outside the USA too often.

[selpats]

stay FAR AWAY from UPS. I've been buying (and selling) stuff on ebay for the past 5 years ... UPS charges ridiculous "fees" .... stick with USPS, who I've never had a problem with!

That is just bad information. There are no fees depending on what level of service you get, why don't you look into it before making yourself look like a fool...

[TorontoEh]

There should be no brokerage fees on items with a claimed value of $20 Canadian or less. Google "UPS Brokerage Fees" to see their brokerage rates.

You're very right! I just got my package last night, no brokerage, just single items shipped :)

thanks

[TorontoEh]

The charges are based strictly on what the sender puts on the customs form. For under C$ 20.00 there are no duties or taxes or brokerage charges. This is true for all carriers including UPS. If the item was marked as worth US$12.00 on the customs form you will have no problem with UPS.

Yeah, it's weird, I bougt the item for $13.20 but he marked $20 but did stated GIFT :)

[tigger03]

customs is usually a hit or miss ... I've been dinged before, but I recently bought a digital camera for Xmas was was charged $0 in duties, and $0 in brokerage as it was shipped via USPS :twisted:

[dmdsoftware2]

There is no fees for any item under $20 CDN. Some people might be confusing the fact the declare form from the USA may have some amount under $20 USD, but since that amount is in USD, the conversion price is what matters. A few years ago, I received an item marked $18 USD, but at that time, it converted to > $20 CDN, so I ended up getting dinged for > $20 CDN in brokerage fees etc. Definitely wise to avoid them like the plague.

I too had the misfornate incident of requesting USPS on an item once. I discussed with the seller if he could use USPS instead of UPS before bidding. He agreed and said that it will be $30 instead of $25 with UPS. So when I paid, I paid the $30 and wrote in the comments "paying for USPS shipping instead of UPS", and sent him a reminder email to ship USPS. So what does the a**hole do? He ships UPS Standard of course. When it arrived across the border, it had something like $75 CDN in fees (for a $60 item I believe). The first delivery attempt I had a parent outright refuse it. The second and third attempts they left notification stickers. In the third, there was a note saying I have 7 days to pick it up. At this point I told the seller he screwed up and that unless he sends me $75 for the fees, he can expect the package to bounce back. 7 days pass and the following Monday, I get a delivery attempt in the evening hours 5-9pm with a notification sticker. Two more attempts that week. Then I get a phone call from UPS asking me if I want the package. I told them to send it back as I don't agree to the fees. The following day the parcel is sitting on my door step and on the fees statement the word "waved" written across it.

[dmdsoftware2]

Yeah, it's weird, I bougt the item for $13.20 but he marked $20 but did stated GIFT :)

The no-duty value for gifts is $60 instead of $20. Also, if it is a gift and above $60, they are suppose to only tax or add duty on for the price - $60. They tend to forget this, and you have to send in the paper work to get the amount adjusted.

[dmdsoftware2]

So you think in my situation, if the item costs $10 and shipped for $12, that be express i guess?

I'm probably gonna say NO if they ask for brokerage since the item only is $10.....

My mistake will always look for USPS....

Express is something different. It's usually 2-3 delivery service that is offered, but the price is 6x-10x more. So, if your standard rate is $10 delivery, it might be $60-$100 with express. With express, there are no 'brokerage fees' but they still ding you with taxes and a slight handling fee. The express fees are more in line with what you would expect to pay if the package was shipped with any delivery method by USPS.

[YnD]

That is just bad information. There are no fees depending on what level of service you get, why don't you look into it before making yourself look like a fool...

Dude... its true... at least here in Toronto...

ANY item I've received via UPS was over $20... and the customer/duty was always either half...or almost equivalent to the price I bought the item for...

However... USPS... Marked as and gift I've NEVER had to pay... even on $300 pair of sunglasses.. a $400 cell phone... etc....

USPS is the way to receive from the US...

[TorontoEh]

Dude... its true... at least here in Toronto...

ANY item I've received via UPS was over $20... and the customer/duty was always either half...or almost equivalent to the price I bought the item for...

However... USPS... Marked as and gift I've NEVER had to pay... even on $300 pair of sunglasses.. a $400 cell phone... etc....

[QUOTE=YnD;5306841]USPS is the way to receive from the US...


Yep! I've bought many times on eBay and even expensive items...never a problem..... knock on wood :)

[Shar]

That is just bad information. There are no fees depending on what level of service you get, why don't you look into it before making yourself look like a fool...

Are you sure? I've been charged pretty insane brokerage on a Dreamcast game I bought from the USA. It was the first and last time I've received (believe me, it felt like I was receiving in more ways that one) anything sent outside of Canada by UPS Standard.

If you get something sent to you by UPS Standard, you're subject to some pretty hefty brokerage fees, based on the value of the package. There's entire fee chart (http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html) on their website. I guess you could opt to broker the package yourself, but it's probably too much of a hassle for a sweater or any other small purchase.

The service levels above Standard have their brokerage fees included, but the cost is so much higher that it kills any potential deals that may have been had.

[input]

I'm in the middle of bidding on something worth nearly $200 US. The seller's method of shipping is UPS Standard. I'm afraid of being charged brokerage fees. That's why I'm going to ask the seller to change it.

What are the other solutions rather than UPS Standard?

How about DHL, Fedex or USPS? Which is the best?

[Firefoxer]

Fedex and UPS have atrocious charges when it comes to custom fees.
Seems like DHL brokerage can be free if you set up a prepayment account.
From DHL.ca :
"
DHL Customs Brokerage Service5/10/2007

Effective February 6, 2006, DHL Canada will implement a disbursement charge for all air shipments requiring customs brokerage services. The fee applies when funds for duties and taxes are not provided in advance to DHL by the customer. The disbursement fee will be 2.5% of the value of the funds provided, or a minimum charge of $7.00. A charge will also be applied for additional line classification and entry. A $4.00 charge will be applied to the 6th and any subsequent lines. The disbursement fee covers part of our administrative and financing costs relating to the amounts we pay to customs on your behalf.

DHL Customers can take advantage of the following alternatives to avoid paying the disbursement charge:

1) Set up a prepayment account with DHL that allows us to debit your account on a weekly basis to cover regular duties and taxes payments to Canada Customs, or;

2) Set up an Electronic Funds Transfer with DHL to automatically cover duties and taxes payments.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, or would like more information, please call 1-800 CALL DHL (1-800-225-5345).
"

USPS to Canada post its 5$+taxes. Thats it. Next time don't bid before you are sure the seller will ship it to you with USPS.

[Shar]

I think the best route is to go with the USPS. Stuff sent through the USPS is delivered here by Canada Post, and the brokerage charge is $5 plus taxes.

According to the UPS Standard chart (http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html), an item valued at $100.01 to $200 CAD is a fee of $29 CAD plus taxes. An item valued at $200.01 to $350 CAD is a fee of $38.92 plus taxes. I'd assume FedEx, DHL, or any other courier company will charge a similar amount, but you may want to check their websites.

That said, I've actually seen a few American companies charge Canadian taxes so that you avoid brokerage charges completely. I bought a few shirts from Threadless recently, and they charge (I think) PST. As a result, there are no additional fees at the door. They use DHL, but I think charging Canadian taxes outside of Canada is something you specifically have to register for. I'm completely guessing about that, though.

If you have no choice but UPS, I guess your options are to
a) upgrade from Standard, which probably will cost you a ton
b) tell UPS you'll fill out the customs paperwork yourself, which I'm not entirely sure how to do, but I'm under the impression it takes a lot of time. Googling will probably find you what you need to know.
c) Get the seller to mark the package's value as under $20 CAD so you avoid the taxes altogether. However, since whatever you're bidding on is worth a fair amount of money, if it gets lost or damaged in transit, you'll only be covered for that $20.

Honestly, if I see UPS Standard as the only reasonable shipping option, I just stay away. It sucks, but the UPS brokerage charges are just that brutal.

[gheart008]

Bought a $50 GPS on ebay, had the seller claim its worth $15 on the enclosed invoice. No charge when it arrived today!

Just because you weren't charged today, doesn't mean you won't get charge some time down the future where they just send you a letter stating that you owe them money. It's happened many times, including myself.

I once paid for a $20 video card off eBay and it was shipped UPS (first time for me, never again as I learned from my mistake), and I was charged $30 in brokerage fees.

[Firefoxer]

b) tell UPS you'll fill out the customs paperwork yourself, which I'm not entirely sure how to do, but I'm under the impression it takes a lot of time. Googling will probably find you what you need to know.


http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/home/courierfees/steps.html
You can also get it resolved at Canada post for 5$+the tax you owe.

[Kasakato]

Just because you weren't charged today, doesn't mean you won't get charge some time down the future where they just send you a letter stating that you owe them money. It's happened many times, including myself.

I once paid for a $20 video card off eBay and it was shipped UPS (first time for me, never again as I learned from my mistake), and I was charged $30 in brokerage fees.

The declared value, and the value UPS has on file is $15. There are no brokerage charges or duties or taxes applicable to such an item.

[Kasakato]

I think the best route is to go with the USPS. Stuff sent through the USPS is delivered here by Canada Post, and the brokerage charge is $5 plus taxes.

According to the UPS Standard chart (http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html), an item valued at $100.01 to $200 CAD is a fee of $29 CAD plus taxes. An item valued at $200.01 to $350 CAD is a fee of $38.92 plus taxes. I'd assume FedEx, DHL, or any other courier company will charge a similar amount, but you may want to check their websites.

That said, I've actually seen a few American companies charge Canadian taxes so that you avoid brokerage charges completely. I bought a few shirts from Threadless recently, and they charge (I think) PST. As a result, there are no additional fees at the door. They use DHL, but I think charging Canadian taxes outside of Canada is something you specifically have to register for. I'm completely guessing about that, though.

If you have no choice but UPS, I guess your options are to
a) upgrade from Standard, which probably will cost you a ton
b) tell UPS you'll fill out the customs paperwork yourself, which I'm not entirely sure how to do, but I'm under the impression it takes a lot of time. Googling will probably find you what you need to know.
c) Get the seller to mark the package's value as under $20 CAD so you avoid the taxes altogether. However, since whatever you're bidding on is worth a fair amount of money, if it gets lost or damaged in transit, you'll only be covered for that $20.

Honestly, if I see UPS Standard as the only reasonable shipping option, I just stay away. It sucks, but the UPS brokerage charges are just that brutal.

To clear the item yourself, you must be at the port of entry. Unless you happen to live where its coming into Canada, its probably cheaper to let UPS do it. You could always find another company to do it for you. (Never done so myself)

[stevelam]

Hi all, i recently bought an item from ebay and the seller somehow shipped it through UPS instead of USPS but the good thing is the items isn't marked or worth more than $12US.

So my Q is, after paying s/h of $10, anychance that the UPS will charge me duties? even on $12?

Can anyone share their experiences with sellers who shipped with UPS in canada?

i avoid every single ebay listing that ships solely via UPS. the brokerage charges are just beyond RIDICULOUS.

[LonesomeDove]

Here's my UPS Horror story. A few years ago I bought something from ebay valued around US $120.00 (including shipping). At that time the exchange rate cost me 40%, so the value was around CDN$ 168. They shipped it via UPS and I was dinged CDN$ 60.00! So the final value of the item was around CDN $230. It would have been cheaper if I bought that item in Canada!
I've learned my lession and now always skip ebay sellers that only use UPS. If you buy anything from the US over $20 be sure to specify USPS.
The only exception for using UPS or FEDEX is for companies that have a agreement with Canada customs that includes GST and PST. ie. Apple Inc.

[input]

The seller just replied to me and agreed to ship through USPS! :D

I don't understand why all of you would just avoid people who use UPS. If you don't want them to ship through UPS, it won't hurt to just ask if they can use a different method of shipping.

[optimo]

Hi all, i recently bought an item from ebay and the seller somehow shipped it through UPS instead of USPS but the good thing is the items isn't marked or worth more than $12US.

So my Q is, after paying s/h of $10, anychance that the UPS will charge me duties? even on $12?

Can anyone share their experiences with sellers who shipped with UPS in canada?

$20 US is the magic number. Anything lower than that will not be charged any brokerage.

[Siefer999]

The seller just replied to me and agreed to ship through USPS! :D

I don't understand why all of you would just avoid people who use UPS. If you don't want them to ship through UPS, it won't hurt to just ask if they can use a different method of shipping.

many ebay companies have shipping accounts with UPS and simply refuse to ship any other way because they make money off the shipping fees since their fees are less than what it would be if they didnt have an account.

others have integrated checkout systems with UPS attached to it. some have the items prepackaged in UPS boxes and bags and simply need to put a sticker on it to send out.

it is usually the smaller ebay companies/sellers that are more accommodating but yea, it doesnt hurt to ask.

[dmdsoftware2]

$20 US is the magic number. Anything lower than that will not be charged any brokerage.

Anything lower than $20 CAD will not be charged. CAD being the key word. Customs automatically converts the amount on the claim form from USD to CAD to determine if it meets the magic $20 CAD and $60 CAD (for gifts) thresholds.

[dmdsoftware2]

Here's my UPS Horror story. A few years ago I bought something from ebay valued around US $120.00 (including shipping). At that time the exchange rate cost me 40%, so the value was around CDN$ 168. They shipped it via UPS and I was dinged CDN$ 60.00! So the final value of the item was around CDN $230. It would have been cheaper if I bought that item in Canada!
I've learned my lession and now always skip ebay sellers that only use UPS. If you buy anything from the US over $20 be sure to specify USPS.
The only exception for using UPS or FEDEX is for companies that have a agreement with Canada customs that includes GST and PST. ie. Apple Inc.

It's not that they have an 'agreement' but they use an account that gets the duties charged to the account. Some other business also do this. The item still gets hit with fees, probably less so than normal in order to entice those business to use UPS, but definitely someone ends up paying those fees. To the receiver it is completely hidden. You don't actually see the fees that the seller ended up paying for the parcel when it crossed the border.

[BD006]

The seller just replied to me and agreed to ship through USPS! :D

I don't understand why all of you would just avoid people who use UPS. If you don't want them to ship through UPS, it won't hurt to just ask if they can use a different method of shipping.

As someone else said, many sellers on eBay refuse to change their shipping methods because of accounts, and I'm sure many of us HAVE asked before. You were fortunate your seller did not mind.

IMO, it's just easier to avoid looking at auctions with UPS/FedEx only.

Also, just curious, did/will your shipping charges go up?

[input]

As someone else said, many sellers on eBay refuse to change their shipping methods because of accounts, and I'm sure many of us HAVE asked before. You were fortunate your seller did not mind.

IMO, it's just easier to avoid looking at auctions with UPS/FedEx only.

Also, just curious, did/will your shipping charges go up?

It didn't go up. The seller is only asking for a flat rate of $20 for the UPS Standard. So, I asked him to change the method of shipping equivalent to UPS Standard in terms of speed and price, offered by USPS.