It really depends on who you use for shipping. UPS has a pretty bad rep for gouging us on "brokerage fees" (otherwise known as money for nuthin)
I recently bought a clutch from Jegs and it was shipped fed-Ex. Brokerage is included in their international shipping prices and is a lot more reasonable than UPS. Same clutch here at a local jobber shop was $540 cdn. My cost to my door using Jegs was $330 cdn.
So, it can be a hassle and it can be expensive but there are ways to get it done reasonably. I find scooting across the border and using a shipping addy in WA state is a pain. I get hassled at customs far more often than not. Paying a bit more for shipping is worth it for me not to have to deal with the border guys and the stupidly long line-ups at the border.
Oh yeah, for automotive stuff made in the USA their is no "duty" at all. We do have to pay sales tax on the value of the goods though.
Rene
