FedEx used parts from the US??

shadowman

shadowman

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Does anyone have any experience having parts shipped from the US, using FedEx? I've been schloinged hard with "brokerage fees" by UPS before and I'll never use them again. I'm looking at buying some used stuff for a project bike, and the seller is talking FedEx. I don't know if I should insist on USPS or not. Advice?
 
I was under the impression all the couriers were bad. If they can't ship USPS I don't bother.
 
shadowman said:
Does anyone have any experience having parts shipped from the US, using FedEx? I've been schloinged hard with "brokerage fees" by UPS before and I'll never use them again. I'm looking at buying some used stuff for a project bike, and the seller is talking FedEx. I don't know if I should insist on USPS or not. Advice?
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Fedex is almost as bad as ups as far as brokerage. But Fedex offers an overnight or air option that includes brokerage. Its not cheap but you dont pay on top. i would insist on USPS
 
use USPS only, otherwise it becomes hardly worth it with the brokerage fees
 
Had car parts sent FedEx, from Anaheim, CA it took 2 business days. cost $89 and no brokerage for $300 in parts.
 
Thanks guys. That is what I suspected. The fees wouldn't even be that bad, if you knew what they were up front. I bought $85 worth of parts in the spring, paid $85 shipping with UPS, and then they wanted another $40 in fees after that. I'd never use UPS again. I just wasn't sure about the other couriers.
USPS it'll have to be.
 
When buying new from teh U.S try and use retailers who cover all fees in the shipping cost.
 
Macs said:
Had car parts sent FedEx, from Anaheim, CA it took 2 business days. cost $89 and no brokerage for $300 in parts.
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Oops, I missed your reply while I was typing.
Interesting. 2 days wouldn't be overnight, but was it the air option that Recidivist was talking about above?
What was the weight of the package? I'm looking at a swing arm.
 
shadowman said:
Oops, I missed your reply while I was typing.
Interesting. 2 days wouldn't be overnight, but was it the air option that Recidivist was talking about above?
What was the weight of the package? I'm looking at a swing arm.
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It was an eBay order, I think they would've had an account with FedEx. And FedEx works on weekends, so YMMV as far as the delivery time. 2-5 days was quoted.

Overnight would've been $155

It was 2 headlight housings...about 15lbs. but a BIG box
 
I once rebuilt the entire front end of a bike using eBay and the majority of the parts came from the U.S. Now it doesnt matter what I am buying from that side of the border I insist on USPS.
 
I've never done this myself as I always get items shipped USPS but I've heard that if the items can only be shipped via UPS that you can either inform the courier prior to shipment that you intend to self-clear the items at your local CBSA office or refuse the shipment at the door telling them that you intend to self-clear. You go to your local CBSA office, inform them of the courier service, unique shipment ID #, and shipping invoice. You pay the taxes and any applicable duties to the CBSA and they give you a receipt that you take to the holding warehouse. You present this receipt to them and they will release your package without you having to pay any brokerage fees. The seller must clearly mark the value and content of all packages.

With FedEx ground, you would have to inform them of this intention before shipping as they deliver the package to you and don't send you a bill for brokerage fees until a few weeks after.
 
If you live close to and frequent the US enough, ship to a mailbox at the boarder. I've only been sent to the custom's office once and when I showed it was bike parts for my own bike, the agent just processed me for HST. Come to think of it, I've been fortunate enough when I talk to the boarder patrol, we talk bikes and they pretty well let me go every time.

Also, I travel enough that the cost of the toll and fuel doesn't factor in. A mail box address cost approximately $5 per package depending on the size. Google US mail services at a boarder town close to you and see if it's a viable option.


I've gone across in Queenston and Port Huron. And even the Soo has been friendly.
 
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shadowman said:
Does anyone have any experience having parts shipped from the US, using FedEx? I've been schloinged hard with "brokerage fees" by UPS before and I'll never use them again. I'm looking at buying some used stuff for a project bike, and the seller is talking FedEx. I don't know if I should insist on USPS or not. Advice?
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Fedex and Purolator are way cheaper on the brokerage fees, Not sure why UPS ground charges so much but air or the other express service are cheaper so I have been told! Last month I had a back up sump pump ordered from Homedepot.ca and it was left on my front door, just yesterday I get a UPS envelope in the mail, saying I owe $40.32 for brokerage fees!!!! USPS,Purolator or Fedex
 
nakkers said:
If you live close to and frequent the US enough, ship to a mailbox at the boarder. I've only be send to the custom's office once and when I showed it was bike parts for my own bike, the agent just processed me for HST. Come to think of it, I've been fortunate enough when I talk to the boarder patrol, we talk bikes and they pretty well let me go every time.

Also, I travel enough that the cost of the toll and fuel doesn't factor in. A mail box address cost approximately $5 per package depending on the size. Google US mail services at a boarder town close to you and see if it's a viable option.


I've gone across in Queenston and Port Huron. And even the Soo has been friendly.
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Ft. Erie is also good. The Soo is the best imo, but WAAAY too far out for GTA people. CBI USA is the best for anyone in Southern ON
 
Thanks for everyone's replies. I'll try to get the seller to use USPS.
As far as a US post box goes, the nearest border crossing for me is Ganonoque. That's a 2 hour drive each way. For me, it just wouldn't be worth the drive to save the fees.
 
Boom King said:
I've never done this myself as I always get items shipped USPS but I've heard that if the items can only be shipped via UPS that you can either inform the courier prior to shipment that you intend to self-clear the items at your local CBSA office or refuse the shipment at the door telling them that you intend to self-clear. You go to your local CBSA office, inform them of the courier service, unique shipment ID #, and shipping invoice. You pay the taxes and any applicable duties to the CBSA and they give you a receipt that you take to the holding warehouse. You present this receipt to them and they will release your package without you having to pay any brokerage fees. The seller must clearly mark the value and content of all packages.

With FedEx ground, you would have to inform them of this intention before shipping as they deliver the package to you and don't send you a bill for brokerage fees until a few weeks after.
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I have done this and it still turned into a nightmare dealing with UPS. Let them know ahead of time that you're going to self broker, not afterward. I didn't know this. I went to the UPS warehouse, got the shipping invoice. Took the invoice to CBSA, and paid the duties. Brought back the invoice, with receipt for duties paid. The lady then photocopied everything and gave me the package and I went on my merry way. A month later the mailings started to appear saying I still owed the duties/brokerage. It took almost a year of scanning and emailing copies of everything to both UPS and the collection agency that they sent after me before everything was cleared up. I hate UPS.
 
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