Here's a better one for UPS, if you ever have to use UPS, use over night or expedited, DO NOT USE GROUND.

http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/pre-20...ees/index.html

Yes, UPS is outrageous. I paid $110 for a skimmer that included shipping if I remember correctly. I paid $54 in UPS brokerage and duties. The kicker was that I didn't receive the bill from UPS until 3 months later! What do I do then? Can't send it back, it's busy on the tank! :lol:

Fedex or Purolator are much cheaper for brokerage. Snail mail seems to be about the same. Duties are hit or miss...doesn't matter the cost of the item...I think they just choose randomly which ones get dinged and which ones don't.

If your buying from China, try to use DHL, they have a like a 8.00 or 10.00 customs fee, I have purchased a number of stereo piece from China and fees were reasonable.

No, you are not alone. I bought an item from ebay for $85 plus shipping for $30. The item I had bought at that time, I thought I can save $60 even if I have to pay extra for the shipping. But when I go pick it up, they charged me an extra $40 :twised: From that day, I registered at TSB shipping, whatever item I bought from US from now on, it will ship directly to that TSB address, and it will cost me only $3.

TSB shipping??

I refuse to use UPS ground from U.S., if the seller does not USPS, I don't buy from them.

Yes, Myka.

http://tsbshipping.com/feb_rates.htm

ive been enlightened -- amazing.. .yea the chinese source uses dhl -- so i guess thats good.. and im more open to shopping in the states now -- but NOT with UPS GROUND... awesome! great links subman and scubadawg -- and thanks to all

Here is what I know.

Canada Post / USPS will not charge customs brokerages fees so they are always your cheapest route. If the order is over $200 they will charge you the GST at the door and a small bond fee around $5.

FedEx and UPS will charge you the following:

• Taxes (GST, PST etc)
• A Bond Fee (to pay the taxes on your behalf
• Customs Brokerage Fee
• Duty (if any)

If you are using FedEx / UPS express services the Customs Brokerage Fee is included. However if you are using Standard / Ground the brokerage fee depends on the order total:

Order Total - Customs Brokerage Fee
$0.00 to $20.00 - $ 0

$20.01 to $40.00 - $7.00

$40.01 to $100.00 - $19.45

$100.01 to $200.00 - $29.00

$200.01 to $350.00 - $45.60

$350.01 to $500.00 - $51.20

$500.01 to $750.00 - $58.20

$750.01 to $1,000.00 - $65.15

$1,000.01 to $1,250.00 - $72.10

$1,250.01 to $1,600.00 - $76.65

$1,600.01 to $5,000.00 - $80.85

Each additional $1,000 - $6.25

Next, depending on the items in your shipment and where they were manufactured comes the Duty Fees. Items made in China are usually charged at 8% duty.

So for additional fees you are looking at:

USPS / Canada Post = Small Bond Fee + GST + Provincial Tax + Duty (if any) and only if the order totals more than $200.

UPS / FedEx Standard / Ground = Customs Brokerage Fee + GST + Provincial Tax + Duty + Bond Fee

For express services = GST + Provincial Tax + Duty + Bond Fee

You can get rid of the bond free if you have your credit card on file with fedex.

Here is a good website which will figure most of this out for you and give you the final cost:

http://www.thefinalcost.com/