KEH Shipping Internationally (In particular Canada)

[FA Limited]

Anyone tried it? I've read a lot of bad stories involving high courier brokerage fees, but these should be included in the non ground shipping.
I went through the process of making an invoice for a sizeable purchase and everything and the shipping was $0. something wrong there too?

 

[newsgrunt]

No sweat. Have had numerous things (cameras,lenses) shipped and almost 100% positive it was shipped USPS. You'll probably pay the taxes and a postal handling fee ($5-8 I think) but that's it. Maybe give them a call instead.

 

[Beemermark]

Do not use UPS or FedEx, you'll end up paying brokerage fees. UPS, FedEx and the post office all take about the same amount of time - ~2 weeks. Post office is far, far cheaper.

 

[antiquark]

When I purchased with them, they would calculate the shipping for Canada the next day and email me the cost. Then I'd have to confirm whether I still wanted to buy.

Last thing I ordered was a Nikon FE2 + 50mm lens ($180). The shipping worked out to $65 US, so I told them to cancel it.

 

[tonyj]

USPS from the US into Canada, every time! - or Canada Post within Canada or to the US.

Cheaper, quicker, and without the 'hidden' fees.

 

[benlees]

Keh doesn't use USPS to Canada, as far as I know. They will email their options. Shipping is expensive. And there will be fees on top of that. Other places like Adorama will ship to Canada with UPS Saver which is a bit cheaper. If they have what you want at a reasonable price and there isn't a better way to get that item in a time frame that agrees with you then the cost of shipping isn't always the most important thing.

 

[photogdave]

I ordered some items from KEH and the only shipping option was UPS. The brokerage fee that came later was so high it ended up not being worthwhile. I've heard that they now offer a USPS option but I don't know for sure.

 

[FA Limited]

thanks for the replies! i too heard that they didn't offer USPS on expensive items but hope this has changed.

 

[climbing_vine]

KEH sells things for $5 less than BH or Adorama, but charges at least $10 more for shipping (often more). Unless I couldn't find an item anywhere else, their policy of making money on the back end with bogus shipping charges will keep me from ever buying there.

 

[dfoo]

Here is another vote for USPS. Avoid UPS and FedEx like the plague. Brokerage fees my ass! It irritates me that Freestyle charges an extra $20 for shipping also. Charging extra for shipping is total BS.

 

[HelenOster]

The question of shipping options to Canada comes up regularly, so I put together the following info - hope it helps.
When shopping with Adorama for shipping to Canada, you can choose from: FedEx International Economy, FedEx International Priority and UPS Express
With UPS Express, there should be no additional brokerage charges for customs clearance, as these are included in the shipping fee.The same holds true for FedEx International Economy and FedEx International Priority. I understand that back in February 2008, there was a class action lawsuit filed in Ontario against UPS for hidden fees.
Sales taxes and duty (if applicable - most photo items are duty free because of NAFTA), are additional and (unless you have an account with FedEx or UPS), are payable upon delivery. Duty may have been paid on the item entering the USA from the originating country if there was no FTA in place. But in any case, photographic equipment items between the US & Canada are duty-free.
However, if your purchase requires a tariff (eg paper products, storage media) this would typically be less than 0.5%. You can download the Customs Act on line to find out how your purchases would be classified and from that, estimate the tariff.
Many customers have reported that USPS online package tracking is not very good, and if a package is mislaid in transit that the customer must wait 45 days before submitting a lost parcel claim.
Conversely, experience has shown us that UPS's online package tracking is excellent and if a package is mislaid, that they are much more responsive. Our Canadian customers tell us that UPS is fast and reliable, and that packages are handled efficiently when they arrive into Canada.

 

[dfoo]

This is an explanation of the UPS customs clearance charges into Canada. As Helen says, there is no charge for UPS express.

http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html

However, that being said I still would never willingly use UPS. I feel their customs clearance fees for other forms of shipping are extortion pure and simple, and I would prefer not to support a company with such deceptive business practices.

 

[newsgrunt]

Aside from the brokerage fees, another issue I have with UPS is picking up parcels. If I'm not around when they attempt a drop , I have to go to their main depot which is across town and through ridiculous traffic ( Toronto and it's stupid drivers natch).

When I last dealt with UPS, I found I wasn't able to arrange a drop at a local UPS store prior to it leaving the states. If I was willing to put up with lots of hassles and ridiculous rules, I could have them deliver it to a store later but it's much easier just to avoid UPS in the first place. Fed Ex is much better imo.

I won't even get in to how a custom made canoe pack disappeared in their possession. TWICE. If I ever see that pack on a portage, I'll know it was stolen.

 

[thomasw_]

no trust of fedex or ups here due to years of hidden charges/fees. consequently i wouldn't buy from any seller who insists on me using one of them.

 

[Nikon Bob]

I have not used UPS in 20 years after being burned by their broker fee. They also lost/misplaced a rifle that I had shipped and were able to find it after I filed a police report.
No thanks, I'll continue to use Can Post and USPS.

Bob

 

[Fenwick]

Ive order from KEH a few times and yes using UPS EXPRESS there are NO brokerage fees Express is a little more expensive but A LOT cheaper than paying the outrages UPS fees
It boils down to if what your purchasing is worth the extra cost of cross border shipping

 

[trudulbri]

When I purchased with them, they would calculate the shipping for Canada the next day and email me the cost. Then I'd have to confirm whether I still wanted to buy.

:bang::bang:^^^:bang:

 

[mooge]

I bought a Kiev 4 from KEH last summer and it was like $20 for shipping. and it took a month.
I bought an M2 from India recently and it only took a week to arrive...

 

[mingkookoo]

My purchase from KEH

My purchase from KEH

Despite using UPS Express Int'l, I still have to pay a $10 Brokerage Fees.

I was under the impression that if you buy from KEH and use UPS Express Int'l for shipping you will not have to paid the Brokerage Fees.

Breakdown:

1. Nikon DW-3 Waist height finder $89 US
2. UPS Express Int'l Shipping $48.89 US

Total $ 137.89

Order Processed on Tues 27 and arrived the next day(Toronto, Ontario) around 10am-ish which is pretty fast.

At the Door, UPS guy said there is a COD I need to pay in Canadian Dollars $28.26 in total.

1. Duty $4.55 ( I'm cool with that)
2. GST $12.41 ( I'm cool with that also)
3. Brokerage Fees $10.00 ( Not cool with that at all)
4. Brokerage GST $1.30 ( Not cool with that either)

I'm happy with what I've received and the fast shipping.

So can we say that you might still get hit with the Brokerage Fees + the Brokerage GST even you use the UPS Express Int'l as shipping option?

Hope this info will help the Canadian shoppers. A lot of Canadian wants to buy from the States but this Brokerage Fees thing is so unclear in a way that it might share the potential buyers away.

If KEH can tell us up front at there website regarding this brokerage Fees thingy, I' sure they will get a lot more Canadian customers. 🙂

Hope everyone is getting what they wanted for X'mas. Wishing everyone a happy Holidays 🙂

 

[CVickery]

Despite using UPS Express Int'l, I still have to pay a $10 Brokerage Fees.

I was under the impression that if you buy from KEH and use UPS Express Int'l for shipping you will not have to paid the Brokerage Fees.

Breakdown:

1. Nikon DW-3 Waist height finder $89 US
2. UPS Express Int'l Shipping $48.89 US

Total $ 137.89

Order Processed on Tues 27 and arrived the next day(Toronto, Ontario) around 10am-ish which is pretty fast.

At the Door, UPS guy said there is a COD I need to pay in Canadian Dollars $28.26 in total.

1. Duty $4.55 ( I'm cool with that)
2. GST $12.41 ( I'm cool with that also)
3. Brokerage Fees $10.00 ( Not cool with that at all)
4. Brokerage GST $1.30 ( Not cool with that either)

I'm happy with what I've received and the fast shipping.

So can we say that you might still get hit with the Brokerage Fees + the Brokerage GST even you use the UPS Express Int'l as shipping option?

Hope this info will help the Canadian shoppers. A lot of Canadian wants to buy from the States but this Brokerage Fees thing is so unclear in a way that it might share the potential buyers away.

If KEH can tell us up front at there website regarding this brokerage Fees thingy, I' sure they will get a lot more Canadian customers. 🙂

Hope everyone is getting what they wanted for X'mas. Wishing everyone a happy Holidays 🙂

Often these companies lump everything else into the 'Brokerage fee' category. I suspect that this $10 charge is an admin charge to collect the money. CanadaPost charges for this as well ($5/$8). I'm not sure you should have been charged duty though...it's a bit unclear given the item. What gets me is when they charge brokerage and get the category wrong and also charge duty incorrectly. It's like paying them to do their job badly.