or just have them sent to an american relative and smuggle them across the border. Shh I don't do that.

 

RRM was kind of bad about not marking the stuff like I told them to. I specifically told them to mark the customs tag as "Gift Item" so I wouldn't get hit with the charge, and they failed to do it. All in all, for my grille and strut bar, I got hit with about $175 CAD of brokerage fee. And that IS a big kick in the *** when the items aren't that expensive to begin with.

In their defense, if they declare the value of the item and not as a gift in the customs forms, then when FedEx loses it, FedEx is responsible, and RRM doesn't get screwed because there's no insurance. It's a hard choice to make, but personally from now on, I'm going to call LB Performance in Montreal before I order anything from RRM. They carry all of RRM's stuff anyway.

 

Uh... that's not the right site. It's LB Performance, not L&B Performance, and their URL is http://www.lbperformance.net. Correct me if I'm wrong. They're also redoing their site, so there's nothing there right now, not even a phone number.

 

I worked for Canada Post. As some said, the best way to go is to go through USPS. But even if it's marked as a "gift", there will be fees if it exceeds 70 CD$.

By the way, I ordered some rims & tires and got them shipped through UPS. They kept them for a week because the guy wrote that the value was 100$ overall (apparently UPS is not stupid) and they re-evaluated the price!!! They charged me 150 CD$ of custom fees. Then, like many of y'alls, I got another bill of 50 CD$. I didn't pay it and don't plan to pay it. Do you know what could happen? I still receive items through UPS.

Also, LB Performance are not RRM retailers. If they are, so am I. They just buy and sell to you since most of us are innocent! With the $$ they make, they modify cars. They don't even have anymore their amazing Lancer.

 

UPS will probably send you a few notices, and after final notice, they'll take you to collections. Better off to pay them; I know it hurts, but 7 years bad credit is worse.

 

I totally agree with you and never forget they have the law on their side.

 

what we need is a shop just across the border that will let us ship our parts there. I'd pay a $20-$30 holding fee rather than $100+ to the man. Know of anyone interested in this idea please let me know. I would be happy to go across to meet them I only live in Niagara falls ON.

 

If you ship UPS, have the seller fill out this form to you own needs

http://www.ups.com/media/invoice_4.pdf

I just learned the hard and expensive way.

 

If at all possible try to get stores in the US to ship via USPS. That way you get the brokerage done by PHB. Their flat rate is 7.50$ CAD plus duties and taxes. I find that UPS has a fluxuating (sp?) flat rate starting at around 30$ CAD and going up from there plus duties and taxes. I've seen bills that have brokerage fees of
120$ CAD plus duties and taxes....

Small items under 20 grams (I think I'll have to look it up again) that are shipped through regular mail are not searched by Customs and they will never be assesed duties and taxes. (I think I remembered that right....)

Later

Steve