582 thoughts on “UPS/FedEx Brokerage Fee – avoid scam (Canada)”

1. Hi Trueler,

   I registered an account with UPS, the shipment ID # is listed by Reference Number, mine has only 1 set of numbers. Thanks for the new hint!!

   If I have B15 form on hand for the driver, would the driver release the package or it’s better to inform UPS beforehand? I would love to skip the conversation with UPS about self-clearance :)

   Thanks

2. Hi saz,

   Mine was starting with characters which go right after “1Z” in the tracking number. It is “3X…” in your case. So I believe that Shipment ID # for your case is the third reference number “3Xxxxxxxxxx”. My Shipment ID # had 11 characters as well.

   Thanks for help to figure out how to get Shipment ID #!

   Trueler

3. Hi Trueler,

   I have 3 references #’s. Not sure which one is the Shipment ID # though.

   Tracking Number:
   1Z3Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Saved
   Status:
   In Transit
   In Transit
   Shipped To:
   TORONTO, AL, CA
   Shipped/Billed On:
   11/23/2010
   Reference Number(s):
   Axxxxx, Wxxxxxxx, 3xxxxxxxxxx
   Type:
   Package
   Service:
   STANDARD
   Special Instructions:
   SIGNATURE REQUIRED
   Weight:
   3.00 Lbs

4. Hi Anne,

   Thank you for update! It was a good decision for you now, because driving to Pearson during rush hour is not the best idea. For future it is good that CBSA in Pearson works 24/7. I’ve just checked map of the Pearson International Airport, and CBSA is located in Terminal 1 level 1 (arrivals). According to the map, it is close to exit “E” to the street. If you go to Pearson with your next shipment, please take reply from CBSA from this post (just copy it to the document and print) and show them instructions. If they do not agree, kindly ask them to clarify it with the main CBSA office by phone.

   Actually there is another CBSA office in GTA which performs clearances of personal shipments – Brampton (407 & Hurontario). They already know these instructions :)

   I don’t think that CBSA needs physical doc with shipment ID #, written number should be ok.

   One more hint! I have recently figured out how to get shipment ID # by yourself. If you create an account on UPS website, login, and track your shipment, you may see it in “Reference Number(s):” section on the second place. Anne, can you please check it for your tracking number and let us know if it is the same number UPS gave to you? If you don’t want to register on UPS website, just never mind :)

   Thanks!
   Trueler

5. Hi Trueler,

   I just paid UPS $23 for an item valued $30 due to some other costs (rush hour driving across GTA, parking fee at Pearson). I will try self-clear on next item from UPS, if there’s one. But I would like to point out the information I have had at this time for use of self-clearance.

   1. UPS fax – shipment’s invoice with tracking #

   2. UPS gave me shipment ID # over phone – they cannot generate one until after 2 weeks from the time of entry, (do we need physical doc to show to CBSA?)

   3. CBSA Pearson – the one and only in GTA, the address is for receiving postal, cannot get confirmation of the physical location

   Thanks

6. Hi Anne,

   It is really strange and incorrect information from CBSA representative you spoke to over the phone. You are definitely allowed to pay taxes by yourself in any CBSA office which performs CLVS program clearances. You may find the list of offices in the link provided by saz in comments here or in the post with detailed instructions (with copies of invoice and B15 form).

   The representative from UPS told you that package is prepaid and you don’t have to pay anything? Unique shipment ID # is printed on the package label as well, so you could just write it down when you’ve seen it. Does the shipment’s invoice specifies what goods are in your package and what is value for duty?

   If you think that spending another trip worth more than ~$23, it’s your choice.

7. I’m trying to find the local CBSA office where I can pay taxes, so I called and was redirected to one at Front St Toronto, they told me that they don’t clear for UPS and gave me a 905 area number to call, I assume this is by the airport. Again I was told that it is not their jurisdiction to clear UPS item. I’m just trying to make sure which local CBSA office will accept taxes payment and issue the B15 before I waste another trip, but looks like I’m better off paying UPS $23~!!

8. Hi, I was trying to follow the instruction on this post to self-clear a package from ups.

   1. The shipment’s invoice I received from ups has no shipment ID#, only the tracking# looks like a sticker on the invoice starts with 1Z, and rep from ups told me this was prepaid package and therefore no such thing what I’m looking for.

   2. I went to the CBSA office in Scarborough to pay and I was told that this office only issue refunds. Then I called the CBSA to find out which local office would allow me to do self-clearance but I got an answer that: I have to go to the offices which are responsible for ups in Windsor or Hamilton, and that the package went through broker already then I cannot self-clear again. Moreover, he told me that there’s a reason that the package has to be cleared at those locations because they could physically exam it, and it’s against the law for what I’m trying to do!

9. Hi saz,

   As soon as you see that your package left Windsor, i.e. something like this:
   WINDSOR, ON, CA … … DEPARTURE SCAN
   you may call UPS and ask to send shipment’s invoice to your e-mail or fax. If they do not know what shipment’s invoice is – ask for commercial invoice. Make sure they got your address or fax number correctly.

10. The UPS website now says my package is now in transit in Windsor

    WINDSOR, ON, CA 11/25/2010 5:54 A.M. IN TRANSIT

    When do you think I should give them a call and tell them I want to do the customs myself?

11. I am expecting a package from US in a few days. I chose standard shipping. Didn’t know I would have to pay ‘extortion’ fees with that option. I going to give UPS a call. Lets see how it goes.

    Here is the list of offices where Office where Courier Low Value Shipments Program clearances are performed

    http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/contact/listing/indexpages/indextype49-e.html

12. Hi Amy,

    Sorry for late reply. If you return an item, the taxes should be refunded as well. Now (when boots are in your possession) you owe taxes to Canada customs. UPS works as a broker as well, and they promise to pay taxes on your behalf to Canada customs by the end of the following month. UPS will send you invoice with HST and brokerage fees soon. Since you are going to return your package back, take the proof of return and present it to UPS then, they should waive your invoice.

    Just to be 100% sure, you may want to call UPS to confirm it. That should be true, because you will not have to pay any taxes.

    Do you think it really worth returning? Who will pay for return delivery?

    If you decide to keep your package, you may consider self-clearing if you have local CBSA office nearby. In this case you will have to pay only HST, but not outrageous brokerage fee.

    Thanks,
    Trueler

13. I just bought a pair of boots from UGG Australia (Canada site). The price was the same as the retail price in Canada, and only charged $10 flat rate shipping.

    Only after I got the UPS tracking number, I noticed that the item was being shipped from California. So I tried to cancel my order with UGG, and they said they will re-route the package back to their warehouse, but being paranoid I checked the tracking number everyday, and sure enough the package was still being shipped to Vancouver. So I contacted UGG again, they advised that I should not refuse the package because it will be considered abandoned and will not be shipped back to them and I will not be refunded for the amount I was charge.

    Anyways the package arrived today, I was afraid to turn down the delivery but I did not get any brokerage invoice. I’m really worried after reading all these horror stories about the UPS fees, what can I do if they send me the invoice after I have returned my boots to UGG? I don’t want to pay $50 for nothing! Is there anything I can do now??

    Any help would be much appreciated!!

    Thanks,
    Amy

14. Hi Mike,

    Thanks for sharing experience! Tammy from brokerage line was definitely incorrect sending you to the port of entry (Fort Erie). You should insist on your rights and ask for required documents next time. UPS has to provide them to you without going to the port of entry. Then you can pay taxes in any local CBSA office.

    Thanks,
    Trueler

15. Hi Trueler,

    Thanks for your information about self clearance with UPS. I recently bought an item on ebay which valued for 300 dollars and the seller chose UPS ground for shipping. I was semi-aware of UPS expensive fees but it didn’t mattered to me until I received the yellow notice. They demanded 99 dollars brokerage fee. I called the UPS customer service line and explained about how expensive the brokerage fee was and how I would like to clear it myself. The man I spoke with was very compliant and sent me to the brokerage line. I spoke with one of the agent named Tammy and I explained my situation with her. She stated that I have to go to the Port of Entry to clear my item (Fort Erie.)I was reluctant to do so and I asked if I could just go to my local CBSA to self-clear. She declined and said it was too cost-inhibit or something like that but since I was a first time user of UPS she cut the brokerage fee by half. Which was 26 dollars. I decided not press on and just accepted her offer. Through my experience with UPS I’ll use UPS Worldwide Expedited if that was my last resort.

    Thanks Trueler

16. Hi Aspen,

    Thanks for getting back in touch.

    CBSA replied that UPS was incorrect to inform importer that you have to present yourself at the office where the goods were located in order to self clear your personal shipments. So, UPS is not allowed to force the importer to go to the port of entry in order to get a unique shipment identifier number because it is part of self clearing process. Moreover, it is electronic information which is mentioned on the shipment’s invoice which UPS can send you by e-mail and fax.

    You had an opportunity to be the first importer who successfully cleared personal shipment at Pearson if you could properly use valuable information you had. Unfortunately you met some obstacles on your way. Somebody else will try and make self clearing procedure easy working at Pearson CBSA office to the benefit of all other importers.

    Again, UPS can NOT insist that you can not do self clearing locally. It is the law and confirmed by CBSA. Most people do not do self clearing because they are not aware of this, and UPS customer service representatives on the phone “do not allow this”, which is incorrect. We are here to let people know about the rights. And yes, there are already several successful stories described here (far from all the people like to share their experience). I believe there were much more successful cases.

    I’m located in GTA. When I was trying to do self clearance for the first time, CBSA officer in Brampton told that it was not possible and I had to go to the port of entry in order to get the documentation which the courier usually presents to Canada customs. He told me that information I showed him (some old reply from CBSA regarding the issue) was incorrect. After that I escalated the problem to CBSA which took couple of months. You already know the result. So now I have no doubt that next time I will be able to self clear successfully in a local CBSA office, let’s say Brampton. I’m going to order some stuff from US pretty soon.

    There is one simple point: let to know about the procedure of self clearing to importers you know. And then it will be very easy and painless, not only in Vancouver, St. John’s and Montreal (where we already have successful cases).

    Thanks,
    Trueler

17. Derek,
    That’s all fine and good, but it doesn’t say anywhere that the courier is NOT allowed to force the importer to go to the port of original entry in order to get a unique shipment identifier number.

    In my books, this UPS self-clearing issue is far from a slam-dunk. Nobody has shown the ability to clear at Pearson where the package arrives through Fort Erie or Windsor.

    There are 6 million + people in the GTA, and as far as I’m concerned, the CBSA office at Pearson should be processing self-clearances from people using UPS all the time. But they aren’t. It still doesn’t work. UPS will still insist that it needs to go back to Fort Erie.

    So far, other people on the site have had success in Vancouver, in Montreal, and in getting the brokerage fee waived. That’s really only 2 success stories.

    Has anyone had success doing this through Pearson or Brampton?

    Trueler – have you ordered something from the states and had success self-clearing? Are you located in the GTA?

18. Here’s a link to the CBSA Memorandum D17-4-0 on the Courier Low Value Shipment Program: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d17/d17-4-0-eng.pdf

    Of particular note is the section on Release and Accounting, pg. 5:

    55. The courier or its agent is required to provide the importer with a receipt containing the classification of the goods, the transaction number, and a breakdown of the duties and taxes.

    56. If an importer wishes to account for the goods himself or herself, the courier does not release the shipment to the importer but holds the goods until the importer presents satisfactory proof that the appropriate duties and taxes have been paid directly to the CBSA. The importer must note the unique shipment identifier number and contact the courier to determine where the goods are held in a bonded warehouse until the release is effected.

19. Thanks Trueler –

    Again, based on this experience, I won’t be using UPS anymore. Granted, if I do, at least now I know how to self-clear.

    I have had the experience in the past where FedEx has delivered a package to me, and several months after, I have received a bill in the mail for fees that were QUITE expensive. I now need to find out how to clear items once they have already been received.

    If anyone has information on this, let me know. Thanks.

20. Hi Jim,

    You are very welcome!

    Thanks a lot for sharing your experience here!

    To deal or not to deal with UPS is your choice (and everyone’s else). Other couriers (FedEx, for example) charge brokerage fees as well. Some of them may bring a package to you, but in a month or two they will send you an invoice asking to pay for ridiculous fees. USPS/Canada Post charge flat rate brokerage fee – $5, but you never know where your package is located. From my experience tracking system is not informative at all, it is not even updating its status. USPS delivery is usually more expensive and takes much more time (again, from my experience).

    I think it is the best to choose the courier company which you know how to work with and what to expect.

    Thanks!
    Trueler

21. Hi all –

    I just want to personally thank Trueler and this website for saving me $23.30.

    I received a UPS yellow sticker on my door on Friday, Oct 15th when I arrived home from work. It stated that I missed my first attempt at delivery and they would try again. It also noted that I owed $23.30 in fees. I was immediately shocked as I purchased an item as a gift for my brother from a company in the US for $29.95usd. I paid for the item ($29.95) and the shipping fee to Canada ($12.95) and waited for my item to arrive.

    I thought it was completely absurd to have to pay $23.30 for an item that was $29.95. Anyway, I immediately googled some help, found Trueler’s website and took the appropriate steps.

    The first thing I did was to call UPS. I told them what I wanted to do (self-clear my package) and the Customer Service Agent immediately gave me the standard response that I couldn’t do that….I had to go to the port of entry (in my case, Montreal). I told her that Montreal is 4 provinces away and that wasn’t reasonable, and she said she was sorry, there was nothing she could do. I let it go a couple of hours, called back and spoke to a different CS agent. I told her the same thing. Said I needed to pick up a package that was delivered to me, told her I wanted to self clear. I got the same standard response (I wasn’t allowed to do that, etc). It was at this point, I politely cut her off and started quoting EXACTLY from this Blog post. I said I was already in contact with CBSA (which I wasn’t…) and said that I know from them, that I am “legally” able to self-clear any items that are sent to me. I told the CS agent that I was allowed to go to my local CBSA office (which is in my City and about 15 mins away) and self-clear. I informed her that I DIDN’T need to go to the port (Montreal). She objected, but I said I would need to have the “unique shipment identifier number” and a copy of the “Shipment Invoice”. Again, she objected. I must say, these UPS CS agents are trained VERY well to stick to their guns and they do everything possible to dissuade you from self clearing. There was no way was I backing down without getting this information. Her tone changed when I said the following (which I got directly from this blog):

    I said “I spoke with CBSA and they said it was illegal for UPS to deny my legal right to self-clear my package”. I then said “if you won’t give me the unique shipment identifier number and fax me a copy of the Shipment Invoice I need it in writing from UPS that you are refusing my right to self clear my package. I need to take this to the CBSA office.”

    It was at this point she told me to hold and she would chat with her Supervisor.

    She was gone about 10 minutes and when she came back, her tone had changed and she couldn’t have been more accommodating. She told me that normally they can’t do this, but they would make an exception, etc. She told me the number, took my fax number and within 10 mins, I had my fax in my hands!

    The next day, I drove down to the CBSA office and informed the 2 agents there that I wanted to self clear. They said that I could, looked at my information and began to proceed. I ended up only having to pay $3.96 and NOT the $23.30 that UPS wanted. I had to them call UPS back, them them that I had self cleared my item. I also had to fax the form I got from CBSA (B15) to two UPS numbers. The next day, I walked into my local courier company, and picked up my package!

    Was it a lot of work? It certainly was. Was it worth it to NOT have to pay the $23.30 to UPS? It certainly was. Never again will I deal with UPS. However, IF I do, at least now I know what to do.

    This just goes to show that if you follow Trueler’s steps, get those 4 pieces of information, this can be done and you can self clear. UPS won’t give up easily, but if you stick to your guns, you can get yours.

    Score one for the little guy.

    Thanks to Trueler and this website.

22. Hi Aspen,

    Sorry, if it is not clear enough from the article. But the reply from CBSA is almost at the end of the post between two solid gray lines (it is several paragraphs) after the sentence: “Canada Customs (CBSA) officially replied and provided procedure of self clearing process which UPS, CBSA offices, and importers should follow”. What kind of link would you love to see?

    I contacted CBSA several times. Initially they replied that it is possible to self clear locally and UPS was incorrect. Then I spoke to CBSA representative from Ottawa. And only after that CBSA sent me official reply with detailed procedures which I’m sharing here with other importers.

    Don’t be afraid to show this reply (from CBSA) to customs officers in Pearson. If they laugh at it (I’m sure they won’t, if you tell them what you are showing), write down their names, and ask for written refusal that they can not do self clearance for you. Make sure you have your shipment’s invoice (with unique shipment identifier number), address where goods are located, and money to pay HST. If it won’t work, send their refusal to me, and I will forward it to the CBSA person in Ottawa responsible for the Couries LVS Program.

    Hope it helps. Do not hesitate to ask any additional questions if the process is still not clear for you. We will try to find a solution and help.

    Thanks,
    Trueler

23. Hi Trueler,
    Perhaps I am being really, really dense, but I don’t see any document called “Official Reply from main CBSA Office” anywhere. All I see is a webpage with some excerpts from said document, but I don’t see that being binding on a CBSA officer.

    I’ve gone over every square inch of this page, and I don’t see any links, or hyperlinks, or whatever they are called.

    I would expect an official CBSA document to be on some sort of letterhead, and signed by someone important. Otherwise I’m just going to get laughed out of the CBSA office at Pearson again.

    Please show me (and everyone else) where this legally binding document is. I would love to see it.

    Otherwise you are asking me to go into (basically) a police station and start telling Officers that they are mistaken in how they do their job.

    Help!?

24. Aspen, I’ve already outlined in the article’s title that it is an outright fraud.

    We go to self clearance from here. Just let as many importers as you know about new procedures which CBSA advised to follow.

    Thanks,
    Trueler

25. Hi Aspen,

    I’m referencing not to the blog post, but to the official reply from main CBSA office which specifies the list of documents (bring it to them and they must follow it):

    – Unique shipment identifier number
    – Shipment’s invoice

    UPS must provide this information. If they don’t provide, ask for official refusal! They usually send it by e-mail and fax. All you need is “shipment’s invoice” – it has all the info. You do NOT need a waybill. CBSA can not ask you for documents which you can not get from UPS. Show them official reply from CBSA, not the “blog post”. Again, they must follow it! Do not ask for what they “need”, tell them the rules.

    Airport in Vancouver was not the port of entry, I believe, because air-delivery is not subject to brokerage fees. So Rodrigo successfully implemented guidelines from the article and comments.

    Another guy just successfully completed self clearance. He did exactly how is written here. He got “shipment’s invoice” from UPS by fax, went to CBSA office where he showed official reply from the post and explained the procedure, paid taxes, and got B15 form!
    
    If you still have a desire to fight for your rights, go ahead, and be more specific with UPS and local CBSA. Good LUCK!!!

    Trueler

26. I just read your related post under http://trueler.com/2010/09/15/ups-customer-service-complaint-lie-about-brokerage-fee/.

    The UPS responses there are very clear:

    “UPS restricts in-bond movements to the first point of arrival. ”

    and

    “A low value shipment (goods valued under $1600 CAD) is only considered released once a broker has been assigned. This will identify who will be accounting for the duties and taxes and also ensure payment. As you are not a certified broker, courier shipments cannot be released to your care. UPS is legally not able to move a shipment from the port until the release is in place.”

    I think it’s these 2 comments that UPS is using to deny us the clearance information we need to go to Pearson or Brampton to clear the items ourselves.

    Their second comment smells of horse manure, because any individual has a legal right to do his own clearing. And I’m not asking for the item to be released into my care, so neither I nor UPS is breaking any laws by asking to do the clearing myself BEFORE I take receipt of the goods.

    Of course they aren’t allowed to give you your package until it’s been either tax-paid, or a broker has collected your Visa number & promises to remit the tax next month. But again, I’m not asking them to do this.

    AND AND AND, we know from the D17-4-0 that the item IS considered CLEARED once it has not been selected for inspection at the border…

    21. Once goods are released, the courier is responsible for providing the importer or customs broker with all release information and supporting documentation for each shipment. For commercial goods the courier needs an undertaking from the importer or the importer’s broker that the appropriate accounting will be completed and the duties and taxes will be paid. The importer or broker needs to have posted security with the CBSA to obtain release before payment.

    This paragraph makes it abundantly clear that the whole broker assignment thing only starts to happen AFTER the item is cleared.

    So we’ve caught UPS in an outright LIE about this, I would say.

    The UPS respondent is correct in saying that they can’t move goods until they are released. But released doesn’t mean tax-paid. It just means the border guards haven’t selected it for inspection.

    UPS says “A low value shipment (goods valued under $1600 CAD) is only considered released once a broker has been assigned.”, but there is nothing in the D17-4-0 that supports this. Am I missing something, or are we slowly but surely exposing UPS for outright fraud & deceit?

    Where do we go from here? Where are the lawyers?

27. Hi Trueler,

    I went back to Pearson today with all the documents, numbers, information that I had for the shipment on which I just paid brokerage. I figured that the info they need must be somewhere, right? Especially because it’s already cleared and tax-paid! Certainly they could show me after the fact which document would do the trick.

    Wrong. They still asked for the waybill with the customs information on it. So it appears that the “USIN” we talked about is NOT on any documentation that I could get.

    They said that the only way to clear UPS items at a port (i.e. Pearson) that is NOT the original port of entry is to request that UPS send the item in-bond to Pearson, and then I could pick up the paperwork from UPS’s airport location. Then I take those docs to the CBSA office and I can clear the item. But otherwise, there is “no way” to clear the item at Pearson. More specifically, there is “no way” UPS will provide the requisite information without an in-bond movement (which costs extra $ and may negate any savings from not paying brokerage fees).

    I don’t understand your comment:

    “Do not ask CBSA in Pearson what they need! Bring them what main CBSA office told:

    – Unique shipment identifier number
    – Shipment’s invoice
    – Place where the package is being held (address of UPS facility)

    And bring printed reply from CBSA. They must follow it.”

    Why wouldn’t I ask the very people that are going to make or break my next self-clearing attempt? I can stand there and argue that they are supposed to clear the item, but without the right documentation, they are just going to bounce me again.

    Let me repeat the dilemna: UPS says they will NOT provide clearance documents, including the Unique Shipment Identifier Number aka Cargo Control Number UNLESS they return the item to Fort Erie. Only then can I have such documentation. And if I want to clear it at Pearson, I have to request an In-bond movement from Fort Erie to Pearson.

    The reason why Rodrigo was successful is that the Vancouver airport WAS the port of entry, so they were able to provide the necessary customs documents/USIN/Cargo Control number. Albeit at a cost of 40 minutes.

    That’s where I am. The CBSA officers were adamant that I should NEVER use UPS to import items because of their ridiculous brokerage fees. Or they said I could use Fedex, because I could go to the Fedex facility at Pearson, and they WOULD be able to give me the waybill/manifest/cargo control/whatever documents I needed.

    The problem here is squarely with UPS. It is their own internal B.S. policies that make this so difficult. They don’t HAVE to send the item to Fort Erie, at least not according to the CBSA. But the CBSA can’t MAKE them provide clearance info to people who want to self-clear at Pearson or Brampton, etc.

    I really want to be wrong about all this, so please correct me. But you can’t just say “take a copy of a website blog” as some kind of authority to make a CBSA officer somehow circumvent their system. They need what they need, and UPS won’t provide it.

28. Thanks for sharing your experience, Rodrigo! Congratulations!
    Looks like the procedure of self clearing is working.

29. Well! I thought I was gonna have more problems, but no. Besides the long time that UPS took in order to “generate” the paperwork (like 40 min) everything ended working fine. No complications, no bad faces, I just had to pay GHT (BC tax) for the turntable in customs, but no brokerage fees. Thanks A LOT for all your info and comments.

    Good luck to everyone! Bring down UPS abusiveness kingdom hahaha

    Cheers

30. Hi Rodrigo,

    UPS should give you necessary information and documents. Please check above comment for the list. It is better to double check with UPS if the last place mentioned in the tracking system is the same as the place where the package is being held. Unique shipment identifier number should be different from the invoice number (I’m not sure here).

    Share your experience after self clearing attempt. Hope it will be successful! Honestly!

    GOOD LUCK!!!

    Trueler

31. Hello everyone!
    First of all , sorry if my english is not perfect.
    My name is Rodrigo, I bought a turntable from the US and UPS charged me %40 of its value on brokerage fees. The Turntable was supposed to be delivered today (oct 20) This very day I realized about brokerage fee and about this blog and how people is trying to handle the problem…
    I was waiting for the turntable until 1 pm and then left the house to go to school (after reading this). I found that that UPS truck was parked a couple of blocks away. I asked the driver for my package and told him how upset I was due to this sudden brokerage fee charge. To my surprise, he advised me to go to Vancouver airport and to clear myself the item. So that’s what I’m going to do today’s evening.
    Some questions,
    IS the place where the package is being held , the last place mentioned in the tracking system? Or it can be different?
    The Unique shipment identifier number shouldn’t be the same invoice number? If not, UPS should give it to me?

    Thanks in advance, good luck to everyone in your issues with UPS and please wish me luck

    Rodrigo

32. I know that waybill specifies unique shipment identifier number. It does not matter when it was generated, because the process starts right after shipment occurs, when the actual package is in its original place.

    Do not ask CBSA in Pearson what they need! Bring them what main CBSA office told:

    – Unique shipment identifier number
    – Shipment’s invoice
    – Place where the package is being held (address of UPS facility)

    And bring printed reply from CBSA. They must follow it.

33. Hi Trueler,
    It looks like I can get to Pearson on Friday, so I’ll take the bundle of documents and get CBSA to “officially” tell me what they needed (post-mortem) for me to clear it myself.

    I’m not confident about the “Shipment ID#”, since it was generated by the shipper days before it hit the border.

    Do you know this for a fact, or are you using common sense?

    Because if it is indeed true, then UPS was willing, and in fact did provide that number over the phone. I could handle the old “no, you have to go to Fort Erie” intimidation thing that they do, provided they still give me the info. Then I just show the drive the receipt from CBSA, and they have to honour it.

    In fact, I could then have all the information right up front, sent by the shipper. I just ask the shipper to email me a .pdf or .jpeg of the waybill and the CI at the time of shipping. And I could go clear it BEFORE UPS even has their first delivery attempt. That would be sweet.

    Anyways, I’ll have another update on Friday.

    Grrrr.

34. Hi Aspen,

    The unique shipment identifier number should be exactly the “Shipment ID#” printed on the waybill you got from UPS.

    So, looks like you have all the necessary information, because CBSA in Pearson asked you for the waybill. I know cases when UPS provided importer with “shipment’s invoice” which specifies all the necessary information as well.

    If you try to get something from UPS and they do not give it, ask for official written refusal and for ID of the person you talk to.

    Does the waybill specifies description of goods and value for duty? It is needed as well. Probably you will need shipment’s invoice from UPS as well, it your waybill does not specify value for duty.

    I can assure you, if self-clearance process is easy, a lot of importers would use it. But we have to do it easy first!

35. Oh, and there is no way that UPS will be pulled from the CLVS program, of course. But it’s a way for us, the general public, to make something happen. If we have a legal argument that they are violating their participation in CLVS, then maybe we will get somewhere with being able to clear items ourselves.

    Even if the self-clearing process is easy, there are still only a small % of people that will use it. So I don’t know what UPS is afraid of.

36. Hi Trueler,

    I was unsuccessful in clearing this item myself, and I ended up paying the brokerage fee (I was charged $19.50 to pay $4 in sales tax on a $33 item – which, of course, is simply highway robbery).

    I did attempt to get the unique shipment identifier number (let’s call it the “USIN”) from UPS on the phone this morning. I explained to them that the CBSA officer’s first question was “do you have the waybill?”. So I assume that the USIN is printed on the waybill. But hold on…

    So the woman on the phone says NO, I CAN’T get a USIN from UPS, because it doesn’t exist!! The only way they can generate one is if the item goes back to Fort Erie. She explained (I am totally getting the run-around from both CBSA and UPS, can you tell??) that UPS brings stuff in from the States all the time. And they bring in a whole batch of packages together. The CBSA officers at the port of entry have the option to select packages for inspection. The ones they do inspect are pulled aside. The other items stay in a bundle of packages.

    Now, in the CBSA documentation, D17-1-2, they have an example of a “Consist Sheet”. And on such sheet, there would be a list of all items brought in together in a batch. On the sample Consist Sheet, each package has it’s own line, and it’s own “Cargo Control Number”. Each line also has Exporter & Importer info, number of pieces, description, weight, value and country of origin.

    I’ve heard the term “Cargo control number” before, and it seems to be a synonym for the USIN. I.e. I think CBSA would be able to reference the Cargo control number to clear the item.

    BUT, the UPS lady says that each package DOESN’T GET ASSIGNED a cargo control number when brought in together with other packages. I can’t see how this is possible, especially when it seems to be a specification of the CLVS program that each item does have a Cargo Control number, but ok for now. She says that all items under $1,600 (i.e. all items eligible for the CLVS program) just pass through the system without their own USIN. And if you want a USIN, they have to send the item back to Fort Erie so it can be pulled out of the system (and presumably out of the batch/list) and given its own USIN. Essentially, it sounds to me like this: UPS treats packages as CLVS items, but if you want to clear it yourself, they have to pull the package out of the CLVS system and treat it like it’s over $1,600. It would then get the full treatment as a package that needed special attention to get cleared.

    This, of course, flies fully in the face of the CLVS program. It doesn’t say anywhere that an importer has to treat a package like a >$1,600 item, just so it can get assigned a USIN that the CBSA will recognize. Such a requirement would totally defeat the point of the program.

    She did offer me another number that WASN’T the tracking number. She called it the “Shipment ID#”. It was an 11 digit combination of letters and numbers. At this point, it seemed like maybe that was the USIN, but she was adamant that CBSA would not accept that number either. It would have to go back to Fort Erie, for the “royal treatment”.

    She further said that the item that arrives at my door doesn’t get any special number that CBSA would recognize until after they do the clearing. But they don’t actually do the clearing until AFTER they take your money at the door.

    So after yet another frustrating call with UPS, going further down this rabbit-hole, I gave up and decided to just receive the item and pay the bro.

    I collected all the documentation that arrived with the package at the door. I have:

    1. The waybill – which was clearly printed by the shipper after he used UPS.com to do the shipping. It had the to/from details, the tracking #, and the Shipment ID#, being the 11 digit combo of letters and numbers. Since this was printed by the shipper 2 days before it arrived in Fort Erie, I don’t think it has any special CBSA-assigned number on it.

    2. The Commercial invoice – I talked about this above. Has content details, weight, value, tracking #. This wasn’t enough for the CBSA guy.

    3. UPS brokerage invoice – the bill that the driver shows you to collect the bro and the taxes. This invoice has 2 more numbers that I hadn’t seen before. The UPS invoice number (9 digits, all numeric), and “Transaction No.”, which is 14 digits, all numeric). It also lists “Port of Entry – 0410 – Fort Erie”.

    At the end of the day, I am still no further ahead on understanding what the USIN is.

    My next step was to take all my documents back down to Pearson CBSA, and to have them show me what the USIN is. Because I have everything I am ever going to have right there in front of me.

    At this point, I’m not sure who is trying to be more difficult – UPS or the CBSA. I read other posts on other sites about how to clear items yourself, but NOWHERE does it mention EXACTLY what the USIN is. And this seems to be the hang up at the CBSA. It’s happened twice now, that I’ve gone to the office, thinking I had everything, and been bounced because of the stupid USIN.

    I won’t be near the airport for at least a week, so I’ll update again after that visit.

    Please, please, please, Trueler, let’s hunt this thing down until we kill it! We need to let people know exactly what to ask for, and exactly what to do. Or else the little guy just gets beaten down by the big machine of the system.

    If you can get SOMEBODY to commit to exactly what a USIN is, then please do… Because from my experience, a USIN is only a mythical creature that nobody has actually seen.

37. Hi All,

    I have posted official reply from CBSA to the end of this article which clarifies things. Please take a look which information and documents should be required at local CBSA office in order to self-clear and avoid UPS brokerage fees.

    Thanks,
    Trueler

38. Hi Aspen,

    Thank you for update!

    Sorry for confusion. “Unique Shipment Identifier Number” differs from UPS tracking number. It should be printed on the package, or you may call UPS to ask what “Unique Shipment Identifier Number” is.

    It looks like CBSA in Pearson was incorrect asking you for waybill. As I understand UPS already provided waybill to CBSA at the port of entry. But I believe UPS must provide waybill to you by request as well.

    The latest reply from CBSA indicated following documents and information which we need to bring to local customs office in order to self clear:

    “courier’s name, the unique shipment identifier number, a description of the goods and their value so that the CBSA can correctly assess the goods. This information is usually indicated on the shipment’s invoice, which will be provided to you by the courier company”

    Ask UPS for “unique shipment identifier number” and waybill. If they can’t provide waybill, ask for written refusal. Ask for shipment’s invoice as well.

    It looks like not only UPS makes obstacles on self-clearing process… The law tells that commercial invoice is enough, but CBSA in Pearson asks for waybill. Why?

    Ok. Let’s see how it goes tomorrow with your case. I’m going to order some stuff soon as well and go through the process of self clearing.

    That is right! If UPS just waives the fee it is not good. We have to establish an official way and force UPS to follow it! And let all the importers in Canada know about it.

    Thank you! Keep us updated.
    Trueler

    PS: it won’t be good if UPS will be excluded from CLVS program. If we will establish the way of self-clearing, we will definitely want to use UPS, because it is pretty fast.

39. Hi Trueler,
    I went to the CBSA office at Pearson today (Sunday – yes, they really are open 24/7!) to clear a UPS package. I had with me:

    1. Commercial Invoice – from the shipper, indicating shipper and receiver name and address, description of goods, value, weight and UPS’s tracking number labelled across the top. (I thought this would do the trick, but read on…)
    2. Ebay receipts with more details of the goods in the package – descriptions, photos, dollar value, dates, etc.
    3. Address of UPS’s facility at which the package was located (in this case, Barrie).
    4. The CBSA Memo D17-4-0, with the rules of the CLVS program – just so I could have an intelligent conversation about the program with the officer.

    The CBSA officer first asked me for the “waybill” from UPS. I said that I didn’t have it, I only had the CI with the tracking number on it. I referenced para 26 of the D17-4-0, which says:

    “26. The importer must be provided with a receipt containing the details of the transaction that was reported to the CBSA, in accordance with Memorandum D1-8-1. In addition, the unique shipment number (tracking number, i.e., waybill number) which is identified on the cargo/release list should be provided. ”

    This paragraph led me to believe that the “unique shipment identifier number” WAS the UPS tracking number.

    However, the Officer said NO. There was yet another number, which is the “Cargo control” number, and it is the unique number that was assigned to the shipment. It’s the number that the CBSA cares about, and NOT the tracking number.

    I contacted UPS last week and attempted to get all the info I needed. They gave me the CI, but they wouldn’t give me the waybill, insisting that if I need that information, they would have to send the item back to Fort Erie before they could somehow give me that information.

    The Officer was very clear about the following points:

    1. There is NOWHERE in the CBSA rules that says I need to go to Fort Erie, or whatever port of entry, to clear the item. He would have cleared it right there at Pearson if I had the waybill from UPS.
    2. There is NOWHERE in the CBSA rules that says UPS needs to send the item back to Fort Erie before they can release the waybill and the unique identifier/cargo control number to me.
    3. It is ENTIRELY UPS’s internal workings that make it so difficult to clear items yourself, more details below…
    4. UPS mis-represented themselves when they told me I could only clear “personal effects” items myself, and that all other items needed to be handled in Fort Erie.

    He further said that if I wanted to clear the item myself, UPS would likely send the item back to Fort Erie and then insist that I physically show up in Fort Erie to do the clearing. He further suggested that UPS does this so that they can also delay you to the point where they invoke their “any packages not picked up within 5 days are sent back to the shipper” policy.

    He said that after UPS sends it back to Fort Erie, they could then move it around again inside the province, but that they would then charge you extra fees for “in-bond” movements. Which would equal or exceed the ridiculous brokerage fees that you try to avoid in the first place. Again, there is nothing in the CBSA rules that says UPS needs to do this. Under the CLVS program, it’s not like their Fort Erie warehouse is an more bonded than the Barrie warehouse. It’s just “how they do it”.

    I asked if I could request that the CBSA cancel UPS’s authorization under the CLVS, quoting para 5 of the D17-4-0:

    “5. The CBSA may cancel a courier’s authorization to participate in the Courier LVS Program if the courier:
    (a) requests in writing that the CBSA do so;
    (b) is bankrupt;
    (c) made a misrepresentation in obtaining the authorization;
    (d) has failed to comply with any act or regulation that prohibits, controls or regulates the importation or exportation of goods into or out of Canada;
    (e) made a misrepresentation regarding the courier’s responsibilities as an authorized courier under this program; or
    (f) no longer meets the requirements in paragraph 4.”

    I said that it’s pretty clear that UPS has violated (d) and (e). They blatantly misrepresent the CLVS program to the general public, and specifically to me in this instance. They refused to provide the information I needed under para 21:

    “21. Once goods are released, the courier is responsible for providing the importer or customs broker with all release information and supporting documentation for each shipment. For commercial goods the courier needs an undertaking from the importer or the importer’s broker that the appropriate accounting will be completed and the duties and taxes will be paid. The importer or broker needs to have posted security with the CBSA to obtain release before payment.”

    In the above paragraph, “released” means that CBSA didn’t select the package for inspection when it originally crossed the border. It was “released” to move about in UPS’s possession inside the province. To me, this means the package can be anywhere in the UPS system, and UPS is RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING THE INFORMATION.

    The fact that they outright refuse to provide the information, at least without an (illegal) wild goose chase, means they are violating the terms of their participation in the CLVS program.

    Are there any lawyers out there listening to this? Do we have grounds for some kind of class-action lawsuit against UPS? Or at least some grounds to get them kicked out of the CLVS program? What should we do from here – please offer some legal suggestions….!?

    The officer understood my frustration, but he said that there is little he can do to get UPS kicked out of CLVS, and that was more a game for the politicians. Of course…

    So the bottom line of my attempt to clear today was that UPS didn’t/wouldn’t give me the right information.

    And the Officer was pretty clear that UPS makes it almost impossible to exercise your right to clear items yourself.

    Tomorrow I will contact UPS again and demand a copy of the waybill, with the CBSA-relevant control number on it. If they give me the “we have to send it back to Fort Erie” horse manure, I will inform them that they are violating the terms of their participation in the CLVS program, and see where that gets me.

    Sure, I want my brokerage fees waived on this shipment. But more importantly, I want EVERYBODY ELSE out there to also get around UPS’s extortionate brokerage fee, and in doing so, insist that UPS actually honours their responsibilities under the CLVS.

    In a sense, it’s too bad that UPS does waive the fee. Because it appeases the person, at the time, and the matter never gets escalated.

    I’ll let you know how it goes tomorrow…

40. Yes, I’m referencing to CBSA Memorandum D17-4-0 – Courier Low Value Shipment Program

    Here is the part of this law:

    17. Prior to or upon arrival of the shipment, the courier must present two copies of a cargo/release list to the CBSA.

    18. The border services officer reviews the list and highlights any shipments that require examination. Goods that have not been selected for examination are considered released. The border services officer will release stamp one copy of the list and return it to the courier as proof of release by the CBSA. The second copy is retained by the CBSA.

    19. Goods selected for examination must be presented to the CBSA in the designated CBSA area of the warehouse.
    Failure to present the selected goods may result in penalties. The border services officer examines the selected shipments and makes a decision either to release the shipments or to reject the goods from the cargo/release list.

    That means if the package is already with UPS in Canada (they are ready to deliver), so it has already been inspected (if needed) and released by Canada Customs.

    Note that it involves interaction only between CBSA and the courier. No brokers have to be involved in the process.

    Thanks! Hope you will be able to apply the law this time at Pearson CBSA office.

41. Hi Trueler,

    That is a good point – about Customs seeing the physical package. Do you have an reference for where it says that in the “official document”? Do you mean the D17-4-0 memo?

    I’m thinking that Customs would have a right to open and inspect any package – you know, to make sure there’s no drugs, or illegal stuff. They have that option right at the border. They must open random packages for security purposes? But what you’re saying is that they have their chance to open and inspect right there at the border. And then once they give UPS the go-ahead to move it, it’s effectively “cleared” from a security standpoint. Hmmm. Good stuff.

    On the whole, I still try to avoid using UPS. However, last time I did try to clear it myself. Although I did not have the correct documentation. I went to Pearson, but didn’t have the commercial invoice which linked item description, weight, tracking number, shipper, etc all together. I only had tracking number and ebay invoice. The folks at Pearson were really trying to help me, but they just didn’t have enough information. Live and learn. However, in the kafuffle to get info out of UPS, they offered to waive the brokerage fee, so at the end of the day it all worked out.

    I have another shipment I just refused at the door, and I’m making the trip to Pearson, but this time with a lot more information (commercial invoice CI, ebay invoice, UPS’s Barrie warehouse address, tracking info printed right on the CI). I tried to get UPS to waive the bro fee again, but no luck this time. So I’ll go again and let you know.

    It’s a PITA for me to get to Pearson, but it’s the closest CLVS office – plus it’s open 24/7.

42. Hi Aspen,

    First of all, thanks a lot for valuable input!

    This is true that UPS tracking information is very confusing, especially if ordering stuff from abroad for the first time. It may look like your package came to Canada border, failed clearance, and sent back to US, because it specifies locations US->Canada->US.

    Your point is correct. UPS makes it really a done deal with brokerage services. They tell that you “agree” to use UPS broker because you signed up for delivery with exporter.

    “PACKAGE DATA PROCESSED BY BROKERAGE. WAITING FOR CLEARANCE” actually means that items could be still in US, but electronic information about the item (value for duty, weight, etc.) has been sent to the port of entry and could be processed by brokerage. System is really designed to keep you from clearing yourself. UPS customer service is trained to keep you from clearing yourself as well!

    Under CLVS package may travel around Canada without taxes paid, but it can be released to the importer only when importer pays taxes. Your point is correct.

    When you clear items by yourself, Canada Customs can NOT ask you to show the physical package. It is wrong assumption. They can ask you only for the document which specifies item’s cost and tracking number. The thing is that Canada Customs at the port of entry already released the package! They could see it in order to inspect and correct value for duty, or just trust the documentation. This is what the official document says. Does it answer your question?

    “Bond Fees” are scam as well. That’s right, UPS pays taxes to Canada Customs only in the next month, when they actually took money from the importer at the delivery time. UPS does not pay anything from its own pocket, no “bonds” should be posted.

    Thanks again for your information!

    Are you clearing by yourself now? Can you please share your experience how you do it now? It looks like UPS is not aware of the new procedures yet…

    Thanks!
    Trueler

43. Oh, and another little gem that should make you mad…

    As part of the fee, UPS can charge you “Bond Fees”. Here is their explanation:

    “Bond Fees
    Customers are responsible for payment of duties and taxes. When funds are not provided in advance by the customer, and UPS must post a bond to allow UPS shipments to be released in advance of payment to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), a fee of 2.7 percent (minimum $5.85) of the amount advanced by UPS will be charged. To avoid bond fees, call 1-800-PICK-UPS and ask about our Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) plans.”

    Basically they are saying that they had to somehow “front” you the money for the taxes payable. BUT, under CLVS, they don’t actually REMIT the sales taxes to the government until the next month after you receive the item (and pay the taxes COD). So they sit on your money for days or weeks. And they have the nerve to charge you for supposedly fronting you the money, which they don’t actually do.

    To translate into english, “UPS must post a bond” essentially means “UPS promises to remit your money to the government next month”.

    It always amazes me the nonsense that companies can get away with just because the general public is uninformed.

44. May I add one more point:
    When you look up your tracking information, under the “Show Package Progress”, UPS makes matters extra confusing for importers (being people like you and I who buy stuff from the US). They use phrases like:

    “PACKAGE DATA PROCESSED BY BROKERAGE. WAITING FOR CLEARANCE / RECEIVER’S CUSTOMS BROKER HAS BEEN ASSIGNED. THE SHIPMENT IS NOW RELEASED TO MOVE IN TRANSIT”

    This comment makes it sound like the receiver (being YOU) has somehow assigned UPS to be your Customs Broker. And all you had to do was… nothing!

    My point is that UPS makes it sound like it’s a done deal.

    My favourite is this entry:

    “PACKAGE DATA PROCESSED BY BROKERAGE. WAITING FOR CLEARANCE ”

    UPS often posts this entry while the item is still physically in the USA. So all the stuff they say about needing to be in Fort Erie, or whatever point of entry, is hogwash. And their system’s comments are designed to keep you from clearing items yourself.

    The way I understand the Courier Low Value Shipment Program (CLVS) is that the big couriers are allowed to bring items across the border, and move them around inside the country (despite not officially being “customs cleared” yet). It’s really only after you pay the bill at your door that they actually do the clearing. The system is designed so that there aren’t 50 million packages sitting in Fort Erie waiting for people to pay the HST before UPS can put them on a delivery truck. UPS is “bonded” under CLVS, which means Canada Customs “trusts” them to move stuff around inside the country and collect the proper taxes. Again, otherwise stuff would have to literally sit at the border until it was tax-paid and could move.

    My point here is that under CLVS, there is no difference between UPS’s Barrie sorting facility, and the Fort Erie port of entry. Both facilities are bonded to move “uncleared” items around. So when they tell you they have to ship the item back to Fort Erie for you to clear yourself (as they told me today on the phone), it just isn’t true under CLVS. A bonded warehouse is a bonded warehouse. That’s the whole point of the program. I suppose you could even think of the brown trucks as “bonded trucks” too. Being on the truck is effectively the same as being in Fort Erie.

    I assume that Canada Customs *could* get picky and ask to see the physical package. In that case, I have no idea what happens. I would imagine that UPS would be obliged to produce the package somehow. I’ve never been down that road – perhaps someone else could comment on this??

    Anyways, don’t let UPS push you around. It will take many people doing their own clearing, and then maybe we will see flat-rate $5 brokerage fees from UPS, just like we see from Canada Post.

45. Hi Dean,

    In the last reply from CBSA, they indicated the second document as:

    “a description of the goods and their value so that the CBSA can correctly assess the goods. This information is usually indicated on the shipment’s invoice, which will be provided to you by the courier company”.

    Most likely, they needed shipment invoice which UPS driver showed you at the delivery attempt (my invoice shows “value for duty”, brokerage fee, and so on). Next time you (and other importers) should just grab this invoice from the driver and go to CBSA office. Then schedule another delivery with B15 on hands, or go to warehouse.

    However, according to the law, sellers invoice should be enough. Looks like Calgary CBSA office was incorrect asking you for additional documentation. But logically, from the customs point of view, it should be some tie between tracking number and item’s price, so they are asking for document where value for duty and tracking number are identified together. But the law is the law.

    From your frustrating experience, UPS in Calgary is unfamiliar with proper procedures. CBSA assured me that they will contact the courier company to inform them about it. Probably it is still in process. Since you provided them with applicable laws, maybe they will review it and apply for future cases. I think we may call it a success.

    Thank you for update!

    If I see more complaints on UPS behavior around brokerage fee, I will definitely try to escalate the issue again.

    Thanks!
    Trueler

46. Thanks for the tips Trueler. I regret not reading them before I went out today! Well, I have my package and I managed to to avoid paying brokerage fees, but I don’t know if I would necessarily call it a success since technically I wasn’t able to self clear.

    I took my tracking number, warehouse address and sellers invoice with me to the Calgary CBSA office (#701). I told them I needed a B15 and the CBSA agent refused to give me one because I didn’t have a shipping manifest or some other form (I forget the name of it – Cargo Control Document maybe?). She said I would have to go to the UPS warehouse and get the form from them and come back. I showed the agent section 56 of D 17-4-0 which says the I only need to supply the unique shipment identifier number and address of the warehouse where the shipment is being held but she refused to budge. I asked her what I should do if UPS refused to give me the form and she said they had to because I had the right to self clear.

    I drove to the UPS warehouse and told the clerk I had a package waiting and I wanted the form so I could self clear. She nodded a bunch but I could tell she wasn’t really listening. She brought out the package and told me to sign a form which granted UPS Power of Attorney for being my broker and I needed to pay GST and brokerage fees. I refused to sign and said again I wanted to self clear and I needed the shipping manifest. She said she didn’t know anything about that and had to call someone else to help me. After a 20 minute wait another UPS employee came out of the back and suggested we step outside to talk about it. We went outside and I said I wanted to self clear and she said I couldn’t. She was very confrontational and said the same things as the UPS woman on the phone I spoke to several days before: ie. the package would have to be sent back to Vancouver, etc. Flabbergasted, I just asked her outright: “Are you refusing to allow me to self clear my shipment?” She said “Yes, I am.” Would you put that in writing? “Yes.” I told her I had the legal right to self clear and she said UPS doesn’t allow it. I don’t know if she began to doubt her stance or if she was tired of dealing with me but she then said “Tell you what, you promise never to ship using UPS Ground again and I’ll waive the brokerage fees.” I told her I had already decided never to use UPS again and I had no problem with her conditions. We went back inside and while waiting to pay, I showed her the relevant sections of D17-4-0, the CBSA response to someone asking how to self clear, the post by LVSinfo, etc. She seemed a little surprised at the information, her hostility disappeared and her mood visibly changed. She asked if she could make copies of the information and I told her to keep them, please! I don’t know if she was a little remorseful for her hard stance previously but she gave me her first name (Darlene) and work number should I need to call her although she said she understood I had already decided not to use UPS ever again. I told her I would be willing to use UPS again as long as they abide by the law. Our conversation ended much more civilly than it started.

    From todays experience I would have to say that neither the UPS or CBSA Calgary offices know how the “self clearing” process is supposed to work. UPS doesn’t think it’s required of them to allow it and the CBSA seems to think that forms are needed that the importer is unlikely to have or be able to get from UPS. Overall it was a very frustrating experience which I don’t plan on having again.

    Trueler, feel free to email me if you need additional information to pass on to the CBSA.

    Cheers,
    Dean

47. Hi Hammerman,

    UPS will probably send this case to collection agency, so it is not a very good idea just not to pay and forget about it. It may affect your credit history.

    What you need to do is to take your unique shipment identifier number and invoice which tells what kind of goods you received and what is the value for duty and go to local Canada customs (CBSA) office to pay $18 taxes. They will provide you with official receipt that taxes have been paid. Then you show (or fax) this receipt to UPS.

    There are several CBSA offices in GTA. One of them in Brampton already received updated procedure and they know what to do. I got another reply from CBSA today about this issue. Other customs offices probably know what to do as well.

    CBSA replied that importer can refuse package and pay taxes by himself or herself to local CBSA office, and then schedule another delivery with UPS.

    Please let us know how it goes. If you have any questions or troubles we will try to help. If you need location of CBSA office we can send it to you as well.

    Thanks!

48. hi

    I refused to pay the $40 brokerage on a package with a value of $139 today. I grabbed the box and took it inside and offered to pay the HST but the UPS guy refused. He came back three times to ask for the package blocked and at one point blocked by driveway with another UPS truck while they transferred stuff from one to the other…not sure if this was intentional or coincidental since he had to come back to do it.

    I again offered to pay the taxes of $18 and change….refused to take it. Demanded $62 which included HST on the brokerage.

    I don;t care if I never get another package from UPS again. I will not pay. I contracted for shipping and paid the seller shipping. I expect to pay tax but I will not be held to ransom.

    Anyone else done this? What happens next? A few years ago I got an invoice at an office where I was working for some unsolicited packages…samples….and they were asking for a brokerage fee…I told the guy to screw off and he threatened to go to the president of the company…I said…go, if he signs off on the invoice, it’s his money. (it wasn’t UPS and this was long before internet shopping became popular…)

    I understand that DHL and USPS don’t charge this ridiculous fee.

49. Thanks for sharing your experience, Dean.

    Please drop here a line how it goes with clearing.

    LVSFree/LVSInfo gave good advices in various forums: they are based purely on the law. But this law has never been applied by UPS, so they convince customers that there is no such law, because otherwise they will loose millions of dollars on brokerage fees. I have escalated the issue to CBSA, and they promised to inform UPS about the new procedure. So, I hope this CLVS law will be applied on practice by UPS soon. Insist on your rights! If you have time, try to get from local UPS warehouse in Calgary refusal in written, that they do not allow to self-clear. Try to go your local CBSA office with tracking number, invoice, and address of UPS warehouse where goods are held, and money to pay taxes. If they (CBSA office) don’t want to clear your items, call to CBSA line directly from their office, and tell that CBSA recently confirmed that it should be new procedure.

    Thanks!

50. I just heard the same lies from a UPS agent (Ann in Team 86, 12:30 Sep 15, 1-800-742-5877) as described in this article.

    Yesterday UPS attempted first delivery of an item I ordered from a California electronics manufacturer. The value of the single item was $157 CAD. UPS wanted $49 Brokerage COD! (~$8 GST + a $41 brokerage fee!) While googling around for UPS brokerage information I stumbled across this very informative site.

    Armed with the new-found knowledge that I could clear the items myself, I called UPS and told them I wasn’t going to pay their overpriced brokerage fee and would do it myself. “Ann in Team 86” did everything to convince me it couldn’t be done. She said that the parcel would be sent back to Vancouver and it would have to be cleared there. I told her that was incorrect and that it should be held at the local warehouse in Calgary. She then said that I wouldn’t be able to clear the item myself with the CBSA because it wasn’t a casual item “like clothes sent from a friend or relative”. I told her that was incorrect as well. She didn’t exactly refuse to let me do my own brokering but she was otherwise completely useless in helping me. The parcel is now being held at their warehouse and I have 5 days to pick it up before it is sent back. Luckily I remembered to ask for the address where the package was going to be held (in this case the Calgary UPS warehouse). Apparently this may be required by the CBSA. The invoice and tracking number I already have. Hopefully all goes well and I’ll be able to report back with positive news.

    In summary, UPS is still spinning the same lies and don’t count on UPS “instructing you what to need to do”.

    See also for some excellent tips and information (the comment by LVSFree further down on that blog was especially informative for DIY brokering)