I want to ship a package to Canada without flat rate shipping. I'd like to be able to have some sort of rough estimate of how much it will cost to ship so that I can have a better idea of what I can send. I have a budget I need to stick to and would prefer not to be completely surprised by the cost and need to remove items.

Is there a certain dollar amount per pound for international shipments? I've called my local post office to find out and I was told they couldn't say. Unless the price fluctuates on a daily basis, I don't understand why there's no way to tell how much it will cost to ship something based on ounces or pounds. I know that I won't get an exact weight until it's measured.