( 
)This guide is a must read by SELLERS and BUYERS.
Domestic shipping via UPS is convenient and inexpensive.
HOWEVER, when shipping internationally, UPS charges the buyer exorbitant brokerage fees. These fees are not disclosed until the UPS agent is at the door saying 'pay up'. From personal experience, the fees are between 40 and 60 % of the cost of the product being shipped to Canada. UPS literally extorts money from the buyer: "pay the fees or you don't get your product", and from the seller if the buyer refuses: "pay for us to ship it back to you or we destroy it". UPS charges brokerage fees even if there are no taxes or tariffs due on the product.
Shipping via insured United States Postal Service (USPS) is about the same in postage, takes a little longer, but is insured and the brokerage fee is a flat seven dollars plus any taxes. If there are no taxes or tariffs, there is no brokerage fee! Go USPS!
Don't take my word for this, check out the 150+ reviews at Epinions, where UPS has 1/5 (the lowest possible rating): www.epinions.com/content_245070532228
Roy Jensen
About me: I live in Alberta, Canada and have been purchasing from eBay for several years. I was stung twice by UPS (75 $ brokerage on a 160 $ order and 55 $ on a 100 $ order) and since then have always requested sellers ship via insured USPS. If they forget and ship via UPS, I refuse the package. If they refuse to ship via USPS, I shop elsewhere. I will not give my money to a greedy, bloated company.
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