Does customs open UPS, fedex etc packages?
10-10-00 | 11:18 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Toronto,ON,CAN
I was wondering if the customs from your countries open packages sent from these couriers. I know that canadian customs opens "a lot" of packages sent via Regular Mail so I am curious as to which packages they will check or not check if they were sent via one of the couriers - UPS, FEDEX, DHL etc.
10-12-00 | 02:06 AM
#3
Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I hope I understood your question here and you're asking about shipping to Canada. 
In my experience, the courier companies usually do not open packages. They go by the info declared and take care of calculating the taxes and handling fees - known as "brokerage".
This bokerage "service" is usually billed to you. DHL charges $5, UPS charges some ridiculous amount like $20-$30, and the fee is usually included with Fedex so I don't know the exact figure.
It's generally not cost-effective to use a courier company just to avoid customs charges unless you're buying an expensive item and having the sender under-declaring it (so that they don't open it and find the real value).
Purolator is an exception since they're 90% owned by Canadapost so customs charges seem to be waived (with Amazon anyway).
------------------
GoldfishLegs.com <== Canadian Deals 'n Steals
In my experience, the courier companies usually do not open packages. They go by the info declared and take care of calculating the taxes and handling fees - known as "brokerage".
This bokerage "service" is usually billed to you. DHL charges $5, UPS charges some ridiculous amount like $20-$30, and the fee is usually included with Fedex so I don't know the exact figure.
It's generally not cost-effective to use a courier company just to avoid customs charges unless you're buying an expensive item and having the sender under-declaring it (so that they don't open it and find the real value).
Purolator is an exception since they're 90% owned by Canadapost so customs charges seem to be waived (with Amazon anyway).
------------------
GoldfishLegs.com <== Canadian Deals 'n Steals
10-12-00 | 02:14 AM
#4
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,824
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Berlin
They do if they suspect the stuff is porno or something.
And now Malaysian customs have been holing even CD ripping open the box and they sending them, they just dont care wheather its private or not.Just my expereince.
Sometimes they just withhold the box and ask you to pick it up and when you do then here comes the tax and stuff with it.
But the express mailed stuff is never touched, maybe cause they look more expensive and important.
And now Malaysian customs have been holing even CD ripping open the box and they sending them, they just dont care wheather its private or not.Just my expereince.
Sometimes they just withhold the box and ask you to pick it up and when you do then here comes the tax and stuff with it.
But the express mailed stuff is never touched, maybe cause they look more expensive and important.
