I have to send a dozen arrows to Canada, and was wondering what description for customs, to avoid penalties/fees on the receivers end?

Haven't ship there yet...

Thank you

Archery components.

I mark them as gifts, this has avoided Canadian taxes in the past. 2-4 weeks seems to be average delivery time.

Just declare them as Sporting goods or Archery goods.
Trying to avoid the tax with a false declaration can lead to lots of delays,and or seizure and they usualy charge the sales tax anyway if they smell a false declaration.
Pete

Usually I don't have any delay's getting my products form the US.  Just put the actual value on it and it really will be up to the customs agent if they are going to have it taxed or not.  We pay tax to the delivery company or at the post office.  No big deal either way.

 Can this be right, I got to the Post Office, because the package is over 24" long, I have to send Priority Mail.

$23.50, and that is not any added insurance    

this is a larger post office so I'm assuming this is correct... Man, I'd hate to send a bow...

That sounds about right to me. The cardboard envelopes they supply are $11.95 to ship to Canada.

I shipped a set of medium ILF limbs to Canada within the last few weeks. My P.O gave me a choice of priority or 1st class - which was half the priority rate. Surely my box was longer than 24". But then my postmistress probably doesn't have that much experience shipping to Canada.

Just don't send them UPS! It can be a few dollars cheaper, but the pirates hit you hard at the receiving end with processing charges that make you moan.

And- I'm not coaching anyone to do anything illegal- however I regularily will have a value of half the original value put on the item to help at this end with the taxes. This needs to be weighed against the insurance value, but if well packaged, insurance may not be necessary, depending upon the item.

Mitchell, I feel your pain. I will never sell another bow to someone in Canada again.         I sold a bow at a bargain price to someone in Canada. With all the extra fees, etc,etc I took a bath on the deal.      

The Canadian postal service is a mess.  Two thirds of that cost isn't the USPS.

I get all kinds of arrows shipped up here.Company sends up 2 dozen arrows with declared values. USPS ground 15 bucks or so and never have a problem. As mentioned NEVER  send UPS as they charge a "brokerage" fee which can be an additional twenty.

no duty either as the arrows are made in the USA

If there are additional unforseen charges in a transaction then surely and especially with the quality of people on the trad gang things can be worked out/adjusted for mutual satisfaction.
Most people i have dealt with on the trad gang i have dealt with more than once. That says it all.
Be carefull once you start doing it you might enjoy it  

As long as it is made In the USA, you don't have to right anything other than what it is! We have to pay tax and that is life. If you worry about duty/custom, they won't have to pay any since the arrows are made in the USA.

Don't be afraid to ship to Canada guys. I have had lots of stuff (bows, knives, wood, knife making components, etc) shipped up from the U.S. and virtually no problems. State what it is and the correct value, send it USPS not UPS and it should be all good. When dealing with TG'ers, I typically throw in a few extra $ for the additional shipping and it all works out. Customs, duty, and taxes are on our end.

Stay away from UPS.  Wanted to charge me $212.00 to broker a $1,000 bow shipment.  That did not even include duty and taxes.  Sent it back. USPS = no brokerage fee.