US orders from Robertwhite - duties?

[topazbullet]

Hey, has any one ordered an M8 from Roberwhite during January for the rebate? If so, were there duties and brokerage fees to be paid COD for the UPS shipment? UPS w ants $87 from me for the shipment

[rand777]

i ordered an m8 in early Jan from Richard Caplan who shipped via DHL and there was no import charge. When a lens i ordered via robert white arrived last week though, it was via ups, and they charged me $57 as a "brokerage fee" they called it.

[peter_n]

Correct, it is a "brokerage fee". Look at your UPS tracking page and you will see the line items. It is a fee that UPS charges for "clearing" the item through "customs". A ripoff as there is no import duty on still camera equipment coming into the U.S. Pay it with a smile and always insist on "no UPS" for items you buy overseas in the future.

[topazbullet]

Thanks for the responses... I wish I had known this before I picked UPS shipping

[peter_n]

You live and learn. I had the experience late last year when I bought a dSLR from Ffordes in Scotland. Very annoying...

[Doug]

Yes, I almost selected "Royal Mail" but recalled bad words expressed about them, so went "safe" with UPS... and got dinged for the brokerage fee. I kicked myself for not working out an alternative shipper with Robert White on this 35mm Summilux ASPH. They did credit back the Leica rebate to my credit card, though; very smooth, nice service.

[enochRoot]

weird. i got a lens from robert white last week. they sent it ups (i didn't have a choice), and there was no COD charge at all. i guess it must just be the (bad) luck of the draw.

[peter_n]

Or maybe UPS isn't allowed to gyp their customers in Ohio?

[Thardy]

What shipping options are there from UK to US?

[scottwallick]

I ordered a lens from Robert White back in December. Also received via USPS. About two to three weeks later, I received an invoice from UPS for US$7 in customs-related charges.

[Paul T.]

I had a pack of books sent from the US to the UK via UPS and they sent me a huge invoice for VAT and brokerage.

I spent the usual 24 hours or so cussing and fussing. Then wrote them a letter telling them that books are VAT exempt and that I wasn't going to pay them. They sent a nice reply with an apology, acknowledging the bill was incorrect.

Not saying it will work but it has to be worth a try?

[peter_n]

Originally Posted by Thardy

What shipping options are there from UK to US?

The British postal service, known as the Royal Mail.

Originally Posted by scottwallick

I ordered a lens from Robert White back in December. Also received via USPS. About two to three weeks later, I received an invoice from UPS for US$7 in customs-related charges.

I don't understand. You received by USPS so presumably it was shipped by the Royal Mail, correct? And you got an invoice from UPS? What did UPS have to do with it?

[gdi]

Did UPS hold the item till you paid, or did they send an invoice after the fact? If it was after, did you sign anything agreeing to pay the fees at time of delivery?

If you didn't agree to anything, why wouldn't they try to get the money from the shipper ?

[benlees]

Have a look at the UPS website. All their fees are listed. If you use UPS you will save money if you use their more expensive services as brokerage fees are often included- with the total being much less than Standard+brokerage fee. UPS Standard will earn you brokerage fees, other services will not. Some venders offer UPS Saver which has reduced fees.

I avoid UPS and Fed Ex, if possible, to stay away from these ridiculous costs. This means a lot of vendors are also avoided if they only deal with UPS. Sometimes you can call them and ask for USPS.

[PhotoMat]

When I received my M8 from Robert White last month, I also paid a brokerage fee to UPS -- $66 if I recall. I had ordered from RW several times in the past and this is the first time that I have ended up paying a fee. I'm not too upset though--I still saved over $1000 compared to the U.S. prices.

[digitalintrigue]

I got a bill from a company called IBC Customs Brokerage for a camera I bought out of the UK that shipped via DPD (Dynamic Parcel Delivery, UK.)

The bill said "this invoice represents the payment of duties and taxes for a shipment processed through US Customs on your behalf."

I faxed them a copy of the US Harmonized Tariff code showing there are no duties on cameras, and told them to not bill me again as it wouldn't be paid.

[gdi]

Originally Posted by digitalintrigue

I got a bill from a company called IBC Customs Brokerage for a camera I bought out of the UK that shipped via DPD (Dynamic Parcel Delivery, UK.)

The bill said "this invoice represents the payment of duties and taxes for a shipment processed through US Customs on your behalf."

I faxed them a copy of the US Harmonized Tariff code showing there are no duties on cameras, and told them to not bill me again as it wouldn't be paid.

That was my point, if you didn't contract with them, why would you pay?

[dfoo]

Apparently in Canada at least, these "brokerage fees" can be refused, and you can do it yourself at the local customs office. Personally I refuse to use FedEx and UPS and use instead USPS/Canada Post which charges a much more reasonable $5 for customs clearance.

[enochRoot]

i have actually cleared something through customs before and it's no big deal at all. i had some large (and heavy) speakers sent from japan some years ago, and i drove down to the local customs office to take care of it (rather than paying $150 for some brokers to take care of it).

all of the info online makes it sound like customs HATE dealing with individuals and you really should hire someone to take care of it. personally i found the customs officers to be very friendly and helpful. one weird thing though...they carry guns! it was kind of surprising seeing some clerks on the other side of the window with sidearms as it was just an office in a nondescript building out by the airport.