On 9 Sep 2004 05:38:55 -0700, (gerry) wrote:

"Ken Davey" wrote in message ...
Rant mode
Do these assholes have some sort of a lock on internet material suppliers in
the USA?
Shipping to Canada is so expensive with this outfit that I automatically
cancel an order if that is the only shipping option offered.
Aside from the fact that many US distributors seem to deliberately ignore
the Canadian market those that do ship to Canada seem to be in love/bed with
UPS.
Get with it guys. We have money too but we are not going to be stupid with
it.
/rant mode
Regards.
Ken.

I purchased some items from a firm in Nebraska a few weeks ago. I
requested the parcel be sent via U.S. Postal Service. The guy
commented right away about the UPS ripoff. When the goods arrived at
the border, they were taken by PBB Logistics. That's an outfit run by
Purolator and under contract to Canada Post to handle parcels from the
USPS. I recieved in the mail an invoice from PBB for the duty and
taxes owing. Around $20 including brokerage fee. They charge 3% of the
due amount as their fee. Minimum $5.


And if it is sent by normal post, Canada Post only dings you $5
handling fee plus applicable taxes (gst, and sometimes PST)

A lot of small packages just pass through without any tax or fee.

Purolator's shipping charges are a bit higher than the others, but
international shipping rates INCLUDE brokerage - or they did the last
time I used them from the USA, a couple years ago