Question regarding Customs Fees and eBay

[SirChadwick]

I've never bought anything from outside of the US and Canada... but just recently I bought something on eBay from the UK. No where in the auction did it state that I would have to pay Customs fees and today (3 weeks later) I get a bill from FedEX saying that I owe $41.00. Is this normal practice? Can someone shed a little more light on how this works? Thanks.

 

[SirChadwick]

anyone?

 

[aplefka]

you got pwned.

 

[Cawchy87]

UPS and Fedex will charge you every time

 

[SirChadwick]

Ok, thanks for the info... but I need more. Why is it just UPS and FedEX?

 

[Colt45]

customs has nothing to do with the shipper, it's inflicted by the reciever's govn't.


now, fedex and UPS like to buffer the straight tax/duty with a "brokerage" fee that is sometimes more than the actual tax/duty.

 

[Cawchy87]

Because they are private companies. But then again, I have only gotten packages from fedex, ups, and usps. usps is the best imo.

 

[SirChadwick]

So is it honestly my responsibility to pay for these fees or the sellers?

 

[Cawchy87]

yours.

 

[SirChadwick]

After reading the bill it says I ower $36.90 for Customs Duty and $5.00 for an advancement fee whatever the f*ck that is.

 

[sundev]

Usually that price includes the additional price you have to pay (e.g. taxes or whatever it is), as well as FedEx's fee for "Customs Brokerage". Basically a fee that FedEx charges to get your stuff across the border. In fact, this is usually what the bulk of the additional fee you are charged is comprised of.

I believe that any large carrier (UPS, FedEx for sure) charges these fees to cross Customs. I think that generally you can get around this if the item is marked as "personal" or as a gift. Also, if you ship via the postal service you are not charged these fees.

Look on FedEx's site for their specific policy of Customs fees.

 

[Cawchy87]

I do belive that is FedEX charging you 5 dollars for calculating that you ow 36.90.

 

[SirChadwick]

Thanks sundevb... finally some helpful info! Much appreciated.