Shipping to Canada.....

Has anyone had any luck or know a method for shipping from US to Canada without a ridiculous amount of "customs fees"?

Yeah do not use UPS or FedEx. Send it via USPS declare it to be exactly what it is with a reasonable value. The last time I did it I also wrote returning used personal property. Had no problem. Similarly had the same with stuff coming from Canada.

^^^
Spot on, ship via USPS.
Also, if you try to purchase insurance for your parcel, that insurance stops at the border.
My wife experiences this issue with shipping photos across the border.

Ship via USPS.

Noted!!! Thank you gents - Cheers!

When selling/shipping international, I always mark 'gift' and hope for the best for the receiver.

Even if you mark it as gift, if the declared value exceeds some nominal value (I think it is $50 or used to be) the person receiving may still have to pay duty - seems to depend on the mood of the customs officials. UPS and Fed Ex both have 'brokerage fees' and shipping that way also pretty much guarantees you will never avoid paying duty.

if you live close to the border, get it shipped there (us side) and go pick it up