This is what I know about shipping from us to ca
But 1st ALWAYS try to buy from canadian sellers!!
EVERYTHING new or used is subject to tax.
Customs can and will check ANY env. box or container for any reason.
Customs can damage your item when looking at it so don't go blaming the seller right off. I had 2 subs shipped face to face, held together by quick ties. Customs cut the ties to look between the subs and then just put the subs back in box W/O ties!!!......you can guess the rest.
If the item is valued at $15usd or less there will be no tax/broker fee, doesn't matter who you use as courier.
If an item is valued under $50usd and marked as gift there will be no customs...not sure about broker fee
Customs charges are whatever ur province charge. 15%in NS
If an item is valued at over $50 and is marked "repaired/replaced under warranty" there will be no customs/broker fees
USPS broker fee is a fixed $5 thats y I always use them (great service/price but a bit slow)
Other couriers are the devil when broker fees come into play. I had a 30lb box valued at $40 and ups charged me $35 for broker fee. I don't know how they figure out broker fee costs! ups will get you good!
When insuring an item this will cover the item if it is destroyed/stolen. But if you get the item and its broken inside the package it is NOT covered
shipping by fed x/ ups /purolator is always faster/more expensive than usps
shipping usps air is only a few $ more than ground see here
http://pe.usps.gov/text/Imm/immicl/immiclcd_003.html
ALWAYS be nice to the seller so that he/she would be happy to ship to canada for the next guy/gurl
DO NOT panic if the parcel hasn't arrived yet! Relax, it'll be there soon, customs prob had a peek inside and delayed it a bit.
if you find this info informative or if it helps you let me know, and give a up once in a while.
I think this will help alot of people, maybe sticky?