I sent a couple of rather large knife blades to the Czech Republic this summer with no difficulty beyond parting with the cash for USPS Global Priority mail. The customer got 'em in about ten days each time, unmessed-with by customs. But yeah, customs are a law unto themselves, literally.
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
It seems to take about four weeks to get stuff to or from Canada, and I was just quoted a delivery date of January 6, 2010 for a book I just bought that's in England.
The blades cost $55 to ship, but the price is based on weight. For a pipe I'd think you could get away with under $20. The blades were taped to a board to prevent movement then packed in 3-inch PVC pipe with turned 2" thick wood endcaps. Each package weighed about six pounds when done, but the blades did not escape captivity so I know it worked.
I usually undervalue things on the customs forms as well. I feel that a high declared value not only causes the customer grief via tariffs, etc., but also incites the curiosity of customs agents.