For heavier packages UPS ground is usually cheaper on shipping
than USPS.

The difficult thing is brokerage. USPS packages get picked up by
Canada Post, sometimes they just slip through to my door, no charges.
Sometimes they spot it, and charge GST on declared customs value
+ a $5 handling fee. This I have to pay at the postal outlet.
(It also means that rather than getting the package at my door I have to
go and pick it up)

UPS charges a brokerage fee that depends on the value on the package.
First the good news: For any value under $20 there is no GST and also
no brokerage fee. Same goes for an "Unsolicited gift" under $60.
Bad news: for more usual values of $100 or so, brokerage adds a pretty
hefty amount. So freight can be $20-30 for my order, and then an additional $20 for brokerage on a $100-200 order.

The sad bottomline is that many orders that would have cost $100 shipped
in the US often costs me $140 to Canada with all fees. For auto parts
(pretty heavy) often USPS shipping is similar to UPS shipping and brokerage together. For most light weight but more valuable stuff USPS
is cheaper due to the flat fee $5 brokerage.

Martin (and '82 Westy 1.9TD in need of parts...)

--- On Thu, 10/1/09, Al Knoll <anasasi@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> From: Al Knoll <anasasi@GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: How do I send used parts to Canada?
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Received: Thursday, October 1, 2009, 3:27 PM
> Greg a listmember is lusting after
> some old dusty but not rusty parts and
> bits left over from a bumper exchange.
>
> What is the cheapest way to send these from Califunia to
> Canada.
>
> Pensionerd.
>

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