Brokerage Fee in the U.S.?

[THERUSSIANRCKT]

I understand all of the craziness that goes on with GST and all of that with packages shipped to Canada, but today for the first time ever, I got hit with a $31.75 "brokerage fee" on a package I received from Canada. The package was shipped via UPS. Can anyone clue me in? I had no idea there was such a thing here in the U.S.?

 

[suitman19]

Yes - b ut it is not applicable on cards - unless it is un-opened wax.

We often get items from Italy and England/Scotland in our store - and if the manufacturer does not pay the broker fees, we have to. They are most likely
under the impression that the items you received were a wholesale or retail merchandise purchase and not a collectible under a certain value.

If however - the item is quite valuable you may be required to pay customs duty on it - and therefore would have to pay UPS's broker fees as well.

bruce

 

[langway05]

"Big Brown" charges a fee for the pleasure of doing all of the work when it comes to crossing the border..

Hence the reason that I would not use them to ship anything into the USA!

Anyways, sorry to hear about being inducted into the "Big Brown" brokerage fees club.. :|

Brian

 

[cards-gotta-go]

Brian,

You'd better lock this thread before the Big Brown jokes start "moving"...

...most of us won't want to read that crap.

 

[justinanika]

pun intended Jai?? Oh Brockerage fees... certainly dont like them.

 

[quincy]

I dunno about that. The comparison is apt.

 

[THERUSSIANRCKT]

Thanks for the explanation guys. It is rare that I get UPS packages from Canada anyway. It was a $450 card from an Ebay seller with 0 feedback - so I was just happy to receive it!

 

[Funkmobile]

FYI, UPS Standard shipping does not include brokerage services

...however, if you go for UPS 2 day or Overnight Express service, Brokerage services are included...

 

[DogfoodSoup]

You know brokerage fees really suck but every once in a while they can be entertaining. Take the time a package arrived at the house from the states and there was an $18 brokerage fee that needed to be paid. The UPS guy politely explained to my brother that it had to be paid at the door and it was due to the government taxes. He then went on to say how the government was ripping people off charging the taxes and how customs rips people off cause they're the ones who add it to the packages. By this point my brother has his wallet out to pay the fee but when the guy went on the rant about Customs being greedy he paused and let him finish. Once the UPS guy finished his bashing of customs officers and the government my brother opened up his wallet revealing his customs badge to the UPS guy. Lets just say if UPS could deliver packages as fast as this guy tried to get his foot out of his mouth they'd put everyone else out of business.