Canadian dealing with UPS

[back alley]

jan, noone here appreciates that language, edit your post or i will.

especially as it seems directed at me...

watch yourself, please.
see, we canadians are very polite.
joe

 

[Nikon Bob]

Joe

Thanks

Hey Curt nice to see you up early on days off. It is not only the ladies on this site who should be offended. I understand Jan's anger over that transaction but some of the comments were way far over the top. I think the postal services in both Canada and the USA do a good job in shipping trans border. They deserve more praise than they get IMHO. Anyway, another vote for an edit.

Bob

 

[GeneW]

I've been clobbered by those UPS fees as well. It doesn't lessen the sting, but one thing to clarify: it's not custom fees -- there's no duty on camera equipment. It's taxes and brokerage fees (the nice little cut UPS gives to itself for 'handling' the border passage). I prefer USPS for all small packages. UPS Expedited is good for major purchases (e.g. when I purchased a Hasselblad and lenses from New Jersey). The insurance, quick delivery and tracking are worth paying for when you're into big bucks.

Gene

 

[akitadog]

Yup, UPS is a rip off with their fees. I for one refuse to have anything shipped that could end up being delivered by UPS.

Helmut K.

 

[BJ Bignell]

UPS is a ripoff. I just won't buy if that's my only shipping option. The best way to receive goods is with some sort of expedited parcel service (with guaranteed delivery times) via USPS (Post Office).

FYI: When 'importing' cameras, as you are, the fees are like this:
Duties = $0.00 (no duties on photographic equipment)
GST = 7% ($10.50 on your $150 camera)
Customs "handling" Fee = $5.00
Total: $15.50

Basically, if it has to go through Customs, you get charged for something. Receiving gifts is cheaper:
Duties = $0.00 for camera gear
GST = 7% of the declared value over $60, or $6.30 (under $60 there is no GST)
Customs "handling" Fee = $5.00
Total: $11.30

 

[Bill K.]

I suppose that I was lucky when I purchsed my Besse from CAMERAQUEST. Mr. Gandy sent by US Air Mail and I got it within a week. The shipping was free, but the actual cost (Postage) was less than $9.00 US.

Similarly, a couple of small shipments from Fedka came by mail with no problem.

I suspect that the Canadian Post Office will sometimes charge the GST (7% Federal Sales Tax) if one has to go to the Post Office to claim the parcel. All of my recent purchases were sent to my Business address, no additional charges or duties.

I have to assume that the US & Canadian Postal Sevices are quite good, in spite of some horror stories and/or urban myths.

I have never used UPS and thanks to all the warnings on this thread, probably never will.

Regards to all,

Bill K.

 

[BJ Bignell]

BTW, for future reference, tariff information can be found here: Consolidation of the Customs Tariff from the Canada Border Services Agency. Look for item #90 Optical, photographic, ... etc. It'll link you to a PDF that very clearly identifies the tariffs for every type of photographic equipment being imported to Canada.

Make sure when receiving parcels that they are clearly marked "used (or new) photographic equipment" or something else equally unambiguous. And don't use UPS! They are STEALING from you.

 

[pshinkaw]

Many years ago UPS was a highly preferred shipper here in the US. Over the past 10-15 years they have gradually spiralled down while the US Postal Service and Fed-Ex Ground have gotten better. It will be awhile before UPS regains any confidence from me.

A word of caution on Canadian Post and the US Postal Service. In Canada there is a service called "Express Post" which is similar to US Priority Mail. Some of the more provincial US Post Offices confuse Express Post with the similar sounding "US Express Mail" which is an overnight premium service in the US. If that happens, they will not release your "Express Post" packages without a signature and identification. This could mean a drive across the city or into town to pick-up a package of nominal value.

I once spent a week trying to retrieve a parts camera sent from Henry's in Toronto because the mailman thought it required a signature and insisted on attempting delivery on three separate days. The lady at the window where I eventually got the package thought that the mailman was an idiot. I agreed.

-Paul

 

[back alley]

send an empty box to bj and let's see which gets delivered first.


😉joe

 

[Trius]

FWIW, I am willing to tranship for anyone on RFF as long as it can fit our mutual schedules. Here's the deal: I am a Canadian, but currently live in the city of the Great Yellow Father, i.e, Rochester. Not that any of that matters, but, I am close to the border, my kids and friends are in Southern Ontario, and I make frequent trips across the border. For example, I go to Niagara on the Lake and wine country pretty frequently to feed the habit that keeps me from buying more rangefinders! I belong to the wine club at Hillebrand Estates, but since they can't ship into the Excited States, I go and pick up every month or two.

So, if you have something coming from the US, we could arrange to have your purchase shipped here, I will transport it across the border as it suits my schedule and you reimburse me for actual Canada Post charges, I won't charge you any handling, gas money, etc.

This offer null and void when the Leafs win the Cup, cuz then it will be time to just die and go to heaven.

Trius