Canadians ordering from the states! at DVinfo.net

Jeff Toogood · January 17th, 2005, 10:35 PM

I have ordered my Sony PD170 from B&H and expected delivery tomorrow, but I just checked the UPS website and this is the status:

Status: Exception

Jan 17, 2005
10:52 P.M.

FREDERICTON, NB, CA

POWER OF ATTORNEY DOCUMENTATION IS MISSING AND IS REQUIRED FOR CLEARANCE

Anybody know what the heck this is about? Power of Attorney?? I have ordered stuff from the states before without any problems.

Can anybody help me out?

Thanks

Jack Smith · January 17th, 2005, 11:01 PM

Never heard that one!
I'd call them, sounds like somebody goofed
smitty

Dylan Couper · January 18th, 2005, 02:47 AM

That's a WTF...

No idea.

Jeff Toogood · January 18th, 2005, 05:51 AM

Well it seemed to be OK, but I just checked again and now it says

Status: Exception
Jan 18, 2005
6:34 A.M.

MOUNT HOPE, ON, CA

RECEIVER REQUESTED CLEARANCE BY NON-UPS BROKER.

Now what?

David Stone · January 18th, 2005, 11:07 AM

This has happened to me before. It has to do with the broker that the shipping company uses. I have ordered items from California and they have been shipped to the east coast and held for a week while awaiting customs clearance. When I get an item shipped from the U.S.A. I always ask what the shipping and customs charges are. Usually they tell me the shipper but the broker seems to be a matter of luck. It makes a big difference because it seems that the brokers have a big difference in their fees. I have been trying to encourage the U.S. sponsors to make inquiries about the brokers they use for shipping and the fees charged so that we know in advance. It is very frustrating and that is why, if possible, I order from a Canadian supplier. I like the people at B&H, Zotz, etc. but the shippers and customs can be quite a hassle.

Jeff Toogood · January 18th, 2005, 11:26 AM

Apparently it has something to do with me using my Business name on the invoice.
They were looking for my GST # and my brokerage company!!!
WTF.
I think it is all straightened around.
In the future I will never use my business name if it causes this many problems.

David Stone · January 18th, 2005, 11:41 AM

Let me know if there are any additional charges from the broker.

Glenn Chan · January 18th, 2005, 10:12 PM

For Canadian buyers, you should try hard to avoid UPS Ground. On top of tax (GST, PST, and/or HST) and handling fees ($5 or more), they charge brokerage fees on top of that. They're fairly high, so much so it may have been cheaper to ship UPS expedited/blue/red.
http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shi...clearance.html (Scroll down! There are more fees...)

USPS and Fedex are good as they include brokerage fees, as do most other shipping companies.

Jeff Toogood · January 18th, 2005, 10:31 PM

It looks like it is all taken care of. I shipped UPS Express to avoid the brokerage fees. All I owe UPS is for the duty ($645 Canadian) to be expected.

Should have it tomorrow.

Can't wait :)

January 17th, 2005, 10:35 PM	#1
Jeff Toogood Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: St.Thomas, Ontario, CANADA Posts: 428	Canadians ordering from the states! I have ordered my Sony PD170 from B&H and expected delivery tomorrow, but I just checked the UPS website and this is the status: Status: Exception Jan 17, 2005 10:52 P.M. FREDERICTON, NB, CA POWER OF ATTORNEY DOCUMENTATION IS MISSING AND IS REQUIRED FOR CLEARANCE Anybody know what the heck this is about? Power of Attorney?? I have ordered stuff from the states before without any problems. Can anybody help me out? Thanks __________________ Toogood Studios

January 18th, 2005, 02:47 AM	#3
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	That's a WTF... No idea. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

January 18th, 2005, 05:51 AM	#4
Jeff Toogood Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: St.Thomas, Ontario, CANADA Posts: 428	Well it seemed to be OK, but I just checked again and now it says Status: Exception Jan 18, 2005 6:34 A.M. MOUNT HOPE, ON, CA RECEIVER REQUESTED CLEARANCE BY NON-UPS BROKER. Now what? __________________ Toogood Studios

January 18th, 2005, 11:26 AM	#6
Jeff Toogood Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: St.Thomas, Ontario, CANADA Posts: 428	Apparently it has something to do with me using my Business name on the invoice. They were looking for my GST # and my brokerage company!!! WTF. I think it is all straightened around. In the future I will never use my business name if it causes this many problems. __________________ Toogood Studios

January 18th, 2005, 10:31 PM	#9
Jeff Toogood Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: St.Thomas, Ontario, CANADA Posts: 428	It looks like it is all taken care of. I shipped UPS Express to avoid the brokerage fees. All I owe UPS is for the duty ($645 Canadian) to be expected. Should have it tomorrow. Can't wait :) __________________ Toogood Studios

January 17th, 2005, 11:01 PM	#2
Jack Smith Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: ontario Posts: 445	Never heard that one! I'd call them, sounds like somebody goofed smitty

January 18th, 2005, 11:07 AM	#5
David Stone Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 40	This has happened to me before. It has to do with the broker that the shipping company uses. I have ordered items from California and they have been shipped to the east coast and held for a week while awaiting customs clearance. When I get an item shipped from the U.S.A. I always ask what the shipping and customs charges are. Usually they tell me the shipper but the broker seems to be a matter of luck. It makes a big difference because it seems that the brokers have a big difference in their fees. I have been trying to encourage the U.S. sponsors to make inquiries about the brokers they use for shipping and the fees charged so that we know in advance. It is very frustrating and that is why, if possible, I order from a Canadian supplier. I like the people at B&H, Zotz, etc. but the shippers and customs can be quite a hassle.

January 18th, 2005, 11:41 AM	#7
David Stone Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 40	Let me know if there are any additional charges from the broker.

January 18th, 2005, 10:12 PM	#8
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	For Canadian buyers, you should try hard to avoid UPS Ground. On top of tax (GST, PST, and/or HST) and handling fees ($5 or more), they charge brokerage fees on top of that. They're fairly high, so much so it may have been cheaper to ship UPS expedited/blue/red. http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shi...clearance.html (Scroll down! There are more fees...) USPS and Fedex are good as they include brokerage fees, as do most other shipping companies.