I'm asking for advice and/or help from the Canadians on the list who may
have experience with shipping things to the U.S....

also... , if someone who lives in Toronto could help arrange cheaper
shipping....

The situation is that I want to buy a Paulchen rack from Owasco in Toronto.
(they have old stock Paulchens that mount the bike lower than the new ones
that Steve Lashley carries)
BUT, they use a courier named Purolator to ship the Paulchen to California.

The cost they quoted is C$120 for a box about 2 1/2 ft x 3 1/2 ft x 16
inches and about 30 lbs or so. From what I can tell that's about double the
cost of sending the item by mail... (Paulchens are expensive and I've
already reached the limit.. and them some...  of what I can spend on this
item :(

So question #1... is there anyone in the Toronto area that would be willing
to pick up the box at Owasco and take it to the post office for me? ... or,
maybe even better if there were someone traveling from Toronto to the U.S.
who could mail or U.P.S. the rack from somewhere in the U.S.???

Question #2... Owasco says they have to charge 15% tax on top of both the
cost of the rack and the shipping... (C$499 + C$120 = C$620 x 15% = C$93.00)
does this seem right? AND Owasco said I may be able to get the tax
refunded... anyone know how this would work?

Question #3... Owasco said they didn't know if import or export duties would
be charged on this package or not.... does anyone know? if so, any idea how
much?(would save me a LOT of trouble calling around the U.S. Customs
department)...

Thanks so much for your help...

Bill Davidson