carrier charges: a cautionary tale

[parrot]

I am still recovering from the experience of importing an Elma attenuator from the US to Australia via UPS. The cost of the switch was (a very reasonable) $82US. The cost of postage was (a very unreasonable) $99. After currency conversion this transaction comes to $254AUD. There was no duty or GST payable on this transaction but $49.25 went to what is described as "Customs entry fee". This is evidently an avoidable charge paid by default because UPS choose to lodge an electronic bypass of customs inspection rather than doing a physical transfer of paperwork (a weird inversion of computerized cost savings!).

One alternative to using UPS from the US is to use Air Parcel Post. According to their website the cost for the same transction with insurance would have been $17.08US.

It may be that UPS is a more relaible carrier than Air Parcel Post (though I don't have evidence either way on this). In this case I could have imported two switches through Air Parcel Post for the price of bringing in one by UPS.

Before importing anything from the US (or anywhere) I strongly recommend insisting on inclusion of a figure for postage in the quote you receive. I also suggest you check the websites of various carriers (eg UPS; www.ups.com , Air Parcel Post; www.smokerstuff.com/Order/PPAirLong.htm) and do NOT let the companies you deal with make the choice for you.

please pass this on,

parrot

footnote: since posting this note on another forum I have received reponses supporting my point about the cost of UPS services. There have also been comments suggesting that UPS is anything but a reliable carrier and that the "Customs Entry Fee" charge is levied in countires other than Australia.

[Brett]

I feel for you. I've been through this myself, and now specifically ask sellers overseas whether they'll ship via post; if they won't I buy elsewhere unless the object is very bulky or expensive which either makes it impossible to post, or the extra costs at this end are an acceptable extra percentage.
I've made a number of posts on this subject in the past.

It may be that UPS is a more relaible carrier than Air Parcel Post (though I don't have evidence either way on this)

USPS especially is very relaible and prompt to Australia, based on > 1000 items received. Just pay for economy air or surface as the express/priority is not really any faster, maybe 5 days instead of 7.
I also find insurance, even a nominal amount seems to get the package treated better, even though I've never had a real problem. The courier companies aren't usually any better for service, and take longer, as they have to contact you, collect the $ you owe, then re-despatch the item.
Bollocks, post for me.

[rabbitz]

USPS win every time to Oz. Most of my deliveries take 5-6 days and have never had a problem. If the seller insists on UPS take you business elsewhere.

[Brett]

Originally posted by Brett
Just pay for economy air or surface as the express/priority is not really any faster, maybe 5 days instead of 7.

Sorry, I mean of course that economy air isn't much different than Priority Air in transit time. Surface of course takes longer, but is no less reliable and can easily save $US50 for a heavy speaker driver.

Originally posted by rabbitz
USPS win every time to Oz. Most of my deliveries take 5-6 days and have never had a problem. If the seller insists on UPS take you business elsewhere.

Ditto FedEx, DHL or even TNT. Had the same problems with all.

[parrot]

Thanks to all who replied ....

I hope that spreading the word in this way will help people make better decisions about freight in the future. It seems we all make this mistake once but it would be good to save the unintiated from even the first error.

A permanent list of user recommended carriers would be very useful to all members of this forum thought the provisional message here seems to be that, for small parcels, you post it by regualr mail. At the other end of the scale it would also be handy to know who is relaible for expensive items as it can be a bit scary waiting and hoping for these to arrive.

Parrot

[rcavictim]

UPS adds about $50.00 and up depending on the value of the goods as an automatic Brokerage Fee to deliver goods shipped from the USA into Canada. Then add the taxes and duties and the dollar conversion and it'll cost you $100.00 for a $5.00 component. FORGET UPS. I don't call them OOPS for nothing.

Bringing goods in via post office saves all this abuse.