That's not true. On the Canadian end, you don't need anything other than the a receipt to pay the taxes to import, but you need an inspection from the USFWS to legally export them from the States. The inspection needs to be booked 48 hours in advance and you need to fill out a 3-177 form. Also, you technically need an import/export license but they seem to let you get away with it if you're only bringing in a few "pets". Not to mention, you also need an Exemption to Designated Port Permit if you're not driving through a designated port. They seem to also let people get away with this though. I researched extensively last summer as I was really hoping to bring some snakes home.

You can easily just drive them over, but it's not exactly legal and I'd hate to be caught in a situation where any animals' lives are compromised.

Edit: Just thought I'd also add that when you use Reptile Express to import, you're basically paying them to use their permits.