Purchasing lens from Canada, Shipping to US - fees?

Anyone have experience with this? I've searched a bit and the impression I get is that there is no duty collected but that commercial shippers (UPS, FedEx) like to tack on a hefty 'handling charge'. Is this correct?

That is correct.

We've helped our readers make several hundred new lens purchases from Canada this year -- our experience is there is zero tax/duty/brokerage fees if USPS (US Postal Service) is used, e.g. the seller mails it via Canada Post.

If UPS or FedEx is used, a duty (tariff) and/or hefty brokerage fee may be applied.

Never bought one, but a friend who lives in Toronto found a Nikon lens really cheap and mailed it to me using regular mail. No hassles with fees.