Question
Is there difference in Canadian custom charges if sending something via FedEx ground versus U.S. post office? Do FedEx tack on any service fees?
Answer
Couriers charge brokerage that Canada post doesn't.
Basically the large couriers hire companies at the border to handle getting their items through customs. The fees they pay these companies are tacked on the bill.
They can be quite excessive.
Answer
Thanks.
If I call FedEx U.S., will they give me a straight answer on the brokerage tackon? Or will I end up with a p*ssoff customer? It is about a 10 lb shipment and couple of hundred dollars in value.
Answer
Your customer is probably looking at a minimum of $25US brokerage charge by fedex, depending on what the item is. If it is made overseas somewhere and not covered under NAFTA, they will get hit by duty as well.
Couriers are not the best way to ship to Canada as we have such a low dollar import limit ($20Cdn) whereas its easier for us shipping to you guys as you have a $200US import limit before duty is charged and the post office doesn't charge it, only the courier companies.
Here both of them charge you, so your customer is stuck with duty and taxes no matter which way you ship, but courier has the extra inflated brokerage fee.
Jill
Answer
Thanks all. Back to USPS.