From the US Postal Service website:
...and further to the stronger borders initiative bill 213, passed in October 2006, all parcels entering into the United States, from Canada, which could contain hazardous or explosive materials, will now be subject to a mandatory opening and inspection, the cost of which will be supplied by the sender, in the form of a $5.00 user surcharge, charged to a pre-arranged US funds bank account, or a credit card with US banking priveledges.
This initiative is scheduled to take effect on May 1 2007, and will affect surface small packets in the following weight categories:
250g-500g and 500g to 1kg. Air small packets will be screened by X-ray, and passed by canine units as available, and the same $5.00 security fee will apply.
Man!!!!!
