I went to the post office last week to pick up a package. The value of it was $4.99 and when they gave me slip for what I owe to claim my envelope, the cost was higher than the value. When I asked why this was they said because they charge duty on postage as well as the value of the item. (which happened to be $20.52)

I do not seem to recall it being like that before.

Can anyone tell me if it was always like this or has something changed recently?

Yup...always...plus you gotta pay GST too....and environmental tax.

Then people curse the merchants for charging double for imported goods...

Tacogirl, that seems odd to me. So do they charge duty on the postage on a letter?
and imported goods don't come through the postal service, so even though there are all those other taxes & duty, at least they would avoid the postage duty, yes?

It was a small package Leah-Ann

Jesse I thought it might have been. I do not remember getting charged as much on other items as I did this time.

No postage but duty on freight and any costs. Then there are brokerage fees...

Import Duties are based on the landed value of merchandise, which includes shipping costs (postage) and even insurance paid.

SIN

thanks, SIN, I think that answers my question about charging "postage duty" on a letter

Also beware when showing receipts of items brought in on the airplane. EX, The first time I brought in art mats, you know the cut acid free cardboard for artprints, photos etc. I ordered them online, had them sent to a address in the States picked them up and packed them down here. Mats are heavy, and although I brought in 500 of them at a value of less than $50 US. The UPS postage was on the receipt, UPS from New York To Calif, nothing to do with Belize, that was over $100 I was charged duty on that. Now dozens of times later I verbally refer to the mats as cut cardboard, which is what they are and show no receipt and pay practically nothing.

Customs is onto that loophole when charging on freight. They expect to see freight costs from the seller to the port.

I've brought in goods that were shipped "free" (in other words, included in the cost of the goods) by the manufacturer in California to Hyde Shipping in Miami, with the invoice clearly marked to that effect. Customs in Belize didn't believe that freight from California should be "free" and invented their own cost for it, which they then charged me duty etc on. I tried to point out that "free" and "at no extra charge" are NOT the same thing, but I might just as well have saved my breath.

Bringing goods in by "conventional" routes can generate incredible charges (not uncommonly amounting to 50%+ of the total of the cost in the US plus shipping plus insurance). The last time I brought in PADI dive manuals I was charged so much they ended up costing me more than I could possibly sell them for. When I complained I was told I always had the option of forfeiting the goods. This no doubt is why there are several "unofficial and unconventional" routes operating.