As a Canadian, I know this issue intimately... I stopped employing UPS entirely after I received an item valued at $72 and was charged $78 in "Customs & Brokerage Fees". The reason for this is that the Canadian regulations on couriers are vastly different than those imposed on Canada Post (the "national postal service" which is an independent Crown Corporation), and other National Carriers, like USPS and Royal Mail... It doesn't help that UPS appears to be using this fact to defray blame from its draconian brokerage-fee racket (because other carriers, like FedEx, don't apply such ridiculous charges for similar items).
I also learned that items entering Canada with declared values less than $20 are not subject to duty/taxes regardless of the carrier.
I made a posting about Canada Customs Tarrif Exemptions a long time ago here.
Last edited by Fit2BKilted; 29th March 10 at 02:51 PM.
Reason: thread reference
The spirit of the Declaration of Arbroath (6 April 1320) abides today, defiantly resisting any tyranny that would disarm, disperse and despoil proud people of just morals, determined to keep the means of protecting their families and way of life close at hand.
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