They also appear to be in dispute with their customs broker (so I was told by my UPS guy in San Pablo). I almost didn't get my package last week. The day after mine left San Francisco, all the UPS packages were turned back at the border. I don't know about UPS, they've pissed off so many people, customers and the like.

Thanks for this important information. I was considering placing an order with Sweet Maria's but was put off by the shipping rates which would have doubled the cost of the coffee. Instead I had it shipped to a relative in the US who we visit regularly. Much cheaper. I think I'll stick with that. I have had problems with UPS in the past over brokerage charges when the same relative sent us Christmas presents. Won't do that again either.

On the other hand, LL Bean ships into Canada by UPS and the shipping is free. I do incur a small brokerage fee and GST of course, but the packages never get held for ransom. I imagine LL Bean has some leverage they can apply to get UPS to streamline the process.

voyageur505 wrote:Thanks for this important information. I was considering placing an order with Sweet Maria's but was put off by the shipping rates which would have doubled the cost of the coffee.

Remember that these abusive fees are charged only by UPS. Now that Canada Post lock out has been ended by the government, using USPS / Canada Post would still be a good idea (using the USPS Flat rate medium box (max 8 lbs) or the large box (max 12 lbs)).

Louis wrote:(using the USPS Flat rate medium box (max 8 lbs) or the large box (max 12 lbs)).

In fact both the medium and the large flat rate box have an allowance of up to 20 lb. Most coffee distributors from the GCBC, and many other fellow home roasters, will readily ship up to 15 lb, of greens in a medium flat rate box ($27.95 US). Sweet Maria's will only use the large flat rate box ($37.50 US) with an 18 lbs limit.

For large shipment of greens UPS is not too bad. They will only charge $18.23 CAN for brokerage regardless of weight (at least up to 66 lb. which was my largest cross border order to date) and the base cost is much cheaper than USPS for heavy package.

I use to hate UPS and in fact will never use them for anything other than green coffee because of the brokerage charge that are just out of control. But for green coffee it seems to be simple enough that they do not gouge me blind!

Sylvain, my mistake.

Sweet Maria's online store allows:
- USPS International Medium Flat Rate Box: max 12 lbs ($30.50 shipping)
- USPS International Large Flat Rate Box: max 18 lbs ($37.50 shipping)

And, as far as I know, no fees on arrival (if there is no customs to pay, which would be the case on greens).

This is correct. There never was any fees on arrival for any green coffee using USPS.
I am still trying to get a relationship going with a local importer. Sweet Maria's is still competitive even with the shipping fees with almost everything I can source locally and since the quality is almost flawless, it make sense to get greens from them.