Canada

What do you mean it’s free from local GST? It’s absolutely not.

When you import a package they will assess:

• GST/PST/HST based on the province you import it to
• duties and tariffs if they apply to that item
• a service charge for assessing and collecting the fees
• if it’s shipped via an international courier like FedEx, a customs brokerage fee for “allowing” them to make the payments to the government on your behalf

You will not save money importing this from Japan. You will pay more than you would here. The only reason to import it is because it’s cool and not available here. You will also have no warranty coverage if something is wrong with it.

Yes the customs value will be assessed at the border, and then a customs brokerage fee will be put on top. The customs value will include things you wouldn't expect, like your shipping charges.

Below a certain value it's not worth the time to pay someone to collect it, otherwise they want their tax income and to encourage local spending.

So that people pay taxes.

Are you even comparing the same things? The 日本語国内専用モデル can't switch languages like the international models. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I doubt they'd sell the Japan-only model in Canada.

Because of the huge land border we share with the usa, it's easier to ship into Canada at various points of entry.

The loophole that allowed the Japanese versions of tech to import into Canada is long closed.