What is the best way to ship US to Canada??

I've had great success with FedEx. I suppose US Postal Service would work - it's hit and miss with me time wise. I don't recommend United Parcel Service unless you want to be kicked in the teeth with their handling charges - expect $50+ for small packages on cross border shipping in addition to what's paid on departure.

I have used FedEx and USPS to ship from Oregon to Ontario.
FedEx cost a fortune when I used it.
Postal service global priority mail was reasonable.
Delivery time was good with both. I can't remember how long it took, but neither seemed to take too long.

usps is fine...MOD EDIT: Removed suggestion to committ a federal crime by lying on customs documents.

I've had experiences with every carrier. None of them is safe. I wouldn't even bother buying insurance. It usually doesn't cover damage on used products, anyway. The couriers will clear an item through a Customs ahead of time using their own broker, so there is usually little delay at the border with them, whereas post will deal directly with Canada Customs and that can take a long time. I once had a preamp shipped by airmail from Seattle to Victoria that took over two weeks. UPS or FedEx ground will screw you badly with extra bullsh*t fees that often come to more than the 14% tax does, whereas post is a flat $5 (might be $8 now). With the express (air) courier services, delivery is pretty quick, there are usually no delays at the border, and you pay taxes but no extra fees. Of course, those cost a lot in the first place.

You bet they are. However, basically nothing manufactured in the US or Canada will be charged duties (because of NAFTA), and even if it is manufactured outside US/Canada, Customs would be unlikely to check this. But you'll get charged GST/PST based on the declared value regardless of whether you bought it new or used.

does USPS avoid the duties, etc?

They all have websites that in theory allow you to calculate the rates. I think every time I've done this, though, it's been different when I go to actually ship the thing. I've even brought in print-outs from the website. They just shrug. Like I said: not a fan of the various shipping people. But the websites will give you at least an idea.


No shipping service "avoids the duties, etc." These are charged by Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, which inspects or otherwise processes every item entering the country. It makes no difference who is bringing an item acorss the border: postal service, private courier, or just you in your car.

As I said, though, duty will very rarly be an issue for US/Canadian transactions because of NAFTA. I have never been charged duty on any electronics, cables, or speakers that I have imported from the US, even in the few cases where the product had not been manufactured in either country (e.g. a Cairn amp manufactured in France), although if I understand the system correctly, that may have been an oversight.

Taxes, on the other hand, will be owing, based on the declared value of the item (or the insured value, whichever is higher, I believe). For all Canadians, this will be 7% GST (or HST out east, although I'm not sure what that's about). In addition, provincial sales tax will be charged based on the PST rate in the province to which the item is being delivered. And again, this is charged by CCRA, so nothing (legally) avoids it.

tmh: Gifts valued under $60 should not have duty levied on them, but purchased products should. DHL once tried to make me pay duty and handling charges on a $40 gift. I wrote back refusing to pay and pointing out that no duty should have been paid on the item. Never heard back, so either they agreed with me or just gave up on it.

Please do not discuss or post suggestions to break the law by falsifying customs documents.

Thank you.

I'd recommend USPS Airmail. All packages sent this way got to me in about a week and in good shape, and most importantly, with no additional fees.