Dear B&H a question about shipping costs

Daniel_r · 11-25-2010, 08:57 AM

Originally posted by bobmaxja

Not true if they use Expedited or Express . See document below

UPS: Rates for Customs Clearance into Canada

Thank you for that link, amazing they have charged me so much for so little in the past.

**Marc Langille** · 11-25-2010, 10:19 AM

Originally posted by bobmaxja

Not true if they use Expedited or Express . See document below

UPS: Rates for Customs Clearance into Canada

Bob, this brought up a good point: as an FYI, it isn't necessarily a one-way street in terms of shipping charges. The reverse was similar for me when I bought the last FA* 200/4 Macro lens from Pentax Canada Inc. (PCI) via one of two stores they suggested I buy it through in the Toronto area.

I am not allowed to buy direct from PCI, so I had to pick a camera store and ask them to contact PCI to arrange for everything to happen. I was assured by the sales rep at the store that handled the sale that expedited shipping was the best option to ensure no additional fees, etc. I paid the $90 for 2 day shipping - included insurance, which was a good portion of the cost - and no additional charges or taxes of any kind. Granted, it was a more expensive item and 2-day International Shipping between the US and Canada is not cheap.

FWIW, sending documents (eg. passport renewals, etc.) from the US to Canada via courier (FedEx or UPS) is restricted to expedited shipping only - no Ground shipping is allowed when it's International. This costs ~$20-$22 for just several sheets of paper!

Just offering another perspective on the matter.

Regards,
Marc

farfisa · 12-16-2010, 09:54 AM

Maybe not the right place to put this, but I recently used the Purolator Ground option from B&H and I have to say I'm grateful to have a lower cost option for importing from the US.

It was a small ($99.99 after $30 rebate) item, but half the price of buying up here. Normally, shipping would've driven up the cost of small item so that it wouldn't have been worthwhile, but here's how the costs broke down here:

Shipping: $8.22 (vs. $27.71 for the cheapest UPS)

Duties: $5 (even using USPS, if there's anything that requires any calculation of taxes, there's also a $5 flat fee)

Taxes (HST) $13

Brokerage $1.50

Disbursement $0.54

Security and Handling: $0.50

Total $128.75

Got to Toronto in less than 48 hours. I'm very happy to have this option--now I don't have to throw extra stuff in my cart to make the shipping costs worthwhile!

**loveisageless** · 12-22-2010, 11:44 PM - **1 Like**

Just an FYI. I've shipped lenses to Great Britain, Austraila, Singapore, Greece and South Africa via the United States Postal Service's Priority Mail international. With the exception of a Pentax soft lens case and some filters, none of the items would have fit in their "small flat rate box." The minimum charge for their Medium Flat Rate Box, not including insurance, is $43.50 and I give international buyers a credit of $20 towards the expense. Even completing the Customs forms on-line takes at least an hour and the package must be presented at the Post Office for shipping. It is against the law in the US to declare merchandise a "gift" or for a lower value than the actual value of the item. That being said, $50 shipping to Japan does not sound unreasonable.

Wheatfield · 12-25-2010, 01:23 PM

Originally posted by bobmaxja

Not true if they use Expedited or Express . See document below

UPS: Rates for Customs Clearance into Canada

What's the premium for that service though?
My experience with UPS is that you can pay 20 bucks for shipping and 60 for brokerage, or pay 80 bucks for shipping, they eat the brokerage.

russ1970 · 01-08-2011, 07:29 PM

Hi

I agree try looking at the shipping charges to New Zealand. If I buy off ebay it cost about 1/2 to a 1/3 of the cost quote on their website

rigor · 01-10-2011, 01:43 AM

Can I ask why adding small items such as a macro rail or a flash bracket bumps up the shipping costs $7+ at a time? These items are listed as "in stock" and not coming from a third party. I keep a wish list with lots of small items to make the freight costs bearable, but when 2 small items bump those costs from $62 to $79 I hesitate to place an order.

Helen Oster · 01-10-2011, 02:02 AM

Originally posted by rigor

Can I ask why adding small items such as a macro rail or a flash bracket bumps up the shipping costs $7+ at a time? These items are listed as "in stock" and not coming from a third party. I keep a wish list with lots of small items to make the freight costs bearable, but when 2 small items bump those costs from $62 to $79 I hesitate to place an order.

Shipping costs are calculated in relation to both weight and overall dimensions.

rigor · 01-10-2011, 02:09 AM

Any idea how much this flash bracket weighs? How big? I appreciate what your saying but that doesn't add up.
Impact Umbrella Bracket with Adjustable Shoe 9101880 B&H Photo

Helen Oster · 01-10-2011, 02:12 AM

Originally posted by rigor

Any idea how much this flash bracket weighs? How big? I appreciate what your saying but that doesn't add up.
Impact Umbrella Bracket with Adjustable Shoe 9101880 B&H Photo

Apologies; just realized this is the ask B&H forum -you'd really need to check with Chuck; I was relaying how we calculate shipping costs.

Chuck-B&H · 01-10-2011, 06:53 AM

Hello,

Shipping weight is 1 lb.

Chuck

henryp · 01-10-2011, 09:36 AM

Chuck and I have both responded to this earlier but I want to reiterate two things:
1) Our current shipping choices seem to be inexpensive or reliable. We opt for reliable. That means speedy service, accurate and up-to-the-minute online package tracking and responsiveness from the shipper should a parcel be mislaid or arrive damaged.
2) We do have an active Internat'l Business Initiatives team who is aware of this thread and of the issues underlying it. As they did to expand our options for Canada, they're working on reliable but less expensive options for other countries and Australia is among their priorities.

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11-25-2010, 08:57 AM	#31
Daniel_r Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 108	Originally posted by bobmaxja Not true if they use Expedited or Express . See document below UPS: Rates for Customs Clearance into Canada Thank you for that link, amazing they have charged me so much for so little in the past.

11-25-2010, 10:19 AM	#32
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710	Originally posted by bobmaxja Not true if they use Expedited or Express . See document below UPS: Rates for Customs Clearance into Canada Bob, this brought up a good point: as an FYI, it isn't necessarily a one-way street in terms of shipping charges. The reverse was similar for me when I bought the last FA* 200/4 Macro lens from Pentax Canada Inc. (PCI) via one of two stores they suggested I buy it through in the Toronto area. I am not allowed to buy direct from PCI, so I had to pick a camera store and ask them to contact PCI to arrange for everything to happen. I was assured by the sales rep at the store that handled the sale that expedited shipping was the best option to ensure no additional fees, etc. I paid the $90 for 2 day shipping - included insurance, which was a good portion of the cost - and no additional charges or taxes of any kind. Granted, it was a more expensive item and 2-day International Shipping between the US and Canada is not cheap. FWIW, sending documents (eg. passport renewals, etc.) from the US to Canada via courier (FedEx or UPS) is restricted to expedited shipping only - no Ground shipping is allowed when it's International. This costs ~$20-$22 for just several sheets of paper! Just offering another perspective on the matter. Regards, Marc

12-16-2010, 09:54 AM	#33
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	Maybe not the right place to put this, but I recently used the Purolator Ground option from B&H and I have to say I'm grateful to have a lower cost option for importing from the US. It was a small ($99.99 after $30 rebate) item, but half the price of buying up here. Normally, shipping would've driven up the cost of small item so that it wouldn't have been worthwhile, but here's how the costs broke down here: Shipping: $8.22 (vs. $27.71 for the cheapest UPS) Duties: $5 (even using USPS, if there's anything that requires any calculation of taxes, there's also a $5 flat fee) Taxes (HST) $13 Brokerage $1.50 Disbursement $0.54 Security and Handling: $0.50 Total $128.75 Got to Toronto in less than 48 hours. I'm very happy to have this option--now I don't have to throw extra stuff in my cart to make the shipping costs worthwhile!

12-22-2010, 11:44 PM - 1 Like	#34
loveisageless Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Oakland, California Photos: Albums Posts: 1,250	Just an FYI. I've shipped lenses to Great Britain, Austraila, Singapore, Greece and South Africa via the United States Postal Service's Priority Mail international. With the exception of a Pentax soft lens case and some filters, none of the items would have fit in their "small flat rate box." The minimum charge for their Medium Flat Rate Box, not including insurance, is $43.50 and I give international buyers a credit of $20 towards the expense. Even completing the Customs forms on-line takes at least an hour and the package must be presented at the Post Office for shipping. It is against the law in the US to declare merchandise a "gift" or for a lower value than the actual value of the item. That being said, $50 shipping to Japan does not sound unreasonable.

12-25-2010, 01:23 PM	#35
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Originally posted by bobmaxja Not true if they use Expedited or Express . See document below UPS: Rates for Customs Clearance into Canada What's the premium for that service though? My experience with UPS is that you can pay 20 bucks for shipping and 60 for brokerage, or pay 80 bucks for shipping, they eat the brokerage.

01-08-2011, 07:29 PM	#36
russ1970 Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Christchurch New Zealand Posts: 4	Hi I agree try looking at the shipping charges to New Zealand. If I buy off ebay it cost about 1/2 to a 1/3 of the cost quote on their website

01-10-2011, 01:43 AM	#37
rigor New Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 12	Can I ask why adding small items such as a macro rail or a flash bracket bumps up the shipping costs $7+ at a time? These items are listed as "in stock" and not coming from a third party. I keep a wish list with lots of small items to make the freight costs bearable, but when 2 small items bump those costs from $62 to $79 I hesitate to place an order.

01-10-2011, 02:02 AM	#38
Helen Oster Adorama Camera Representative Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New York Posts: 550	Originally posted by rigor Can I ask why adding small items such as a macro rail or a flash bracket bumps up the shipping costs $7+ at a time? These items are listed as "in stock" and not coming from a third party. I keep a wish list with lots of small items to make the freight costs bearable, but when 2 small items bump those costs from $62 to $79 I hesitate to place an order. Shipping costs are calculated in relation to both weight and overall dimensions.

01-10-2011, 02:09 AM	#39
rigor New Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 12	Any idea how much this flash bracket weighs? How big? I appreciate what your saying but that doesn't add up. Impact Umbrella Bracket with Adjustable Shoe 9101880 B&H Photo

01-10-2011, 02:12 AM	#40
Helen Oster Adorama Camera Representative Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New York Posts: 550	Originally posted by rigor Any idea how much this flash bracket weighs? How big? I appreciate what your saying but that doesn't add up. Impact Umbrella Bracket with Adjustable Shoe 9101880 B&H Photo Apologies; just realized this is the ask B&H forum -you'd really need to check with Chuck; I was relaying how we calculate shipping costs.

01-10-2011, 06:53 AM	#41
Chuck-B&H B&H Photo Specialist Join Date: May 2010 Location: New York Posts: 935	Hello, Shipping weight is 1 lb. Chuck

01-10-2011, 09:36 AM	#42
henryp B&H Photo Representative Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York, NY Posts: 491	Chuck and I have both responded to this earlier but I want to reiterate two things: 1) Our current shipping choices seem to be inexpensive or reliable. We opt for reliable. That means speedy service, accurate and up-to-the-minute online package tracking and responsiveness from the shipper should a parcel be mislaid or arrive damaged. 2) We do have an active Internat'l Business Initiatives team who is aware of this thread and of the issues underlying it. As they did to expand our options for Canada, they're working on reliable but less expensive options for other countries and Australia is among their priorities.