F.Y.I. for you if you are feeling adventurous the next time that this happens- Refuse the fee and clear the package yourself.
This has happened to me as well. I never agreed to any customs broker fees or services when I placed the order, they were not even mentioned. Many courier companies just add this service and fee and present it as an additional necessary service. I have been told by a Canadian customs broker that you do not have to agree to a brokerage fee for customs clearance or pay one if you didn't agree to it when the order was placed. He said to refuse the charge and tell them that you will be doing the customs clearance yourself. The package will be returned to their depot and held there until clearance is confirmed. He said that a broker's license is not required for individuals clearing personal items, and that for individuals bringing in personal items this is a simple process that can be done online. Doing this means that you will be paying the customs fee only and not the additional brokers fee for the service, which is often higher than the customs.
I have never done this and I have no idea what is involved. It all sounds well and good but this might be simple for someone who works as a customs broker but not so much for everyone else. I have always suspected that this may well be a confusing governmental bureaucratic descent in to hell for the average person and that the attempt would likely render most mere mortals more than happy to pay the fee the next time. Then again, who knows until you try.
