I order a CD43 from 12volt electronics in the US. The item cost me $342 shipped. When it got to my door UPS wanted another $90 for brokeage fee and GST. I also ordered from Understeer and BimmerWorld.com the same day for items similar in price and recieved the other stuff the same day and didn't have to pay anything upon arrival? Can anyone explain this for me? Also should 12volt Electronics not have forewarned me about this cost?

brokerage fees are already included in the shipping price when shipping by air. Also, if you get anything shipped through UPS, get your lube ready. Its not really 12volt Electronic's fault. They may not even know about it.

Thanks. I've conversed shortly with 12volt and the gentleman seems to be helpful thus far. He seems to believe that I was over charged somehow. I know now not to ship anything from the states with UPS unless I really want it.

DONT use UPS for shipping!!! They have the highest brokrage fees out of everyone

Always try to use USPS. They have got me one to many times and I refuse to use them any more. I just ordered some stuff from pelicanparts.com and while placing my order a warning poped up telling me to ship with USPS, something I really appriciated

I'm about to get raped on a 3.15 LSD because it was too heavy for USPS or FedEx.

how was the diff to much weight? im getting a tranny shipped from pheonix with fed ex ground and they will accept it?

78lbs, it says? All I know is wherever this guy is, FedEx wouldn't ship it.

a diff is 78lbs?! Just by looking at pictures, I would've guessed it'd be easily less than 40lbs. Did you get it from diffsonline?

As mentioned above, ask for USPS whenever possible. Not many US sellers know about our "brokerage" problem, it's not their fault. However, many will insist on using a courier over USPS. If they do, as mentioned, look at the air cost as it may be worth it since brokerage is included. Otherwise, if you live close enough to a US border town, if they have a UPS store or Mailboxes Etc you may be able to get it sent there for a small fee and do the import yourself - cross the border, pick up the item (ensure you have an invoice) and when you cross back just declare it and pay the GST and you're in (some Provinces will/may have co-opted the CBSA to collect Provincial tax though). Of course, you don't have to declare the full tank of gas you have when you cross back. This is especially good for large items.

If you get it sent USPS Canada Post does the brokerage. The customs folks at C-P don't check every package, so you may not get charged anything. The broker fee is $8-$10 and only paid if they assess tax or duty on the item.

a diff is 78lbs?! Just by looking at pictures, I would've guessed it'd be easily less than 40lbs. Did you get it from diffsonline?

Nope, bought it off another forum member. It's an entire assembly. UPS tracking site says 78 lbs. I doubt they'd make that up...