Sending via UPS - "Entry prep fee" ?

[peacefrogdog]

I sent a high end item to someone in the states via UPS.

ARound a month later the buyer said he got a letter charging him $23 as an "entry prep fee"?

Any idea what that is? Is it a customs fee?

 

[Funkmobile]

If you sent the item via UPS Standard, yes that's one of the cutoms fee that the receipient has to pay to clear customs

 

[quincy]

I doubt it's a customs charge at all - I would be more inclined to think it's another of UPS' ridiculous brokerage fees.

 

[Turtlelo]

That is an odd one. I'm in the US and I had dealt with UPS for over 11 years and had shippments come in from around the world. Being the recipient, I had never been charged any kind of entry prep or brokerage fee. That is a new one for me.

Mike

 

[Psych-Guy]

But your Mike...and the only people that don't know you, are Nathans Hot Dogs...Hi Mike!!

 

[Funkmobile]

I doubt it's a customs charge at all - I would be more inclined to think it's another of UPS' ridiculous brokerage fees.

Sorry I meant brokerage charge....UPS Standard does not include customs clearance service...you either:

1.) Do it your self
2.) Get someone else to do it
3.) Get UPS to do it

...if you don't specify before hand, UPS defaults to option #3

...UPS Express and 2nd day service is way more expensive because it includes the customs clearance in the fees.

 

[peacefrogdog]

What would you guys do in this situation. I decided to send via UPS because it was a $400 card, and I couldn't get a straight answer from the Canadapost person at the time as to how to send with tracking and insurance, so I sent via UPS without charging the buyer anything. He's upset because he received this charge from UPS despite how I had said the auction that I would send via Expresspost.
He hasn't left feedback for me - should I just pay it for him, given that I didn't specify I would send via UPS?

 

[meatmancgy]

What would you guys do in this situation. I decided to send via UPS because it was a $400 card, and I couldn't get a straight answer from the Canadapost person at the time as to how to send with tracking and insurance, so I sent via UPS without charging the buyer anything. He's upset because he received this charge from UPS despite how I had said the auction that I would send via Expresspost.
He hasn't left feedback for me - should I just pay it for him, given that I didn't specify I would send via UPS?

UPS does have the benefit of a great tracking system, but they are bastards when it comes to that brokerage fee. Honestly dude... go Fedex from now on or pay for the overnight UPS as someone else already suggested.

Part of living in another country is getting charges for items across the border. Generally the US residents get away with paying much, if anything, for cross-border transactions... but holy crap do us Canucks get hit sometimes! I'd just say "sorry, I don't control how the post/courier companies charge for their cross-border tracking". My two cents...

Bruce

 

[lawbick]

Generally the US residents get away with paying much, if anything, for cross-border transactions... but holy crap do us Canucks get hit sometimes! I'd just say "sorry, I don't control how the post/courier companies charge for their cross-border tracking". My two cents...

Bruce

It's called "Free Trade"....perhaps "Freeish" is better....

Does your listing disclaim responsibility for customs/brokerage charges?