Ya know I just recently ordered a few things from the big wimmin site and was able to track it via USPS all the way here…Funny that a package came from Lexington Ky and had to pass though Elm Grove, Oh then to Huntington, WV then finally to the local PO…(EDIT) just looked…and that tracking was through the Amazon website, so apparently there IS scanning going on but you have to be a mega billions shipper to get access to the data…
Dave.
Whilst the freight rates of the after market carriers such as DSL might be less expensive than USPS the extra customs handling & clearing charges usually take the total cost of all parcels way past USPS.
These charges only apply to USPS shipments if the value of the package exceeds a set amount.
I have had the charges applied several times. Goods and services tax of 10% is applicable to all goods (and services) entering Australia, with the value applied at the current exchange rate (not at the time of purchase). For simplicity, the GST is not applied to goods and services (postage, insurance, tracking costs, etc) less than $500.00 Aud. GST of 10% applied to goods exceeding $500 but less than $1000 Aud. For items over $1000 Aud, the purchaser is deemed to be an importer and a customs import charge plus the 10% GST is applicable. Generally a broker is required as the paperwork is quite complex.
However, all this aside, the custom’s application of these charges may be either liberal or strict, depending on how good or bad a day the custom’s officer has had. Under our law, if someone imports an item over $1000 value then he is legally obliged to self report the importation and pay the charges, should the item slip through customs without a charge being applied. This is called ‘self-reporting.’
Of late, the freight companies have come to their senses and generally do not impose the customs fees, if the item is less than $250 USD in value. Prior to this, the companies would slug for fees often in excess of the value of the item. The shipping is regarded as a service and so the fees charged were extremely out of proportion. It was not only the extremely high freight cost but the application of import fees that made many opt to not pay for shipping using other than USPS.
I was once hit for a $1000 shipping fee by UPS. The seller, without my agreeance, shipped the items by UPS, as he was a contracted UPS agent. At the time I had not paid a cent. I told him I would refuse the payment. He apologised and said if I covered the shipping cost he would be happy. I paid for the freight but did not pay a cent for the goods. He gave me positive feedback on eBay.
My latest package, left Florida a few days ago. Cleared Aussie Customs two days ago. Expect it tomorrow morning. No complaints, as kept fully informed of its passage.
TonyWalsham said:I don't think so, Tony. The first order was for an Aristo RDC. I followed it up with at least two other orders. Since I was ordering a fair bit of gear from other retailers, almost all of it via USPS, I was able to make some comparisons.
Dave. Whilst the freight rates of the after market carriers such as DSL might be less expensive than USPS the extra customs handling & clearing charges usually take the total cost of all parcels way past USPS. These charges only apply to USPS shipments if the value of the package exceeds a set amount.
It’s the only case I’ve come across where DHL, or any other commercial operator, came close to, let alone beat, USPS on total cost, delivered, for items of a similar weight and size.
Were those multiple shipments via DHL?
If there was only one DHL shipments, did DHL make a handling charge on that shipment or not?
I like the USPS tracking, making sure ebay sales get to the person. I always mention on my ebay posting that I buy it on every shipment. Had a couple of people claim they had not received the package and got a refund through PayPal. No problems since I started using the tracking. I just care if it gets there, not where it’s at.
Useful for the shipper as delivery confirmation, and an option for cheaper postage for lighter packages. (Usually < 1 pound.)
Useless for the receiver. Doesn’t tell you that it’s been mailed/shipped, just that postage/tracking has been bought. It doesn’t tell you where it is, until it is in your mailbox.
Again,
Pay for a computer, software, Internet service. Turn on computer, wait for boot up. Go to e-mail handler. Read and note umpteen digit “tracking” number. Type in address for USPS website. Go to tracking section. Type in umpteen digit “tracking” number. Read useless dribble. (I know, I know, shortened by using copy-paste function.)
Or,
Walk out to your mailbox or front door and look.
Same effect.
Tony,
it was St. Aubins possibly, last year that had a DHL ‘special rate’ that was actually cheaper than USPS. I do not know if the rate was applied to other dealers.
I think this thread cursed me. I have two packages coming from Newegg that left the warehouse via DHL. I just looked at the tracking info and they were both passed off to the USPS! AAARRRGGGGGHHHHH!
Jon.
Tim I am not questioning the “rate” being competitive.
Rather the application or otherwise of the handling and clearing charges the non USPS - PO carriers have applied to all shipments.
Tony,
a couple of years ago, the freight companies did stop applying the custom’s charges on goods less than $250 USD. Prior to that, all goods and services were charged the full customs charges irrespective of value of the item. There is no import tax on model railroad imports but there are import charges. They do however charge GST on items less than $500 Aud which is a pain. I used to deal with several companies that only used UPS and FedEx and paid my share of charges before I learned to only deal with sellers using USPS.
OK, Thanks Tim.
The only stuff I ever import now weighs ZIP and comes USPS International Express.
According to USPS tracking: Your item cleared customs in CANADA at 4:07 PM on February 22, 2009
And my package arrived this morning, in perfect condition by USPS, exactly as tracked. Some more ‘real’ LGB for the collection.
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:That is where my AccuCraft Royal Hudson is for the last three weeks, I'm [un]reliably informed by the tracking service.
USPS tracking tells me my parcel is in "Foreign Customs". ;) :)
I’d sure like to think I’d see it afore I die.
I hereby propsose the amalgamation of the two ‘great’ shipping organisations - FEDEX and UPS - into one conglomerate.
We can call it FED-UPS.
tac
www.ovgrs.org
Now now Terry.
You will have us all thinking you have a sense of humour. 
Good one!!!
So I ordered somehting (train related even) recently and recieved a tracking number thru USPS. HAving been disattisfied with their tracking in the apst iw as surprised to see it tracked across teh country and was at my local office yesterday monring. I went home after work to find a card in my mail box telling me I can go pick it up in a few days. (sigh)
Chas