Shipping Costs - Unbelievable. (1 Viewer)

[MarkeytMaker]

That works well for popular items that will attract bidders. But some of my items like F1 racing cars have a big following world wide but not so much in Canada/US, so to get decent prices and in some cases even to get bids, I have to go global. Fortunately, K&C items sell very well in Canada/US so I do not have to go global with them.

Terry

Terry,
Makes me think of the 21 member pit crew I saw recently on Ebay in 1/18 scale...really cool!

 

[Phantom Warrior]

That's exactly the type of item that needs worldwide exposure and in fact am about to sell a similar set.

Terry

 

[mestell]

From the US, if the international package weighs 4 pounds or less, it can be sent via USPS First Class International for a very reasonable rate, usually $15-$20 depending on the country being sent to. However, if the package weighs more than 4 pounds the only options available are the Priority International, Express International, Special Handling, etc. and those rates are just incredibly high. UPS (Brown) international delivery rates are even higher. Its gotten to the point that if the item I am offering weighs more than 4 pounds when packed, I don't even offer it to overseas buyers.
Mike

 

[glossman]

From the US, if the international package weighs 4 pounds or less, it can be sent via USPS First Class International for a very reasonable rate, usually $15-$20 depending on the country being sent to. However, if the package weighs more than 4 pounds the only options available are the Priority International, Express International, Special Handling, etc. and those rates are just incredibly high. UPS (Brown) international delivery rates are even higher. Its gotten to the point that if the item I am offering weighs more than 4 pounds when packed, I don't even offer it to overseas buyers.
Mike

Mike,

You are absolutely right about USPS First Class International. I have purchased many items from the US by this option at reasonable rates. The packages arrive in about 10-14 days which is good enough. I understand the drawbacks are no tracking and no insurance.

The majority of US sellers prefer USPS Priority International with tracking and insurance. The delivery time for this option is about the same as for the preceding. I am not sure if sellers receive written confirmation of successful delivery of the packages.

USPS Express International is the most costly with tracking, insurance and signed for. The package arrives is about 3 days, but I am seldom in that great a hurry to receive a purchase.

When it comes to the cost of international postage, the most important variable is the final weight of the packed item.

Thanks, Raymond.

 

[glossman]

There is Goods and Services Tax (GST) that may have to be factored in for International purchases.

Customs will detain any package containing items with a declared value of USD $300.00 and above.

I have to pay 7% tax on the price of the item in order to take delivery of the package from Customs.

This means having to drive to the Customs office in person and show the relevant paperwork (PayPal statements, invoices etc), a real hassle that I can do without.

Raymond

 

[GICOP]

There is Goods and Services Tax (GST) that may have to be factored in for International purchases.

Customs will detain any package containing items with a declared value of USD $300.00 and above.

I have to pay 7% tax on the price of the item in order to take delivery of the package from Customs.

This means having to drive to the Customs office in person and show the relevant paperwork (PayPal statements, invoices etc), a real hassle that I can do without.

Raymond

Hi Raymond

7% don't sound bad

Here is the charge I received for a parcel valued at $500 inc postage

$142

Cheers

Martyn

 

[Deitz]

Hi Raymond

7% don't sound bad

Here is the charge I received for a parcel valued at $500 inc postage

$142

Cheers

Martyn

Ouch ... and I complain about taxes in the US.

Brian

 

[glossman]

Hi Raymond

7% don't sound bad

Here is the charge I received for a parcel valued at $500 inc postage

$142

Cheers

Martyn

Hi Martyn,

That is a hefty 28% of the total amount you had to pay for the item.

In comparison, I can't complain about 7% then.

Thanks, Raymond.

 

[GICOP]

Hi Martyn,

That is a hefty 28% of the total amount you had to pay for the item.

In comparison, I can't complain about 7% then.

Thanks, Raymond.

Hi Raymond

From Jan 1st 2011 there will be an additional 2% because VAT (value added tax) is increased in the UK from that date.

Cheers

Martyn

 

[GICOP]

Hi Martyn,

That is a hefty 28% of the total amount you had to pay for the item.

In comparison, I can't complain about 7% then.

Thanks, Raymond.

Hi Raymond

From Jan 1st 2011 there will be an additional 2% because VAT (value added tax) is increased in the UK from that date.

Cheers

Martyn

My mistake that should read 2 1/2 %

Even worse

Cheers

Martyn

 

[ucla1967]

Hi Raymond

7% don't sound bad

Here is the charge I received for a parcel valued at $500 inc postage

$142

Cheers

Martyn

Oh, my gawd! That is outrageous. Twenty-eight percent! That is highway robbery.

 

[glossman]

Hi Raymond

From Jan 1st 2011 there will be an additional 2% because VAT (value added tax) is increased in the UK from that date.

Cheers

Martyn

My mistake that should read 2 1/2 %

Even worse

Cheers

Martyn

Hi Martyn,

I think you have been fortunate to find most of your retired Trophy sets in the UK.

It must be for the occasional set from across the pond that you have to deal with such high customs charges.

As I said in an earlier post, sometimes you just have to bite the bullet if the set is a "must have".

Cheers, Raymond.

 

[GICOP]

Hi Martyn,

I think you have been fortunate to find most of your retired Trophy sets in the UK.


It must be for the occasional set from across the pond that you have to deal with such high customs charges.

As I said in an earlier post, sometimes you just have to bite the bullet if the set is a "must have".

Cheers, Raymond.

Absolutely correct Raymond.

I have been hit three times by Customs charges when I have bought WW2 USMC and USN memorabilia from the US. I discovered, after the first time, that VAT was only 5% and there was no Import Duty on antique items, after submitting a claim, with the correct paperwork, and waiting a few weeks I received a large refund on each occasion

Doesn't work on Trophy Toy Soldiers though

Cheers

Martyn

 

[Alex]

UPS charges for a small package containing 2 54mm figures from Texas USA to Montreal Canada : 7$ for thousands of miles of travel

Same package from Montreal to Quebec city (140 miles) with Canada post : expect to pay at least 10$ ......

Some other nonsense (UPS) :

Package sent from US to Canada with a declared value of 30$ via UPS : UPS asking on delivery 39$ for : 4$ (canadian taxes) plus 35$ !!!! for brokerage fees .........on a package valued at 30$ !!!!!!!
Same package sent from US to canada using USPS : brokerage fees = 5$ no matter what the declared value is and more often than not they will let it go without you paying canadian taxes !

That's a weird world...

Alex

 

[Spitfrnd]

UPS charges for a small package containing 2 54mm figures from Texas USA to Montreal Canada : 7$ for thousands of miles of travel

Same package from Montreal to Quebec city (140 miles) with Canada post : expect to pay at least 10$ ......

Some other nonsense (UPS) :

Package sent from US to Canada with a declared value of 30$ via UPS : UPS asking on delivery 39$ for : 4$ (canadian taxes) plus 35$ !!!! for brokerage fees .........on a package valued at 30$ !!!!!!!
Same package sent from US to canada using USPS : brokerage fees = 5$ no matter what the declared value is and more often than not they will let it go without you paying canadian taxes !

That's a weird world...

Alex

$4 plus $35; what are brokerage fees and how are they calculated? That sounds like cause for another tea party.

 

[uksubs]

Hi Raymond

7% don't sound bad

Here is the charge I received for a parcel valued at $500 inc postage

$142

Cheers

Martyn

I just had to pay £48.00 & I thought I had it bad

 

[Phantom Warrior]

$4 plus $35; what are brokerage fees and how are they calculated? That sounds like cause for another tea party.

The minimum is $35 and is a ripoff by the courier companies who are all customs brokers. They all charge this fee even though most items now cross the US-Canada border without any import or customs duty. In other words, they do exactly nothing for the $35.

For shipping to Canada, NEVER use UPS, FedEx or the other courier companies. USPS and Canada Post do not charge a customs broker fee.

Terry

 

[thebritfarmer]

The minimum is $35 and is a ripoff by the courier companies who are all customs brokers. They all charge this fee even though most items now cross the US-Canada border without any import or customs duty. In other words, they do exactly nothing for the $35.

For shipping to Canada, NEVER use UPS, FedEx or the other courier companies. USPS and Canada Post do not charge a customs broker fee.
Terry

I got stung with a hefty fee a few years ago from Fedex and also recently from DHS.

Also Canada Post charges you a fee of $5.00 if they have to pick up any monies owing for taxes etc...

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I got stung with a hefty fee a few years ago from Fedex and also recently from DHS.

Also Canada Post charges you a fee of $5.00 if they have to pick up any monies owing for taxes etc...

Yes - a $5 charge if they have to collect sales taxes. But that is usually only on items of $100 or more, and they actually do something for it.

Terry

 

[Spitfrnd]

The minimum is $35 and is a ripoff by the courier companies who are all customs brokers. They all charge this fee even though most items now cross the US-Canada border without any import or customs duty. In other words, they do exactly nothing for the $35.

For shipping to Canada, NEVER use UPS, FedEx or the other courier companies. USPS and Canada Post do not charge a customs broker fee.

Terry

Wow, that would seem to make them uncompetitive. I have never used any of them for international shipping and it sounds like now, I never will.