Servojohn wrote:
later learned shipping by postal service between US and
Canada may result in more reasonable/predictable import
fees as they are more of a set rate.

More than likely they have internal customs brokers to help clear the
goods.

At the border, USPS just hands the package over to the respective
country's postal service. For this reason, USPS packages rarely get
inspected by Canadian customs or charged duty fees. If the buyer is
charged duty, it will be the actual cost of the tax, not a massively
inflated brokerage fee.


This is where the real delay will occur when shipping
internationally-it really pays for the buyer to have a customs broker
"hired" to get the package cleared and on it's way in the buyer's
country.

Customs brokers are a scam like credit card 'currency exchange' fees
that are typically several times greater than the actual exchange rate.
The brokers take advantage of sellers who are usually unable to
determine the amount the buyer is truly required to pay, even if the
seller sees the brokerage fee at all.

The default FedEx and UPS brokers are sure to leave your buyer with an
unpleasant, usurious surprise. You can act as your own customs broker,
but it is quite complicated and simply not worth the effort since USPS
is usually cheaper anyway.

-Mike