Shipping to Canada

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iamcanadian - 27 Nov 2006 00:38 GMT

I am interested in purchasing some camera equipment from either B&H or
Keh. Has anyone had experience with this? Does it matter whether it is
new or used? (As far as fees or customs goes.)

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mikerfns - 27 Nov 2006 02:26 GMT

> I am interested in purchasing some camera equipment from either B&H or
> Keh. Has anyone had experience with this? Does it matter whether it is
> new or used? (As far as fees or customs goes.)

No. Same taxes whether new or used. GST and PST (or HST in Atlantic
Canada). $5 or $8 customs fee with USPS/Canada Post. UPS and FedEx
*AIR* services clear customs at no additional cost (included in
shipping fee). Make sure that KEH ships via AIR - UPS Standard (Ground)
results in expensive "brokerage" fees.

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m II - 27 Nov 2006 04:36 GMT

>> I am interested in purchasing some camera equipment from either B&H or
>> Keh. Has anyone had experience with this? Does it matter whether it is
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> shipping fee). Make sure that KEH ships via AIR - UPS Standard (Ground)
> results in expensive "brokerage" fees.

UPS has double billed me on shipping EVERY time I've been forced to use
them. As soon as the parcel gets into Canada while in their clutches, it
turns into a hostage and YOU pay the ransom.

UPS = Unrepentant Parcel Shysters

Use the US postal serviced instead. I've never had problems with USPS.

mike

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Alan Browne - 28 Nov 2006 00:56 GMT

>>I am interested in purchasing some camera equipment from either B&H or
>>Keh. Has anyone had experience with this? Does it matter whether it is
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> shipping fee). Make sure that KEH ships via AIR - UPS Standard (Ground)
> results in expensive "brokerage" fees.

I've had stuff sent UPS air that had huge UPS brokerage fees. They are
so low as to be unqualified to be called a.sholes.

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James Robinson - 28 Nov 2006 02:59 GMT

> I've had stuff sent UPS air that had huge UPS brokerage fees. They are
> so low as to be unqualified to be called a.sholes.

For a typical shipment there are no brokerage fees when you ship UPS air.
They reserve the right to charge fees if the shipment is really
exceptional, requiring significant brokerage time. If you got charged a fee
for a typical shipment, you are due a refund.

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iamcanadian - 28 Nov 2006 13:16 GMT

It seems that UPS is not consistent with their fees. If I was to order
from B&H, does one have a choice in how it is shipped?

> > I've had stuff sent UPS air that had huge UPS brokerage fees. They are
> > so low as to be unqualified to be called a.sholes.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> exceptional, requiring significant brokerage time. If you got charged a fee
> for a typical shipment, you are due a refund.

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James Robinson - 28 Nov 2006 14:08 GMT

>> > I've had stuff sent UPS air that had huge UPS brokerage fees. They
>> > are so low as to be unqualified to be called a.sholes.
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> It seems that UPS is not consistent with their fees. If I was to order
> from B&H, does one have a choice in how it is shipped?

I've had things shipped to Canada many times by UPS and only ever had a
problem, when their brokers charged duty on a duty-free item. When they
called for a credit card number for payment, I pointed out that it was
duty-free, and they cancelled the charge.

Most complaints about UPS seem to be from people who didn't do their
homework, and specified UPS ground shipment. They were caught by
surprise by the high customs brokerage fees. If they had called UPS
beforehand, they would have known about the fees.

According to their web site, B&H photo will ship either by US Postal
service or UPS to international destinations.

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mikerfns - 28 Nov 2006 19:15 GMT

> It seems that UPS is not consistent with their fees. If I was to order
> from B&H, does one have a choice in how it is shipped?

Yes - USPS/Canada Post and UPS.

I have had items shipped to me from B&H via both USPS/Canada Post and
UPS. The UPS shipments incurred no extra brokerage fees. B&H ships via
UPS *AIR SERVICES ONLY* (Expedited or Express) to Canada.

In many instances, shipping to me in NS from B&H in NY was *cheaper*
via UPS Expedited (Air) than by the postal system after factoring in
the customs clearance fee of $5.00 for Airmail or $8.00 for Express
Mail.

This is a direct quote from the UPS site for shipments imported into
Canada:
(http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html)
"... there is no entry preparation fee for routine customs clearance of
UPS Express and Expedited shipments including up to five classification
lines. Charges may apply for more complex customs clearance
procedures."

I too have been very badly burned by UPS Standard (Ground) brokerage
fees, and will avoid any shipper using that service, even if it means
paying more shopping elsewhere.

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madhobbit.geo@yahoo.com - 29 Nov 2006 19:30 GMT

> > Make sure that KEH ships via AIR - UPS Standard (Ground)
> > results in expensive "brokerage" fees.
>
> I've had stuff sent UPS air that had huge UPS brokerage fees. They are
> so low as to be unqualified to be called a.sholes.

This thread just saved me $30.

I'm currently awaiting a package from the US (two photo books I had
printed from Blurb). It's coming UPS Ground - shipping costs were
roughly $13. But after reading this thread, I poked around UPS's site,
and learned that they were all set to charge me:
- a $20 brokerage fee
- a percentage of any duty or tarriffs payable, minimum of about $5
- an additional COD charge for collecting these fees, roughly $5
(The last one has me shaking my head...they're billing me for
collecting my money.)

At the advice of a coworker, I just called UPS, and they've changed the
shipping info to indicate that I will be doing my own brokerage. Sounds
like I'm required to drive down to the depot during business hours (a
bit of a pain) and fill out the Canada Customs (or is it the CCRA now?)
paperwork myself. This apparantly results in no additional fees from
UPS. The guy I was talking to was actually going to be billed $80 for
brokerage etc. (an expensive item), and simply refused delivery and
drove down to the depot to get the package and fill out the paperwork.
He saved $80 -- UPS didn't charge him for any of it.

So, a little more work for me, but I found the idea of paying them $30+
in additional fees somewhat offensive.

Thanks for the warnings!

- Darryl

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James Robinson - 29 Nov 2006 21:21 GMT

>> > Make sure that KEH ships via AIR - UPS Standard (Ground)
>> > results in expensive "brokerage" fees.
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> (The last one has me shaking my head...they're billing me for
> collecting my money.)

You can see how the UPS ground shipping charges are a trap, in that
people think they are getting a deal, only to get whacked with the
brokerage fees. (It also applies to FedEx ground shipments)

You really need to look at what you are shipping, how quickly you want
it, and whether shipping by air with included fees, or shipping by post
with the flat $5 fee is the way to go.

Actually, UPS doesn't get the money for the fees, as the brokers are
contractors. At least UPS doesn't get all of it.

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Alan Browne - 30 Nov 2006 00:26 GMT

>>>Make sure that KEH ships via AIR - UPS Standard (Ground)
>>>results in expensive "brokerage" fees.
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> drove down to the depot to get the package and fill out the paperwork.
> He saved $80 -- UPS didn't charge him for any of it.

Interesting. They don't tell you about it ... but available.

> So, a little more work for me, but I found the idea of paying them $30+
> in additional fees somewhat offensive.
>
> Thanks for the warnings!

You're very welcome ... and spread the word.

Cheers,
Alan

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Dave - 27 Nov 2006 06:42 GMT

I've bought about $15,000 worth of camera equipment from B&H. No problems,
pay GST, PST if appropriate for your address, and a small shipping fee. Used
is no different than new. In Canada there is general agreement that there is
no duty on Camera equipment. I bought a spotting scope from B&H once, and
was charged duty by a goof at Canada Customs. However I appealed and the
appeal won, as I had also bought an adapter ring for my camera. I sent them
a photo of my camera attached to the scope, and I made the reasonable case
that it was a big lens for the camera.

Dave

>I am interested in purchasing some camera equipment from either B&H or
> Keh. Has anyone had experience with this? Does it matter whether it is
> new or used? (As far as fees or customs goes.)

Reply to this Message

William Graham - 27 Nov 2006 07:01 GMT

> I've bought about $15,000 worth of camera equipment from B&H. No problems,
> pay GST, PST if appropriate for your address, and a small shipping fee.
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Dave

I guess that when Canada goes to war, their soldiers fight harder for people
who look through telescopes than they do for people who take pictures
through long lenses......What?

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m II - 29 Nov 2006 04:19 GMT

>> I've bought about $15,000 worth of camera equipment from B&H. No problems,
>> pay GST, PST if appropriate for your address, and a small shipping fee.
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> who look through telescopes than they do for people who take pictures
> through long lenses......What?

Depends if the people are embedded or not.

mike

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Alan Browne - 28 Nov 2006 00:57 GMT

> I am interested in purchasing some camera equipment from either B&H or
> Keh. Has anyone had experience with this? Does it matter whether it is
> new or used? (As far as fees or customs goes.)

Avoid UPS. Huge, disproportionate brokerage fees.

Used or new you will pay customs. (Note: I did get a DVD from the US
last week... no customs. Go figure.)

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Paul Furman - 28 Nov 2006 17:34 GMT

> I am interested in purchasing some camera equipment from either B&H or
> Keh. Has anyone had experience with this? Does it matter whether it is
> new or used? (As far as fees or customs goes.)

UPS is a drag even in the US. If I'm not here when they come, there's no
way to pick it up at the warehouse or tell them to hold it there, I'd
have to call the shipper & have them change the instructions. This isn't
an issue with FedEx or USPS.

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