iHerb shipping options to Canada

I got quite a few queries about what the best shipping option would be if you live in Canada.

I have copied and pasted the following info from iHerb's site.  Currently they offer four options:

DHL- Duties & Taxes Prepaid

(Estimated Delivery: May 26, 2016 - May 31, 2016)

Extra discount for orders over CA$52.89!
Includes all Duties & Taxes!
With tracking, Max 150 lbs (68 kg), No P.O. Box

Airmail Premium

(Estimated Delivery: May 31, 2016 - June 14, 2016)

Flat CA$10.58 With Tracking
Orders up to $80.00 and 4 lbs. (1814 grams)

Airmail

(Estimated Delivery: May 31, 2016 - June 28, 2016)

Flat CA$5.29! No Tracking
Orders up to $80.00 and 4lbs. (1814 grams)

UPS

(Estimated Delivery: May 25, 2016 - May 31, 2016)

Duties and Taxes may be collected at delivery
With tracking, Max 150 lbs (68 kg), No P.O. Box

Let's look at each of the options:

DHL (about CA$16 for orders less than US$40; CA$10.58 for orders over US$40)

• fast, reliable, all charges are pre-paid so you won't have surprises later.
• Extra discount for orders over CA$52.89
• Usually the order arrives in 2 or 3 days (sometimes the next day!)
• Choose it if you need the order sooner, or you don't want to face any uncertainty or surprised charges, like brokerage fees and processing fees, and if your order is over US$40

Airmail Premium

• It's like a "stuck in the middle option", not as cheap as regular Airmail, and not as fast as DHL.  Tracking info not as detailed as DHL too.  

Airmail

• Good option if you are looking for a least expensive option.
• It takes about two weeks for delivery (no tracking)
• In case you are charged with processing fees and duties/taxes, it's still reasonable. Canada Post may collect $5 for processing fees if they decide to collect duties and taxes on your package, but they don't always do.   Many Canadian iHerb shoppers shared that as long as you keep the order valued below US$20 (some say below US$40), there is a good chance you don't have to pay the processing fees and duties/taxes.

UPS

• Honestly I don't know why someone would pick UPS.  Shipping charge is higher than DHL.   The brokerage fee could be $20 or even more.   So if you are considering UPS, you should probably pick DHL instead.

Of course, I hope that one day, iHerb can offer FREE shipping to Canada on orders over US$40, just like some other countries such as HK, Korea, Singapore, etc.