Importing: POA (Power of Attorney) Documentation?

[MultipleParadox]

Anyone familiar with what is a POA exactly?
Online reading didn't really clarify anything

Ordered a TRMR BFG (that doesn't look like an actual grenade) and is sole purpose is to fire blanks. According to D19-13-2 it should be legal to import (it falls into the uncontrolled firearm category)

Originally Posted by Section 5. b.

(b) Flare, blank, rivet and industrial guns – Any device that is designed exclusively for signalling, for notifying of distress, or for firing blank cartridges or for firing stud cartridges, explosive-driven rivets or other industrial projectiles, provided that the importer intends to use it only for the purpose for which it is designed.

It was shipped by UPS Internation Express Saver (yikes.... the fees :/)

The tracking stated this after going through customs (followed by "import scan" so I assumed it cleared):

Power of attorney documentation is missing and is required for clearance. We're working to obtain this information.

But I was wondering, anyone knows what this really means and are familiar with the extra amount I might have to pay for this?

Just wondering

Thanks

[lurkingknight]

ups saver includes the brokerage fees. You may have to pay hst and duty (13+5% depending on country of manufacture free for north america) though.

[fretwire]

In the absence of a more concrete answer I think (think!) this is a UPS-specific document that allows them to act on your behalf for the import process.

I remember dealing with this a long time ago and i'm pretty sure it also allows them to charge you their ridiculous fees.

If the tracking information shows the item is in a location that's not too far from you, you might still have time to short-circuit UPS and self-clear it. If you inform UPS of your intent then visit the CBSA office in the evening/night the clearance process takes minutes and the CBSA guys are awesome to deal with.

Check the CBSA web site (no link, sorry) for the classification of the item and that'll tell you the duty and tax liabilities, then just be ready to pay that when you arrive. You could also let the CBSA guy/gal do that onsite but they tend to appreciate it if you've done a little homework in advance.

Pretty sure you'll also need the "Commercial Invoice" from UPS so CBSA can stamp it. Then provide the stamped copy to UPS and you can either pick it up from them or arrange for local delivery (which you already paid them for).

This goes back a while so the process might not be exactly the same but it's likely to be similar.

Do that once and you'll remember to never, ever use UPS for cross-border shipments

[MultipleParadox]

Thanks for the clarification

Didn't know Express Saver included Brokerage fees, that's a good news
(I knew one of their option did but wasn't thinking this one did)

And yes I usually avoid UPS like the plague; It didn't occur to me they would ship using UPS at all (no mention of it during checkout process and I didn't think of double checking).

I'm unfortunately crazy short on time these days so I won't be able to self-clear the item, or I would for sure. For next time if it happens again though.

Thanks again!

[Danke]

You're just giving UPS the go ahead to act as your broker.

It's a result of the lawsuit a few years ago when they got sued for default acting as the broker and charging massively inflated fees without stopping to blink.

[Smokes]

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[BioRage]

UPS imo is horrible for charging you taxes and brokerage fee, lol my reduced invoice of $57 USD was charged with $20 brokerage and tax.

That said, they ship super fast. (RWA, shipped w/ UPS friday, and came monday to customs, released later on Weds)

But always guaranteed to pay something >_>.

[Smokes]

Originally Posted by BioRage

That said, they ship super fast. (RWA, shipped w/ UPS friday, and came monday to customs, released later on Weds)

Yeah, my stuff from RWA was supposed to be in on Wednesday, earlier this week. But then this **** happens. As much as I hated paying DHL (When RWA only offered their service -- for this region or others --), they weren't a hindrance like UPS is. Oh well, guess I'll be avoiding Redwolf 'till they strike a new deal with a difference courier service. XD