Kamakiri
10-19-2005, 10:41 AM
Here's a tutorial on how to clear your own UPS packages through customs, thereby bypassing all brokerage fees :)
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Once you have received confirmation from your Internet Vendor that your purchase has been shipped via UPS, he will give you a UPS tracking number. This is what you need to do in order to clear your package through Canada Customs:
1) Call UPS and give them your tracking number. Confirm your name, address, and the shipper's information.
2) Advise UPS that you wish to clear your package through Canada Customs yourself. They will generate an internal memo regarding your intent.
3) Keep an eye on your package via your tracking number. Once your package has reached your city, give UPS a call to confirm that you want to clear the package through Canada Customs yourself. Also ask when the paper work is ready for pickup. UPS will advise. Do not go to UPS until paperwork is ready, as you need this first before you can do anything.
4) Once you have been advised that the paper work is ready for pickup, ask UPS for the office address on where the paper work should be picked up. Also get the address where Canada Customs is located so that you can go there directly. Note that Canada Customs close at 4:30 pm in Vancouver, and I suspect the same closing time across Canada.
5) Go to UPS office to pick up your paper work. There will be a line up for sure, but be patient and wait until the next available UPS customer service rep is available. Advise the UPS rep you are here to pick up the paper work. Be ready to give ID (driver's license, etc) and tracking number of your parcel so that UPS is sure that you are who you say you are.
6) Take paper work and head directly to Canada Customs. Line up and speak with the Canada Customs rep. Give him the paper work. Rep will ask you a few questions (if any) about your imported product. If taxes are levied, you must pay them (taxes are on the converted amount of the US purchase price). Taxes is usually PST and GST. Depending on what you import in, possibly duties as well. Once paid, your paper work will be stamped by Canada Customs. Important: Canada Customs MUST stamp your UPS paper work as proof of payment, or else UPS will not release your package to you!
7) Take your paper work back to UPS. The office and warehouse may (or may not be in the same building), so you should ask before heading to Canada Customs. In any event, give paper work to UPS rep, they will take it and go fetch your parcel. They will wheel it out, and you can take your stuff and go. That's it, you've saved yourself a fair chuck of money on brokerage fees.
8) Depending on which Internet Vendor you purchase from, you could ask them to send the parcel to you as gift or commercial sample. In this case, you will be able to bypass all taxes and duties. However, this is difficult to accomplish, as not all vendors will be accomodating.
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Thanks to Patrick on www.acuraworld.com for this information :)
****************
Once you have received confirmation from your Internet Vendor that your purchase has been shipped via UPS, he will give you a UPS tracking number. This is what you need to do in order to clear your package through Canada Customs:
1) Call UPS and give them your tracking number. Confirm your name, address, and the shipper's information.
2) Advise UPS that you wish to clear your package through Canada Customs yourself. They will generate an internal memo regarding your intent.
3) Keep an eye on your package via your tracking number. Once your package has reached your city, give UPS a call to confirm that you want to clear the package through Canada Customs yourself. Also ask when the paper work is ready for pickup. UPS will advise. Do not go to UPS until paperwork is ready, as you need this first before you can do anything.
4) Once you have been advised that the paper work is ready for pickup, ask UPS for the office address on where the paper work should be picked up. Also get the address where Canada Customs is located so that you can go there directly. Note that Canada Customs close at 4:30 pm in Vancouver, and I suspect the same closing time across Canada.
5) Go to UPS office to pick up your paper work. There will be a line up for sure, but be patient and wait until the next available UPS customer service rep is available. Advise the UPS rep you are here to pick up the paper work. Be ready to give ID (driver's license, etc) and tracking number of your parcel so that UPS is sure that you are who you say you are.
6) Take paper work and head directly to Canada Customs. Line up and speak with the Canada Customs rep. Give him the paper work. Rep will ask you a few questions (if any) about your imported product. If taxes are levied, you must pay them (taxes are on the converted amount of the US purchase price). Taxes is usually PST and GST. Depending on what you import in, possibly duties as well. Once paid, your paper work will be stamped by Canada Customs. Important: Canada Customs MUST stamp your UPS paper work as proof of payment, or else UPS will not release your package to you!
7) Take your paper work back to UPS. The office and warehouse may (or may not be in the same building), so you should ask before heading to Canada Customs. In any event, give paper work to UPS rep, they will take it and go fetch your parcel. They will wheel it out, and you can take your stuff and go. That's it, you've saved yourself a fair chuck of money on brokerage fees.
8) Depending on which Internet Vendor you purchase from, you could ask them to send the parcel to you as gift or commercial sample. In this case, you will be able to bypass all taxes and duties. However, this is difficult to accomplish, as not all vendors will be accomodating.
*********
Thanks to Patrick on www.acuraworld.com for this information :)