[gnarlyswine]

I never purchase from anywhere that ships UPS , in or out of Canada. And I make a point of letting sellers know that it is due to the undisclosed brokerage fee practice when items cross the border. There is no justification for it if they wont disclose how the tarrifs are calculated. As far as im concerned that is pretty much fraud.
Ill happily pay any customs fee or tax incured through shipping via USPS as I am satisfied that they are legitimate.
I agree that although it is a legal requirement , paying tax on a used item (not import duty) is morally wrong and as far as I am concerned the Govt is cheating its citizens. A Tax has already been paid on that item.

For the most part I have generally read that if you live near a border it may be worthwhile renting a US postyal box and collecting from that address to avoid a number of the fees.

[Psycho D]

Originally Posted by gnarlyswine

I never purchase from anywhere that ships UPS , in or out of Canada. And I make a point of letting sellers know that it is due to the undisclosed brokerage fee practice when items cross the border. There is no justification for it if they wont disclose how the tarrifs are calculated. As far as im concerned that is pretty much fraud.
Ill happily pay any customs fee or tax incured through shipping via USPS as I am satisfied that they are legitimate.
I agree that although it is a legal requirement , paying tax on a used item (not import duty) is morally wrong and as far as I am concerned the Govt is cheating its citizens. A Tax has already been paid on that item.

For the most part I have generally read that if you live near a border it may be worthwhile renting a US postyal box and collecting from that address to avoid a number of the fees.

Actually, both UPS and FedEx will disclose to you how their fees are calculated. All you have to do is phone them. I have a list from both companies as to how much brokerage they charge based on the value of the shipment. As a rule any shipment valued at more than $20.00 CDN shipped to Canada is charged brokerage, any shipment sent to the U.S. from Canada with a value of more than $200.00 is charged brokerage.
Brokerage is charged in increments as the value of the shipment goes up and only pertains to Ground shipments.
That being said, I agree with the rest of your post, especially about fees being charged and how we get ripped off in the first place or on used goods and the post office is definitely the only way to go.
If I have to use UPS or FedEx to get something from the U.S. I have the shipper place a $20.00 value on it or call it a gift, if possible, that way there is no brokerage, however the only problem with that is if the package goes missing or gets lost, they will only reimburse you the declared value of the shipment. It's kind of a Catch 22.
Fortunately, I do live close to the U.S. border and I have a mailing address in the States so I can pick up packages and save money in shipping costs.
Even shipping to Canada without brokerage fees is still very expensive so this helps a lot. Just my $0.02

[gnarlyswine]

Well maybe the issues with lack of clarity Ive had have been more local then. I have called (UPS) - I have not been afforded and explanation. (UPS delivery is also hopeless in my area - and ive no doubt that is very much a local issue). I send quite a lot by various courier services through my work and have become aware of certain depots and areas that are more problematic.

"As a rule any shipment valued at more than $20.00 CDN shipped to Canada is charged brokerage, any shipment sent to the U.S. from Canada with a value of more than $200.00 is charged brokerage."

That is beyond F$$$$d up and I have to wonder if its even legal under NAFTA - its the same trade structure / harmonization either way so how can it be justified that Canada pays so much more ? So I wont be a party to it.

I know its an issue thats been discussed ad nauseum , and not likely to be going away anytime soon. Its just unfortunate that many US retailers are very unaware of what happens when they ship over the border and still happily use UPS as a result - losing customers. I know there is an argument for supporting local retailers and I do to some extent agree. if its available localy and not vastly more expensive I will purchase there instead. But if we are being bent over pricewise because of being a captive market then really - why on earth do we put up with NAFTA?

[Psycho D]

Originally Posted by gnarlyswine

"As a rule any shipment valued at more than $20.00 CDN shipped to Canada is charged brokerage, any shipment sent to the U.S. from Canada with a value of more than $200.00 is charged brokerage."

That is beyond F$$$$d up and I have to wonder if its even legal under NAFTA - its the same trade structure / harmonization either way so how can it be justified that Canada pays so much more ? So I wont be a party to it.

I know its an issue thats been discussed ad nauseum , and not likely to be going away anytime soon. Its just unfortunate that many US retailers are very unaware of what happens when they ship over the border and still happily use UPS as a result - losing customers. I know there is an argument for supporting local retailers and I do to some extent agree. if its available localy and not vastly more expensive I will purchase there instead. But if we are being bent over pricewise because of being a captive market then really - why on earth do we put up with NAFTA?

Unfortunately, brokerage rates are set by the courier companies and have nothing to do with NAFTA. There is more commerce that comes North from the U.S. then goes South from Canada, so that is why they have such a low package value coming North as they make more money that way. Most companies in the U.S will ship USPS to Canada, however there are a few that will only use UPS or FedEx, but, IMHO they don't really care about getting business from Canada anyway. I do hear what your saying but it seems our legitimate complaints are landing on Deaf Ears.

[AzaTuR (Banned)]

Shipped a $30 Proflex to Canada for $30, ****ed up much?

[dabest123 (Banned)]

.

[Psycho D]

Originally Posted by dabest123

I am trying to make a deal with a canadian person and i saw this bst post....

12) IF you're shipping to Canada from the states. Make sure you have your money or goods first or that you use a third party. By law in Canada, if a person receives goods with out paying for them first they're considered a gift and the Canadian police can do nothing even if you have a 100 foot stack of evidence.

I was wondering if this was true? Like if the guy ended up scamming me i just need to know if i contacted the authorities if they would do anything or not. Any info would be appreciated.

Sounds kind of dubious to me. AFAIK, As long as you can prove you paid for something and can also prove you didn't receive what you paid for, you should have a case. That being said, if you have doubt's about the person you're buying from then do not have the shipment sent as a gift. It might cost you a bit more in Paypal fees but at least you have recourse if the guy stiffs you on the deal. First rule in buying something, IMHO, unless you trust this person implicitly, don't have it sent as a gift.

[Canadian Killa (Banned)]

.

[Psycho D]

Originally Posted by Canadian Killa

Im not sure saw it in bst tips...why would they have it in there if it wasnt true?

LOL, this is the Canadian Government we're talking about here. Those guys are a bunch of idiots at the best of times. One hand never knows what the other hand is doing. It is possible that it's true but I would find it very hard to believe that if you can prove you paid for something and didn't receive it you have recourse to go to the police. The best thing to do is call CBSA (Canadian Border Services Agency) and ask them, that way you'll know for sure.

[carolina renegades]

Originally Posted by Psycho D

LOL, this is the Canadian Government we're talking about here. Those guys are a bunch of idiots at the best of times. One hand never knows what the other hand is doing. It is possible that it's true but I would find it very hard to believe that if you can prove you paid for something and didn't receive it you have recourse to go to the police. The best thing to do is call CBSA (Canadian Border Services Agency) and ask them, that way you'll know for sure.

and get put on hold for 3 hrs...no thanks. so im guessing that when you select the shipping method the U.S. company they include the fee if using USPS. is that correct? I really dont know why it has to be so hard. We already pay taxes out our a sses on EVERYTHING else.

[Psycho D]

Originally Posted by carolina renegades

and get put on hold for 3 hrs...no thanks. so im guessing that when you select the shipping method the U.S. company they include the fee if using USPS. is that correct? I really dont know why it has to be so hard. We already pay taxes out our a sses on EVERYTHING else.

Actually, I've never waited more than 5 minutes when talking to the CBSA. If the company you buy from in the U.S. ships USPS, all the taxes are paid by you (Based on CDN $) plus a $5.00 charge to Canada post. As long as the product you are buying is made in Canada, U.S. or Mexico there are no dutiable fees. All you pay is the PST/GST or HST depending on which province you live plus the $5.00 to Canada Post.

[carolina renegades]

Originally Posted by Psycho D

Actually, I've never waited more than 5 minutes when talking to the CBSA. If the company you buy from in the U.S. ships USPS, all the taxes are paid by you (Based on CDN $) plus a $5.00 charge to Canada post. As long as the product you are buying is made in Canada, U.S. or Mexico there are no dutiable fees. All you pay is the PST/GST or HST depending on which province you live plus the $5.00 to Canada Post.

okay. so who do I pay these extra fees to? the post delivery guy?

[Psycho D]

Originally Posted by carolina renegades

okay. so who do I pay these extra fees to? the post delivery guy?

Yep, you pay the applicable taxes to the Canada Post Guy (If the stuff is shipped USPS) and they submit them to the Government.

[zoomer]

Something you should be aware of is ... Make sure the tank your buying has a TC stamp on it or no one in Canada can legally fill it and you can't ad a TC stamp on to it either. I got lucky and sold it to a guy that worked at a paintball field so he could fill his own tank , but three diffenent stores would not fill the tank with no TC stamp. Friggin guy that sold it to me never told me that ... bugger. ><

Originally Posted by Shadows_fall

^^^ I was planning on buying a tank from the states, would it get through with the regulator removed?

[playing in traffic]

DONT SHIP VIA UPS/FEDEX/DHL TO CANADA

After a screaming match with UPS on the phone for over an hour theyre saying they cant clear the package containing a paintball marker. Apparently customs doesnt allow them to do so, this includes UPS/FEDEX/DHL. You would have to drive to the boarder where the package is being held and clear it your self. For me this is a four hour round trip plus time dealing with them at the boarder, so back to sender my marker goes

ONLY USE USPS and for discription use "USED PAINTBALL MARKER".

[Flakeloaf]

Wow traffic, that's a horrible story. Sorry to hear your UPS clearance drone was an idiot. He probably got hung up on the definition of "replica firearm" or said the G-word to the Canadian customs agent, and that's why they couldn't put your package through.

I've shipped paintball guns cross-border from the states to myself with UPS a few times. While it wasn't a pleasant experience I did eventually get my stuff. And a nice bill from PBB Global Logistics.

Use only USPS. Insist on it. Make "Drive to Buffalo" your plan B, and consider parcel services afterward.

[JOHNNY G]

Just got my marq there shipped USPS and I had to pay 65.27 at the door I'm so pisses off. It's not wroth dealing with people from the USA

[playing in traffic]

The only way to avoid paying those charges is to have the seller lie about the declared value on the customs form when shipping. Might I add that isnt really legal.

[griffyn17]

Okay if u dont know someone that lives right near border ship it to a ups store then go across and pick it up only costs 5 bucks call ups store before u do it and they will tell u wat to do

[mick.caron]

someone ever had problem shipping barrels?

like a barrel alone, or a tip alone....

[playing in traffic]

Nope. Just have the seller mark the package as "used sporting goods" and you shouldnt have an issue.