I know that this has been talked about MANY times on this site but all my searches have come up empty. As I recall, when purchasing from B&H it is recommended to NOT use FedEx. However, I don't recall if the recommended method - that is the one that removed any surprises when it comes to customs charges - was USPS or UPS.
I think it was USPS. Can anyone enlighten me about the best means of getting my order shipped to Montreal. The order includes a camera, lens and accessories.
I have shipped many items to Canada and I always use USPS. The costs of using UPS and FedUp are prohibitive in my experience. Not living in Canada< I cannot comment on stores, like B&H, who generally have lower shipping rates will save you any money.
Good luck! Dan
Thanks for responding Dan. I made my order at B&H yesterday around 11AM eastern. A professional photographer friend here in Montreal told me that he frequently ships from B&H and Calumut and has found the FedEx or UPS most expensive choices the only way to go. Otherwise you are subject to unpleasant surprises in terms of customs fees. He hadn't tried the UPSP option as he'd been told that generally had a longer delay involved. The FedEx option which I chose was $65 more than the cheapest available which was USPS.
At the moment, FedEx is showing my package is at the airport sorting & customs center here - just outside Montreal. Delivery to me, expected before noon today! We'll see what happens with customs fees and taxes when it arrives.
I think I've read here on the forum that USPS only charges $5 or $10 for customs fees and their delivery time is supposed to be pretty good. I know that no shipper can control the time it takes to get through customs but I wonder if the time delays are really all that much different? Does anyone have any experience with that?
Alice, I have never had a package take longer than 7 days ( from Maryland to BC, Montreal and East Canada) via USPS using surface rates and Customs expenses were minimal compared to FedEx and UPS.
Good Luck!
Dan
So, 8:30 AM the local FedEx called to inform me that my package had cleared customs and would be delivered before 5:00 PM. She also told me the exact amount of taxes and fuel surcharge that would be due. The fuel surcharge was the only "extra" fee that I had not considered but it was only $9. The camera & equipment arrived at my door @ 3:30 PM.
So, 28 -29 hours after hitting "purchase" I had my battery in the charger.
Admittedly, the $100 shipping fee was more than I wanted to pay but given that I want to be familiar with this camera for next week, I guess that's the price I have to pay. It was $60 more than the USPS option to start with.
Dan, I'm delighted to hear that the USPS delivery time is so short. I will definitely give that a try next time. I think I remember a post here back 2 years ago, saying that the brokerage feed charged by USPS was less than $10. So it sounds like the way to go when time is not a major factor.
If anyone else has any stories about shipping, I'd love to hear them.
I've been too scared to ship any photo equip up here using UPS. I bought my young son a pair of Heelies (skate shoes) when they were still not available up here. Paid $50USD for these things, with something like $15 ship. The brokerage fee alone was another $35! I almost went into shock!
My wife has bought clothing from some US mail order catalogue, and had it shipped USPS. It took a bit longer, probably 10 calendar days, but brokerage fee $5.
Therefore, my fear of shipping UPS for something 'expensive' is very real. Like you mentioned, if you take their equally outrageous premium shipping rate, you don't pay the brokerage fee.., but give me a break UPS...
Gougers. Nothing less.
i ship a bunch of stuff to all over canada and always use USPS priority mail flat rate box ($23 upto 20lbs)...things have never taken more than 3-4 days.
one thing i have learned from buying many many things from the us is avoid UPS like the plague. Never use them.
and when it comes to Fedex, never use the GROUND service or you will be nailed with brokerage fees.
USPS is the best and only way to go IMO. 98% of my purchases from the US have been through USPS and I have never had a problem. (never bought from b&H so i can't comment on that)
Sunny Sra wrote:
i ship a bunch of stuff to all over canada and always use USPS priority mail flat rate box ($23 upto 20lbs)...things have never taken more than 3-4 days.
Interesting. Is there a limit to the size of the package? 20lbs is quite heavy, and only $23 bucks. Nice...
I always recommend UPS, not USPS. UPS has way better package tracking, UPS is a lot more responsive if a package is mislaid in transit and the UPS methods we use (Not ground) mean there's no brokerage fee. If you're shipping something privately, your mileage may vary.
