Bob have you checked on less than container load shipping? You might be able to find a freight forwarder up there in Canada that will do it that way. I know I see a lot of stuff shipped into and out of the US that way and it usually pretty damn cheap. And I have never seen it packed any better than strapping or shrink warp to hold it to the pallet. They will also do floor loads of less than container load cargo.
If not here are some freight forwarders located in NY. Some have offices right over the border:
http://www.forwarders.com/StateDirectory/NY.html