The problem isn't merely the limit on the value of the goods that can be brought in, it's the cost of paying brokerage to pay the measly tax at the border. A while back I shipped something by UPS worth about $60. The UPS charge to ship and collect the $3 tax (into Alberta) was over $140. I was shipping to a client using their account and asked for a quote before I sent - UPS refused to give one since it wasn't my account. I wouldn't have shipped otherwise. The $20 limit is unconscionable. It's probably there to "protect" Canadian businesses, but Canadian businesses would be better served by making themselves more competitive. More of us need to directly contact our MPs to give them an earful on this archaic and unfair practice.