Here's how UPS broke down the extra charges for me one time I got zinged for an extra $60.00 at the door. They claim that you can use any air services (Express or Expedited) and get free brokerage....but I don't trust them as far as I can throw them. USPS / Canada Post never give me a hassle - worst I've ever had with them was to pay the taxes on a package when I go to pick it up.
Email response from UPS when I questioned them:
"The shipper has Prepaid the cost of shipping Standard Service. The fee the shipper pays does not include any brokerage, duties or taxes owing as the shipment enters Canada. The consignee is responsible for these charges. It is always a good idea, when ordering items from outside of Canada, to ask the vendor if their price includes import charges (Brokerage fees, duties and taxes).
Here is the breakdown of the import charges on your brokerage invoice based on the shippers declared value of $129.29 CAD:
COD CHARGE $4.25
This is a UPS fee, to cover the cost of collecting the funds in this manner.
COD GST TAX $0.26
The Goods & Services Tax on the COD fee.
DISBURSEMENT $5.85
Disbursement fees are charges for UPS having to pay duty and/or taxes to the government on behalf of the importer.
ENTRY PREP FEE $29.00
Entry preparation charges are a fee for UPS processing the paperwork for a package to clear Customs
BROKERAGE GST $2.09
The Goods & Services Tax on the Brokerage charges.
CUSTOMS HST $18.10
The Harmonized Sales Tax on the Canadian value of the goods.
A Brokerage fee is charged to process your shipment and present your paperwork to customs on your behalf. All courier shipments with a value exceeding $20 CAD require customs clearance by a broker. The customs clearance procedure requires the broker to perform, on behalf of the importer, a number of tasks. Tasks include, but are not limited to, auditing import documentation, classification of the commodity being imported, and preparation and transmission of accounting information to Canada Customs. The UPS Customs Brokerage published rate schedule is competitive with industry standards.
Please be advised that all of our rates or fees are published and available in our rate guides or at (
http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shippi ... rance.html) . When accessing the link for Rates for Customs Clearance into Canada, please review the complete fee schedule provided. Please note: Entry Preparation Charges, Disbursement Fees and Additional Services may apply to your shipment.
U.S. shippers are advised that brokerage charges, duties and taxes will be billed to the importer unless otherwise indicated by the shipper.
UPS provides free brokerage services for all shipments sent via any one of our air services, Express and Expedited.
Thank you for using UPS Canada Internet Services. "