Among other things, I had to procure a few times some industrial items needed for emergency repair. One time, I had to acquire replacement elements for some common cartridge filters. Not exactly an exotic item. The regional supplier had a 2 week delivery time for common filters and played dumb on even able to supply the specialty filter cartridges I needed. Price was 50% greater than USA retail. I was pretty cranky so contacted the USA manufacturer and via their website was able to purchase at USA retail and the 2-day shipping fee included customs fees. Easy. The next time I had a mechanical failure with a large activated carbon system. Turned out that an inexperienced engineer had saved a few bucks by using PVC plastic internal parts instead of 316 stainless and the PVC failed. I called the USA manufacturer directly and they shipped the parts air freight the same day. Import tariffs were applied to both of these 2 examples.
I’ve watched the bordor show that reveals some of what the border people do, you being held up for having your company attest to who you are does appear to mean you’ll be sitting for several hours. But you certainly struck it well for getting a 2 yr. visa for sure!
You don’t want to break down on anything in Canada or it’s going to cost you plenty! That’s why they all shoot down here all the time to acquire goods etc. cheaper. Heck even the refugees and foreigners learn to do that in quick order.
No matter how much some may say they hate the US...they think nothing of taking home our goods.