If you are having kits set to you and have a choice of UPS or UPSS (the postal service) UPS charges an additional handling fee of about 40-50 bucks. UPS changed their service and one of the recent things I bought off of Ebay was shipped to me 3 times and on the 3rd time finally made it across the border. I'll take UPSS postal service anytime. Another advantage is I can pick the package up at a local mall when I want, not when UPS is here. When the package arrives if it over $50 you tend to owe them for GST (close to $50 they overlook it sometimes). Another thing to be careful of is how the person sending declares the items in the package. I had a little horn that I won for $25 U.S. The person sending declared 1 horn worth $100. They inspected the package and found 2 horns therefore a value of $200 U.S. and proceeded to tax me $14 U.S. GST which turned into $24 Canadian. Wayne is smart enough that this won't happen on a 2 Pi kit though.

If you are talking about bringing things across the border yourself while visiting what is "free" is based on how many days you spend in the States. One day $50 free, 1 week is about $500. Check the customs site for specifics.

After getting used to shopping by mail you'll never restrict yourself to local shopping again. There's just so much available that can't be found locally. The only drawback is shipping/ customs duties.

If you have any specific questions let me know and if I can help I will.

Happy shopping.

Grant.