Shipping To Canada/Customs rules?

[kzm007]

I've got a friend in Halifax, NS who's a big fan of HBO's TRUE BLOOD thanks to me :D. I was looking online today, and I saw that they've created a TruBlood beverage knockoff for sale.

I was going to have her order a four-pack and send me two, and then I'd pay her for it via PP. I thought it'd be easier sending it directly to her, rather than having me fumble with packaging and all that. However, shipping to Canada is $25.95 US compared to it being $10 cheaper shipping it to me instead.

What's the best course of action? Could I save money by having it sent to me, and then mailing her her half, or is it going to be about the same either way?

And what're Customs' rules for marking an item as a gift, what does that guarantee, if anything?

Thanks all.

http://store.hbo.com/detail.php?p=105736&v=hbo_shows_true-blood

[bobarian]

You would have to ship by courier(UPS, FedEx, etc) Liquids by USPS are a no-no.

[shaggy]

no promises on the gift thing but usually they dont bother with them from a house to a house and under 20 bucks. cant be labeled as alcohol or tobbacco tho

prolly just as cheap and easy to have it shipped direct to them

[kzm007]

Right, I think HBO uses FedEx for these :) thanks.

And it's not anything, just a soda I guess, but I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.

[kzm007]

Looks like they're shippable to US only, anyway. Sigh...oh well, thanks all.

[kzm007]

One more thing. Would these go flat shipping from me to her? I'd think it wouldn't make a difference, they ship to me after all, but I'd hate for her to get them and not even be able to drink them.

[RBOrrell]

My only advice is to not use UPS.... they charge a customs/brokerage fee that is huge. I have bought things from the US and when they are shipped UPS the customs/brokerage fee is over the original cost.