A lot depends on each countries customs and rules and regulations, as well as how something is sent. Airmail, Express Airmail, Ground, UPS, DHL, Federal Express, etc. My Halloween package to Aulruna, from US to Germany, went Express Airmail. It got there in 5 days. Customs in Germany held it for a week longer. I just sent her Christmas parcel the same way, but filled out an extra form that specified it was a gift so hopefully this time they won't wait too long and she won't have to open it all up in front of them. We shall see. It costs a lot more, plus I insure, but I get better tracking results and can really see what is going on. I hope that helps!
BTW...things going from US into Canada seem to be much faster than things coming from Canada into the US. Not sure what is going on. Better security, I guess, from 9/11.