| Shipping to Canada by any method other than USPS is going to be very expensive for the recipient. Courier companies like Fedex and UPS will charge both a brokerage fee as well as the 5% Canadian GST (tax) on the declared value - the $202 you were quoted doesn't surprise me at all. Those fees and taxes will need to be paid by either the sender in advance (who has to pass on the cost to the buyer), or by the recipient when they receive the package. Shipping by USPS is different - the recipient will only pay a $10 fee to Canada Post plus the GST on the declared value of the item. If you undervalue the item the recipient may get lucky and end up paying no GST or less GST. However, Canada border services has been known to revalue the item or ask for a receipt from the recipient to prove value - and sending a big heavy box with a minimal declared value is more likely to create suspicion. Sending the item labelled as a "gift" will only save the recipient money if the declared value is under $60. If above $60, the $10 fee plus GST on the declared value above $60 is still payable. Asking someone in a border town to receive the item, drive it across the border, and reship it in Canada is not a good idea. The guy driving it across the border will have to declare its value and pay GST - attempting to get it across the border without doing so can get the guy into trouble.
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