Originally Posted by Maelstrom
Have you actually "tried" instead of guessing. I used fedex.
Cost of order 390usd -> paid with visa ->cost 430$ with delivery and brokerage (28$ I think total for brokerage AND shipping)
38$cdn in duties and border fee
Total cdn was 470ish
At bikeroom the one part I got would have been 399$ + 120ish for misc other parts. + 10$ for shipping.
I've used/received international shipping quite a few times so yes, I have "tried" it. If it's a contest, most likely more than you.
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/co...ty_free-e.html
But wait there's more!
A sample fedex scenario:
http://www.discovervancouver.com/for...TOPIC_ID=75083
"UPS charges the highest brokerage fees in the industry - from what I have read. These fees are often 'hidden' to most customers, since they are not included in the item price or the shipping and are separate from the taxes (discussed below). For example, if I were to order a wakeboard for $325 USD from UPS, according to their brokerage fee schedule, I would have to pay $35.55 brokerage + $5.85 disbursement (minimum) + $4.25 fee for collecting brokerage charge. Add taxes, shipping and convert this order to Canadian funds and this order no longer looks like a deal. Apparently you can set it up to clear customs by yourself, but trying to figure out how is as easy as turning water to gold. If your order is shipped UPS when you were told it would be shipped with another company, you can refuse to accept the order & charges and it will be sent back to the retailer."
"Fedex charges brokerage fees based on the value of your order. Instead of paying the amount up front, Fedex will send you an invoice in the mail. The problem is that they don't list them on their site, so we contacted Fedex and got them to send us the list!"
Link to aforementioned list:
http://www.stokecity.ca/FTN-FXG%20Br...%20Version.pdf
as you can see sir, no guessing.