I have heard many stories from Canadian Hams who have been charged
these kind of fees by the courier companies. UPS has come in for
strong criticism from this group.
Canada Post/Customs charges a $5.00 handling fee on shipment sent
via US Post plus whatever Sales taxes apply. Some Canadian Hams who
live near the border rent Post Office boxes in US border towns. They
take their radio purchases through the Customs shack at the border, pay
the proper customs charge (if any) and avoid the extortion mentioned
above.
Bob