OK, I broke out Excel for a comparison. I'm a nerd, what can I say. Shipping direct VS my wife and I driving down to Hood River/Portland to pick up the sails. Over 48 hours each person gets an $800 exemption
This is for 3 Retros from Sailworks. $1964.48 approx (CAD)
PICKING UP IN HOOD RIVER 48 hours.
GAS: $100.00 CAD
Food for 2 people ($40 per person per day): $160.00 CAD
Hotel Portland 1 night:$150.00 CAD
Hotel Hood River 1 night: $70.00 CAD
Dog in the Kennel for 2 nights ($36/day): $72.00 CAD
Duties (16%) on amount over the $800 exemption ($1600 total): $58.32 CAD
Taxes (12%) on amount over the $800 exemption. ($1600 total): $50.74 CAD
TOTAL Expenses for two people to drive down and pick up over 48 hours: $661.05 CAD
Not to mention the hassle and TIME!!
SHIPPING DIRECT
Shipping: $167.99 CAD
Duties (16%) on full amount: $314.32 CAD
Taxes (12%) on full amount: $273.46 CAD
Brokerage - N/A. I will self clear at the airport.
TOTAL Expenses to ship sails directly: $755.76 CAD
It's approximately $94 more expensive to ship. This assumes the border guards do charge duty on the amount over the exemption when we drive back and, assumes I can self clear brokerage at the airport if I shipped. It is more expensive to ship by $94 but, I don't have to drive 12 hours or take 48 hours out of my life (and my wife's). Perhaps for an extra $94 it's worth saving the hassle of the drive and 48 hours away.
Now... IF we drive down, and IF the border guards don't charge the duty, the saving to pickup vs shipping is more like $160. Still not sure if that's worth driving down for.
However...
...IF I ship and, IF they decide NOT to charge the duty on the shipment (only taxes), its actually cheaper to ship than it is to drive down and pick them up.