Exchange. Buying US $ can be expensive.

Winnie can call the customs people and ask about import duties, but
besides those (if they are due) there will certainly be a sales tax
charged on stuff crossing the border. The exact percentage depends on
which region of Canada you live in, I think. Gifts don't count,
but anything that is purchased does. I've run into problems with people
sending me books, the government charges me tax, I explain the books
weren't bought (they are either gifts or loans), the government sends me
back my money. I don't think you can pre-pay the tax, although some
US businesses with a lot of Canadian customers do have special
arrangements like that.

Oh, and I don't know Winnie's views, but I hate getting anything by
courier. Canada Post (and the US post office) is the way to go. A courier
company charges extra to the recipient for crossing the border. One of
them wanted to charge me $40 for transporting a single book across the
border. When I asked why the post offices don't charge anything, and they
charged so much, they said post offices were in unfair competition
because they were excused some fees for customs services.

The way to get around "import duties" when shipping to Canada (Our Friendly
Neighbors to the North): When filling out customs forms list the item as a
"gift" and give it a $0 value.  Since you're not sending "merchandise", it
can't have a value, therefore they can't charge a tariff on it!

What I meant was while I pay you in US.$,  I have to use more CDN$ to buy
a  US.$ money order or draft to send you. The current exchange rate is $0.82
to
$1 U.S.
Similarly, Hill's is made in U.S., so Hill's prescription  food costs more
when I paid with CDN$.

Winnie