How Canadians can avoid extra UPS, FedEx and DHL Brokerage fees for international delivery services
Hi, This article was taken from CTV you can click the link below to see and read the CTV article in full:
How to avoid extra fees for international delivery services – CTVNews
I rewrote some of the sections and pasted them below in way I think might be easier to understand.
Here are the ways to avoid those extra charges by self- clearing the package and dealing directly with CBSA. Click the link below for the CBSA Website:
Canada Border Services Agency – Self-clear information
The first thing to do with UPS, FedEx or DHL.
1.) – refuse delivery and advise the courier that you will pay duties and/or taxes directly to CBSA
2.) – write down the unique shipment identification/tracking number. The shipment will be returned to the courier’s warehouse for a limited period of time
3.) – visit a local CBSA office that offers accounting services to the Canadian public. Click here For the Canada Border Services Agency, Accounts Receivable Ledger Office (ARL) Website for locations
4.) – You will need the shipment identification/tracking number, the commercial invoice (receipt), and personal identification when you visit the CBSA.
5.) – You will be given an official receipt indicating that you have paid duties and/or taxes paid to the CBSA.
6.) – A copy of this receipt must be presented to the courier, either in person or by fax, at which time receipt or delivery of the shipment may be arranged.
UPS told CTV News that customers do have the option to self-clear and it will provide the email address or fax number if customers call 1-800-PICK-UPS.
If that seems like a lot of work then you may opt to pay the brokerage fee but at least you should know that you have a choice.
Shipping international packages by regular post is another way to avoid high brokerage fees. Canada Post charges $9.95 on all dutiable or taxable mail and has arrangements with postal services in other countries such as the United State Postal Service for clearing packages.
If you are ordering online you may end up having to accept the package by the shipping method used by the company from which you are ordering. But remember you have the choice to self-clear to avoid extra fees.
And if you are sending a gift to someone you can also prepay the duty and taxes and brokerage fees. FedEx told CTV News that it offers that service as a courtesy to its customers.
“Billing the shipper is a very common practice within the industry, particularly for personal shipments, where the shipper does not want those charges to be billed to the consignee,” said FedEx Communications Specialist James Anderson.