Just got a package from the states and was charged for 3 different charges. The handling fee (Formalites en douane) is now CHF 35, not the 10 anymore......and this was definitely the highest cost of the three charges: Droits de douane, TVA (VAT), and Formalites en douane.

btw, I was told after calling the number on the reciept that the VAT is caculated by (value of goods + postages + Droits de douane) * 7.6%. You are effectively taxed VAT on the duties which makes absolutely no sense to me.

My question now is (I forgot to ask over the phone) if I return part of the purchase back to the sender, can I get a partial refund of the duties and VAT? Anyone?

OTOH,
I like it back in the states where I shopped all over the world online and never once had to pay any duties or taxes, not even on a brand new cell phone and >10 packages with over 200-300GBP value declared...