U.S.$

[Samw]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

Canada post charges a 5.00 flat handling fee if the value is over a set amount and other wise all they collect is taxes.

Ups has no minimum value for brokerage fees, if you order a 5.00 part you pay the minimum brokerage of 35.00 (which is why I refused an 8.00 shipment of LED's) as the value gets higher it is a minimum of 35.00 or a persentage of the declared value which ever is higher.

Steve, in the link I posted:

http://www.canadapost.ca/personal/to...b06-e.asp#c006

"Gifts from friends and relatives, valued at $60CDN or less, are duty and tax exempt. Goods imported into Canada, valued at $20CDN or more, are subject to all duties and taxes.

Mail items that are assessed for duties and taxes, or require inspection for compliance to other government regulations (e.g. agricultural goods) are subject to additional fees.

<snip>

Canada Post has taken over many of the material-handling and revenue-collection functions previously performed by Canada Customs. A handling fee of $5CDN per dutiable or taxable mail item is applied. "


The only time I've ever been charged $5 is when my goods are taxed. When my goods aren't taxed, I've never been charged $5. This seems to agree with the website.

From UPS

http://www.ups.com/media/en/rate_guide_ca.pdf

Page 60:


Value for Duty or via other couriers/transportation companies* UPS Express™ & UPS Expedited Services*

$ 0.00 to $ 20.00 - FREE


I've never been charged a brokerage fee when my goods were not taxed (in other words, $20 or less). This agrees with the website.

The $20 exemption is set by the gov't so there should be no brokerage fee regardless of UPS, Fedex, Canada Post, etc since no taxes are being collected by anyone for items less than $20. Brokerage fee applies only if someone has to fill out the paper work to collect your taxes. That's the idea of the brokerage fee.

Canada Post charges a flat rate of $5 for items over $20 (unless its agricultural good). When I picked up my bulb, I was charged GST, PST, and $5 brokerage fee.

UPS charges an incremental fee for items over $20 (additional fees for agricultural goods).