Custom fees on MMA gear

[Caillou]

I live in Canada, just got a coupon for 25% off at Jaco. I was interested in the resolution bundle so I gave it a try. The coupon is good for 25%, all orders even sale stuff, so I ordered a bunch of stuff (rashguard etc.)

So my whole order cost me 89$, not bad at all for 2 tshirts, rashguard, and short. the shipping fees were 28$ so 117$ is still a pretty good deal.

Got a txt msg form my girlfriend at work yesterday, 70$$$$$ fucking dollars she had to pay to the Fedex guy to get my order. For shipping/handling custom fees, which I thought i already paid (28$). At that price, I might as well buy my stuff at my local store, so I decided to returm my order. Here's the response I got from Jaco:

Hi ******,
Unfortunately, we have no control over duty fees, (please see our shipping policies page).

I would be happy to help you with your return, however, I do not know if returning the items will guarantee a refund of the duties you paid, I can certainly issue a refund for $117.76.

I understand that the duty fees are not up to them, but I ordered from mmawarehouse.com and muaythai-fighting.com before, and I never had to pay these BS fees.

Did anyone experience the same thing, if so, do you have any advice?

Sorry if it sounds like I am bashing them, this is not my intent. I am just looking for advice, and perhaps venting.

thanks

 

[BeltFanDan]

1. Even with coupon's, Jaco's website is over priced. The items you want are available on eBay at the same price or less.

2. The import fees are "random". Also depends on if the shipper marks the items as a "gift", and the "declared value". If they do everything by the book, IE: mark it as items purchased, with full value, etc. Your chances are higher of paying import duties.

3. It also depends on the shipper. Sometimes FedEx and UPS will deliver the item and pay the duty on your behalf and deliver it. Then a month later they will send you an huge bill for the duty + their fees for paying it for you. If this is the case, you should call and make a issue out of it.

 

[Tone C]

I am based in the U.K .I have had stuff in huge boxes get through without customs fees and then got caught for stuff of lesser value in small jiffy bags/envelopes get singled out.It seems somewhat of a crap shoot tbh,I am now getting stuff shipped to friends in the USA for $5 and then they break up the stuff and send it as gifts.Stops me getting caught for stupid fees shipping wise to the UK and also it looks like genuine presents and is under the customs/VAT triggers in the U.K.

And I did this with the JACO stuff I ordered too,got 5 tees and a cap for around the same as I might have paid for 1 or maybe 2 tees if they were on offer in the U.K.

 

[Caillou]

Thanks for the quick reponse guys.

I just went on ebay, and all they have is the same price or more expensive then on JACO.

Like you guys said, I think it Fedex that fucked me over, most times i have used the normal postal service and never had any problem. I is just "wierd" that I get 70$ for a 89$ order. 78% WTF?!!!!!

My question though, is How can i get my 70$ back?

 

[Championstuff]

Only time I've been charged customs fee is when the items were sent via dhl. Bill came months later, told them to eff off. Never heard from them again.

 

[ohboyitsme]

Fedex and UPS always do this when you ship anythign to Canada. If possible try and ship stuff USPS. It works out to be cheapest in the long run as they do not nail you with their bullshit hidden brokerage fees.

 

[Soma]

I live in Canada, just got a coupon for 25% off at Jaco. I was interested in the resolution bundle so I gave it a try. The coupon is good for 25%, all orders even sale stuff, so I ordered a bunch of stuff (rashguard etc.)

So my whole order cost me 89$, not bad at all for 2 tshirts, rashguard, and short. the shipping fees were 28$ so 117$ is still a pretty good deal.

Got a txt msg form my girlfriend at work yesterday, 70$$$$$ fucking dollars she had to pay to the Fedex guy to get my order. For shipping/handling custom fees, which I thought i already paid (28$). At that price, I might as well buy my stuff at my local store, so I decided to returm my order. Here's the response I got from Jaco:


I understand that the duty fees are not up to them, but I ordered from mmawarehouse.com and muaythai-fighting.com before, and I never had to pay these BS fees.

Did anyone experience the same thing, if so, do you have any advice?

Sorry if it sounds like I am bashing them, this is not my intent. I am just looking for advice, and perhaps venting.

thanks

Sucks to get hit with those customs fee's but it is something to be aware of. As mentioned, your previous purchases were probably marked as "gift" or at a lower value than what they really were. That will allow it to get through without being assessed more charges. However, if customs does a check and finds they were intentionally deceived by the shipper then no bueno.

That huge price increase might seem weird but the way items are charged in customs is extremely complex and some items can fall under similar categories yet those categories can have varying prices between them.

Look into your postal system and see if they can import items without fees being levied.

 

[BeltFanDan]

Canada Post will still charge the fees, but it's not as bad as FedEx and UPS.

 

[HEAVY GRAPPLER]

I have never been charged these fees using USPS, but have been charged EVERY time I use UPS.

 

[supdudexxx]

Got smashed with customs fees as well. First time importing and paid ~$80 (through FedEx). My package was ~$300 and weighed 14 lbs though so I probably wouldn't have been able to get around that.