ordering goods off the web and being taxed twice

PopNFresh · #1 (**permalink**) Jan 27, 06

OK here is my beef, I ordered some gear from this website workmens.com because they are having a sale. I order about $180 worth of crap which included tax and shipping charges. When the UPS dude showed up today he wanted me to pay him $41 C.O.D for more tax and a brokrage fee. YOu see when you buy somthing over $20 they hire a "broker" on your behalf to asses the value of your purchase so they know how much to tax you on it. So out of my $41, $8 goes to tax and $33 for the broker.

if i refuse to pay they send my package back

i hate thease money grubin thieves

Hot Karl · #2 (**permalink**) Jan 27, 06

yup, that's the reason i just go pick up my packages from the u.s.

**MC Hammered** · #3 (**permalink**) Jan 27, 06

I just found out recently that if call UPS and tell them you are going to do your own brokerage and they won't charge you for using their services.

You have to drive to the Richmond main depot to pick up the items and clear it through customs there.

charly · #4 (**permalink**) Jan 27, 06

yes, but UPS does that to everyone, which is why you just don't buy things that ship via UPS, unless you want to pay the fees.

this is also why i love fedex. besides actually being on time, they eat those fees for you. so yes, you may pay a bit more to ship things, but they're timely and free of hidden fees. yaaaay fedex.

charly · #5 (**permalink**) Jan 27, 06

Quote:

Originally Posted by MC Hammered

I just found out recently that if call UPS and tell them you are going to do your own brokerage and they won't charge you for using their services.

You have to drive to the Richmond main depot to pick up the items and clear it through customs there.

Really? I didn't know that.. I'll have to try it sometime. Thanks Winston :)

**MC Hammered** · #6 (**permalink**) Jan 27, 06

Here is the text off another site I visit:

Quote:

If I have something shipped into Canada via UPS, I give them a call beforehand and let them know that I would like to clear customs myself.

When the package arrives in Canada, UPS will hold it at their depot (airport in Richmond for me) and I will head down there. I take the paperwork, drive 1 minute over to the Canada Customs office, and pay for the taxes there. I return to UPS and get my package and I'm on my way.

That quick process is what brokerage companies charge you megabucks for.