Canadians beware!!

[gypsy1]

For the second (of two!) shipments from MP, FedEx has levied an additional $10 charge labelled "ROD". I called them and was told that this is "Brokerage and Handling Fees", and charged by the Canadian FedEx. MP claims that brokerage is included, but someone needs to deal with FedEx about this. The costs of shipping your books are greatly increased because of this unfair charge, which, of course, attracts additional taxation (our GST). By the way, UPS does not do this! I would recommend that you find an American shipping address near the border, that you can go pick up your books yourself. The landed cost of one 32-page photobook is now around $19.00, even with the 50% off discount!! MP - what do you say??

gypsy1

[dasani]

I guess MP just decides not to say anything about this.

[corporallouis]

Our Canadian portion of their sales is probably more of a nuisance to them than anything else. Canadians get SCREWED every time we shop across the border if we have to use either of these shipping pirates. If I lived close to the border I'd have my own box in the American Post Office . . . guaranteed ! Unfortunately the vast majority do not have that option. I would sooner stick hot needles in my eyes than deal with either Fedex or UPS . . pronounced " Oops ". These guys are well hated on both sides of the border.

[mypublisher]

Hi all,

Unfortunately, we do not have any control over what the Canadian government charges for custom duties or other taxes. Sometimes photobooks are not marked for taxes and sometimes they are, so it really seems to depend on the customs agent checking in the imports at the time your photo books enter Canada.

Because these fees vary so much, it is impossible for us to predict what you will be charged.

The customer is responsible for all taxes and import duties on international orders.

The photo book shipments to Canada are scheduled to arrive in 3-5 business days via FedEx - Canada Express, which can also be tracked. This method also eliminates unknown, and often unexpected, brokerage fees which could occur under other shipping methods. Our shipping method includes this expense in the pricing.

Thank you for your understanding.

MyPublisher

[corporallouis]

" This method also eliminates unknown, and often unexpected, brokerage fees which could occur under other shipping methods." Good Lord . . have you been reading the posts ? This is exactly what is happening NOW. You charge brokerage and so does Fedex. This is one of those "unexpected" brokerage fees is it not . . . :confused:

[fotojuraj]

I am in Ontario, Canada. So far I've published about 15 books. Here is my personal experience:
If the order from MP contains one book, that is not too expensive (lets say 50 pages, Classic Book), there are usually no additional fees at the Canadian border.
If the book contains close to 100 pages, then there is addional fee collected, but not always (it probably depends on a mood of brokerage clerk).
If you order 2-3 copies of the same book (now making it more expensive), the additional fees are collected.
Here are the figures from my latest 3 book order:
MP declared the value of 3 books to be $90 US.
On FedEx receipt, they used 1.29 as exchange rate (even though it is actually 1.21 today), that made Value for Duty at $116.72 Can.
Fees collected are:
Customs $0
Sima $0 ??? unknown what this is
Excise Tax $0
GST $5.84
PST $0
ROD Fee $10.00 ??? unknown what this is, but guessing "Handling Fee"
ASF $0 ??? unknown what this is
GST $0.50 probably on ROD fee above

Total collected by FedEx $16.34

My personal opinion is that some imaginary dollar figure of the book order "triggers" GST calculation (which goes to Canadian Federal Government) and that the ROD Fee is something that FedEx keeps for their trouble, providing receipt and collecting this tax.
A total Rip-Off!