Shipping boxes to Canada?

I live in Canada and have received numerous packages through UPS, Post, trucking companies. The way to get around brokerage fees is to have the shipper state under shipping instructions "to be cleared by receiver". Most of the time UPS goes ahead and brokers it themselves and try to charge brokerage fees but b/c of special instructions stated, they wave the fee and write it down as goodwill. This has happened a few times to me. Also, it's easy to broker yourself - just a hassle to pick up the form and bring it to Customs but normally customs office is close by most shipping offices - at least in large cities.

All the above are correct. For the shipper in the U.S. it's no problem. I am in Canada and USPS saves me a bundle as a buyer. If you must ship via UPS, do us a favour and keep the declared value on the low side. How would you feel having to pay big bucks in tax for buying your next door neighbour's used lawn mower?

I've tried it all:

Fedex Express - will charge customs brokerage fees

Fedex Ground - will assign third party broker from which you will receive invoice for their customs brokerage fee
UPS - as said by others, they will charge their $45 flat fee for brokerage plus customs

CanadaPost/USPS - they don't charge anything for brokerage only GST and any custom fees (declared value above $200)

You can insure things with Fedex for up to $25K, UPS does not insure at all, CanadaPost maxes out at $1000

My advice: use USPS if you don't need insurance over CAD$1000, anything else go with Fedex