Fed'Ex Brokerage Fees

SLGSports · 12-06-2025, 09:45 PM

Does anyone know a good way to avoid Fed'Ex brokerage fees? Many of the big hockey card consigners in Canada use Fed'Ex and when I receive my card here in the US, a $45 USD bill ($62 CAD) always arrives about a week later in the mail. To be clear, I'm not talking about duties/tariffs... these don't apply because most cards are manufactured in the US. Fed'Ex is simply charging for their brokerage efforts.

It's especially frustrating because I already paid for shipping. In a recent example, I bought a card from Slabsharks and was charged $51 USD ($71 CAD) for shipping.

So any thoughts on how to avoid this as a US-based buyer of hockey cards in Canada? UPS is much more reasonable (only charges $10 for brokerage), but consignment companies seem to like shipping with Fed'Ex.

anusinha · 12-06-2025, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLGSports

Does anyone know a good way to avoid Fed'Ex brokerage fees? Many of the big hockey card consigners in Canada use Fed'Ex and when I receive my card here in the US, a $45 USD bill ($62 CAD) always arrives about a week later in the mail. To be clear, I'm not talking about duties/tariffs... these don't apply because most cards are manufactured in the US. Fed'Ex is simply charging for their brokerage efforts.

It's especially frustrating because I already paid for shipping. In a recent example, I bought a card from Slabsharks and was charged $51 USD ($71 CAD) for shipping.

So any thoughts on how to avoid this as a US-based buyer of hockey cards in Canada? UPS is much more reasonable (only charges $10 for brokerage), but consignment companies seem to like shipping with Fed'Ex.

I think it goes through Fedex if it has to go through authenticity guarantee. Otherwise Slabsharks and Savage use a third party US based shipper for US shipping so there shouldnt be any additional fees.

NYBBFAN · 12-07-2025, 07:38 AM

What about using a mailbox service, like COMC?

https://blog.comc.com/mailbox-service/

There’s a Canadian address to send stuff to.

ThatGuyPal · 12-07-2025, 11:09 AM

It is duty, the brokerage fee is them making sure it clears customs.

Read these for more commentary:

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1618079
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1618084

You can fight but it’ll take months and I wouldn’t count on winning. I personally doubt there is a well known loophole unless you stop buying for now.

Sucks, is what it is though no one pays attention to these things until it affects them, it’s like everyone just stood around saying meh tariffs won’t affect me lol

ZappBrannigan · 12-07-2025, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anusinha

I think it goes through Fedex if it has to go through authenticity guarantee. Otherwise Slabsharks and Savage use a third party US based shipper for US shipping so there shouldnt be any additional fees.

Some guy that just crawled in from the Congo got hired at PSA and is giving this expert Guarantee of Authenticity. lol. Gnat Turnover.

anusinha · 12-07-2025, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZappBrannigan

Some guy that just crawled in from the Congo got hired at PSA and is giving this expert Guarantee of Authenticity. lol. Gnat Turnover.

In n out burger pays 25 bucks an hour in California, you have to use your imagination at the type of person that would take 17/hr to look at cards all day.

natbornkiller · 12-07-2025, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLGSports

Does anyone know a good way to avoid Fed'Ex brokerage fees? Many of the big hockey card consigners in Canada use Fed'Ex and when I receive my card here in the US, a $45 USD bill ($62 CAD) always arrives about a week later in the mail. To be clear, I'm not talking about duties/tariffs... these don't apply because most cards are manufactured in the US. Fed'Ex is simply charging for their brokerage efforts.

It's especially frustrating because I already paid for shipping. In a recent example, I bought a card from Slabsharks and was charged $51 USD ($71 CAD) for shipping.

So any thoughts on how to avoid this as a US-based buyer of hockey cards in Canada? UPS is much more reasonable (only charges $10 for brokerage), but consignment companies seem to like shipping with Fed'Ex.

move to us

stoopid · 12-09-2025, 11:10 AM

I got a $4 bill from UPS for $50 in compact discs (music) I ordered from a Canadian record label. Zero tariffs since audio and printed material are exempt. This is a cash grab by Fedex and UPS. It should be illegal, but here we are. Criminals in power won't pursue criminals caught in the act. Heck, most criminals just get pardoned and thanked for their service to humanity now.

Seahawks fan · 12-15-2025, 05:08 PM

I just got a Brokerage/Tarriff fee from UPS today. Bought a card for $39.99, $10 shipping from Canada, $3.62 US taxes, and now another $13 Tariff Fee mailed to me tacked on. So stupid and such a deterrent to potential buyers.

SLGSports · 12-15-2025, 07:09 PM

On a related note, I'm noticing a lot of sellers don't know that "Country of Origin" is where the item was manufactured -- not where you're shipping from. So if a card is manufactured in the US, the Country of Origin should be US, and then won't trigger tariffs/duties.

So be sure to let sellers know that may not be aware of this... and may be losing sales from it as well.

slightlyrounded · 12-15-2025, 11:29 PM

Hell, even Canada Post employees don't understand country of origin right now....I had one lady insisting that this was the sender's country, not the item's place of manufacture. Her manager had to come out and correct her but I can only imagine how many people she advised on other customs forms. The Zonos app and Canada Post's app don't exactly make it clear either.

12-06-2025, 09:45 PM	#1
SLGSports Member Join Date: Mar 2023 Posts: 153	Fed'Ex Brokerage Fees Does anyone know a good way to avoid Fed'Ex brokerage fees? Many of the big hockey card consigners in Canada use Fed'Ex and when I receive my card here in the US, a $45 USD bill ($62 CAD) always arrives about a week later in the mail. To be clear, I'm not talking about duties/tariffs... these don't apply because most cards are manufactured in the US. Fed'Ex is simply charging for their brokerage efforts. It's especially frustrating because I already paid for shipping. In a recent example, I bought a card from Slabsharks and was charged $51 USD ($71 CAD) for shipping. So any thoughts on how to avoid this as a US-based buyer of hockey cards in Canada? UPS is much more reasonable (only charges $10 for brokerage), but consignment companies seem to like shipping with Fed'Ex.

12-07-2025, 07:38 AM	#3
NYBBFAN Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 5,122	What about using a mailbox service, like COMC? https://blog.comc.com/mailbox-service/ There’s a Canadian address to send stuff to. __________________ https://gallery.us175.com/ https://inv.us175.com/wantlist

12-09-2025, 11:10 AM	#8
stoopid Member Join Date: Feb 2024 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 434	I got a $4 bill from UPS for $50 in compact discs (music) I ordered from a Canadian record label. Zero tariffs since audio and printed material are exempt. This is a cash grab by Fedex and UPS. It should be illegal, but here we are. Criminals in power won't pursue criminals caught in the act. Heck, most criminals just get pardoned and thanked for their service to humanity now. __________________ Long time collector. Hockey, some baseball, even less football.

12-15-2025, 05:08 PM	#9
Seahawks fan Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: USA Posts: 7,892	I just got a Brokerage/Tarriff fee from UPS today. Bought a card for $39.99, $10 shipping from Canada, $3.62 US taxes, and now another $13 Tariff Fee mailed to me tacked on. So stupid and such a deterrent to potential buyers. __________________ Always looking for Kam Chancellor and Rare Marcus Trufant cards. I will buy or trade just message me.

12-07-2025, 11:09 AM	#4
ThatGuyPal Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Posts: 4,290	It is duty, the brokerage fee is them making sure it clears customs. Read these for more commentary: https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1618079 https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1618084 You can fight but it’ll take months and I wouldn’t count on winning. I personally doubt there is a well known loophole unless you stop buying for now. Sucks, is what it is though no one pays attention to these things until it affects them, it’s like everyone just stood around saying meh tariffs won’t affect me lol

12-15-2025, 07:09 PM	#10
SLGSports Member Join Date: Mar 2023 Posts: 153	On a related note, I'm noticing a lot of sellers don't know that "Country of Origin" is where the item was manufactured -- not where you're shipping from. So if a card is manufactured in the US, the Country of Origin should be US, and then won't trigger tariffs/duties. So be sure to let sellers know that may not be aware of this... and may be losing sales from it as well.

12-15-2025, 11:29 PM	#11
slightlyrounded Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Posts: 234	Hell, even Canada Post employees don't understand country of origin right now....I had one lady insisting that this was the sender's country, not the item's place of manufacture. Her manager had to come out and correct her but I can only imagine how many people she advised on other customs forms. The Zonos app and Canada Post's app don't exactly make it clear either.