Sht!

So get this:

I buy some boat parts from a guy in Ontario. I pay him, he sends the parts FedEX...all's well, everything's great, we're both happy.

But today I get a call from John, a "Customs Broker," who is under contract by FedEX....seems reasonable, I have no problem so far, I understand customs, and international shipping and commerce...

But the guy tells me that there's no duty to pay on the items because they were originally made in the U.S., blah, blah, blah, and that I have my customs clearance. Yay!...

But I owe him $22.00 for examining the case. WTF?! What a racket.

Yea they're getting me pretty good w/ products coming from China.

Just keep in mind if their title is followed by "broker" then.... you get the point

Yep. 10-4 on that.

So, do you "have" to pay him ? Do you have the parts or is he holding them until you pay him the $22 ?

What phucking operation !

Yes, precisely. Either I pay him, or he doesn't release the shipment.
Despite the fact that I don't owe customs one single cent of duty.

I have ordered medication for my dog thru Canada. Every 90 days I get a shipment in my mailbox and never had a broker involved.

I used to import tech art porsche parts from germany. I was lucky enough to be dating a girl that worked for sas air as a customs broker. It is a racket for sure !!!! Most of the time my air shipments were cleared as they hit the ground in new york. Just paying someone to push the paper. Nice work if you can get it!

Nick,
sounds like he's got you by the b____!! I'm glad I didn't order the Seadoo Bimini top from some guy in Canada! Good luck.
Dean

Seems like you could contact FedEx or somebody about this. What a total crock of schit !!!!