Shipping to Canada

[MWirwicki]

Does anyone know if there is anything special one needs to do to ship a bow to Canada?  Is it best/easiest to ship via US Post Office or UPS?

[osage outlaw]

I've never shipped a bow to Canada but I've shipped a few staves in trades.  I used USPS.  It was expensive and took a long time.  One stave took around a month to get there. 

[Pat B]

USPS! You will have to fill out a US Customs form. You can pick one up at the PO, it's a little green form usually out on the counter. I've never shipped a bow but I have shipped materials. They had little monetary value so I indicated that and that it was a gift.

[JEB]

As mentioned above. I mailed some rock to England and the cost wasn't too bad and it took about two weeks.

[wizardgoat]

Make sure you say the cost is very low, like less than 50$, and that its a gift for a friend

[sleek]

I have several times. The above advice is sound. Low value of what you are shipping to avoid import tax. Pack em good too.  Two weeks is average and $80 is about what I recall for shipping. 

[Marc St Louis]

If you want the receiver to avoid paying duties then keep the value under $50.  If you are sending materials then list the contents as craft supplies

[MWirwicki]

Sending a bow.  Thanks guys.  I'll list it as a gift less than $50

[JoJoDapyro]

Don't lie on the customs form. Don't leave anything off of the customs form. I sent mine labeled as "Native american inspired artwork". No wild feathers. Oh, and don't leave anything off. the bow I shipped was $42 US and arrived in about 6 days. Utah to Edmonton. I shipped a sinew backed osage bow, and six bamboo arrows.

[MWirwicki]

Good advice, JoJo!

[JoJoDapyro]

My grandma learned the hard way. She sent Christmas gifts once and put on the claims form "Gifts". They were all opened. Our rule is don't read the customs form!

[mullet]

Like Marc said for crafts supplies, for bows I valued it less then $50 and called it Wall Art.

[BowEd]

Yep I'll confirm that....under 50$ and as craft supplies.

[mullet]

And,, no feathers or leather. The last time I was in Customs in Edmonton, I watched the couple in front of me lose an entire suitcase of handmade goat skin gloves from some country in Africa because they were leather. Then they grabbed me for 2 1/2 hours because of the electronic tubes with wires and a hand held control panel along with the Engineer that took care of the paperwork was named Mohamid Al,,,,,,,  They love me in Canada. Two weeks later the police were called to the airport in Winnepeg because they found a .17HMR boooolit as the policeman pronounced it , in my jacket pocket.