Here is a recap of some recent findings regarding shipping goods internationally from US locations.
United Parcel Service
UPS treats an international package as if it were a COD shipment and will not deliver the parcel unless the duty and brokerage fees are paid by the receiver. If these fees are not paid; the parcel is returned to shipper.
United States Postal Service
They treat the shipment in a similar manner as UPS.
Federal Express
Fedex is only responsible for delivering the parcel to the receiving party. If the applicable fees and duties are not paid by the receiever; Fedex charges the shipper. These terms are in the mouse type of the shipping documents.
I discovered the varying conditions after being billed for unpaid duty and brokerage fees by Fedex. Fortunately the receiving party was a very honest and forthright buyer and he reimbursed me for these fees. Hope this is useful information for those of you making international shipment decisions.
Sorry if this is off topic, but it may save you some aggravation. Again; in my situation; the buyer was very co-operative in seeking an equitable resolution...others may not be as fortunate.
Nick Zatezalo
Atlanta,Ga