Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Learnt something new today.
I bought a lens from a guy in the US. He sent the lens via FedEx ground even though I specifically asked him to send it by USPS only. I know about the brokerage fee that the courier will hit you with. I once paid $80 in fees and taxes on a flash worth $200 because the guy sent it by UPS. So this time, to my surprise, I got an email from FedEx telling me that I have a package on hold and asking me if I have my own broker and if not, they will provide an agent to clear custom for me. I told them that would like to clear custom myself and do not want to paid them brokerage fee. To my surprise, they said OK and faxed the paperwork to me. I went to the customs office and cleared custom myself after paying the taxes. I then went to FedEx to pickup my lens with no brokerage fee! The custom clearance was a breeze also, they asked me how much the lens cost, I told them $400 (should have said much less) and they asked a couple of questions like who sent you the lens etc. So at the end I paid only $44 which is much less than I expected.
So next time if you are in the same situatioin, ask to do a self clearance and save the brokerage fee.

always wanted to try this.

Where is the customs office? Was the package already on hold in Toronto, or did they ship it closer to you once you said you would clear customs yourself?

That is really good info! Thanks for posting..... I've bought things from the US before, and had a variety of horror stories with both UPS and FedEX. I'll keep that in mind next time.

The trick is how to you get them to ask you and not force you to pay those ridiculous fees?

Wonder if this can be done for UPS orders

Yes.... that is for sure.

The process is well documented. Use internets.

And yes, UPS will allow you to self-broker as well.

Good to know, in Barrie the Customs office is right around the corner from me at Big Bay Point and Huronia.

Th customer office I went to is the one in Brampton near Steeles and Hurontario. The package is already at the Fedex Ground depot at Goreway drive.

I don't know what caused them to email me, I think one important thing is that the seller included my email ID when he shipped it.

Been doing some research. If you are a business they HAVE to ask you. Personal not so much. Apparently you can DEMAND it when you get your tracking number.

Also if you get your shipper to make it VERY clear that you want to clear it yourself.

If you do not want to pay it. You can refuse delivery and negotiate with them. But you have to fight it out.

once you've got the tracking number call them and state you want to do the brokerage yourself.

There was a class action lawsuit against them, I don't know the outcome but because of this they might just ask everyone before they they proceed to clear the item with the customs.

Safer yet to call in advance.

Another option is to use USPS (United States Postal Service) since they have an agreement with Canada Post in which they do not charge brokerage fees.