It is not "shipping to Canada" that is the problem, but that shipping companies capitalize on excessive charges to complete the paperwork to cross the border, both directions. I have done some importing on my own without a broker and it is easy, but curriers insist on either their own or a third party licensed broker to clear customs for the parcels that they are carrying.

Actually, shipping to the US, involves much more paperwork to be completed than shipping into Canada. I have done both. One example is that US customs requires either the receiver individual's social insurance number or the Company's tax number for items imported plus other red tape they throw at you.