mike maghakian wrote:

I bought a radio for $215 from someone in canada a few weeks ago and today
I got a bill from the carrier (purolator) company.

the main items we

estimated customs $15
brokerage fee $18
surety bond fee $30
disbursement of funds $5
FCC filing $15

total was $85 on a $215 radio


for those that have experience with this matter, or actually KNOW what
they are talking about, I have some questions.

Am I being taken for a ride ?
I didn't sign anything so why should I pay over $50 in fees to these
crumbs ?
Is there a way to fight this ?

thanks

I believe you are being hosed (to use the Cdn expression). NAFTA (N. Amer
free trade agreement) says you can be charged sales tax on locale where you
take charge of the package but radios (amateur, SW) are customs exempt b/n
the 2 countries. Period. I had a fight with UPS from the USA to Canada
where they thought I should pay a brokerage fee. To get delivery I had to
pay it and then appealed through Canada customs. I was refunded the
amount. UPS threatened me several times before the appeal went through. I
just ignored them and forwarded their correspondence to customs. I only
buy things now shipped by postal service, which frankly takes usually only
an extra day or two and avoids this sort of extortion. The US and Cdn
postal services do an excellent job of cross border shipping in my
experience doing this with 4 radios, 3 computers and various other things
like books and parts. And they are cheaper for basic shipping costs.

I think the shyster courier companies think they can make a buck from you by
standing there with the package and saying they won't deliver unless you
fork out. I don't do business with any company who won't ship the way I
want it.

So hold your ground and complain. Refuse to pay. If you never use
purolator again, they can't hold a package for future extortion.