BigMig:

A lot of that shipping cost by UPS is their brokerage fee. Look at your receipt/waybill next time. This is one of the major reasons I avoid UPS/FedEx like the plague.

Other reason is they do NOT leave parcel delivery attempt notes here in Canada. You don't know if its there unless you have the package tracking number and check the website nightly. Then you usually have to be there when it comes, or go to the depot to get it (and mine is the opposite end of town, a 1.5 hour bus ride either way, and then a mile walk into an industrial park (or a cab ride which costs more than the shipping)

And remember, you Americans have it easy with importing. $100 allowance in USD, we only get $20 in Canadian $. NAFTA - NOT a Free Trade Agreement.