UPS question, about high Brokerage amount

[webnewland]

Hi:
I live in Vancouver, Canada and bought something from US that was shipped through UPS here (5.7lb package consisting of 2 jackets). On the note they left at my door, the Brokerage Amount box was checked and with a value of $44.30. I was wondering what this is and why I have to pay for it? The jackets I paid $40 for and instructed the sender to ship it as Gift with a value of $20.
I also checked the extended sevice area at UPS's website to see if that's the reason, and my area is within their normal service area.
Is there anyway around this? I just paid for tuition/textbook so my budget is very stretched, I certainly don't want to pay some tax that's more than the price I originally paid for the package
Thanks

 

[fr]

I think it is the customs charge that you have to pay when using UPS to ship across the border. Next time get the sender to send it through the US Postal Service.

 

[oniq]

Originally posted by: fr
I think it is the customs charge that you have to pay when using UPS to ship across the border. Next time get the sender to send it through the US Postal Service.

Ouch. If this is true sucks to be webnewland

 

[webnewland]

Originally posted by: fr
I think it is the customs charge that you have to pay when using UPS to ship across the border. Next time get the sender to send it through the US Postal Service.

Ya before I had to pay custom charges on some CD's I received through USPS, but the reason I instructed the seller to mark it as $20 valued gift package because Border tax doesn't apply to package like that. So I'm really surprised to see this charge

 

[kermalou]

another reason it sucks to live in Canada

 

[webnewland]

so anyone know how I can get around this charge?
Would calling UPS telling them that the seller has already labeled the package as $20 and gift do any good?

 

[Viperoni]

The problem is that UPS owns their own brokerage house... they likely tacked on a $25 service charge on top of a $5 "regular" brokerage fee and then the tax and etc etc.
Basically, scam artists.

NEVER EVER ship UPS from US to Canada, EVER.