Don't pay for Express!

So in lieu of winter arriving, I buy some new jeans, have them shipped in as soon as SA dropped to Level 4, meaning winter clothes are part of the essential items list. I get mailed on a Sunday with a "pay the release fees or we'll return the items in 48hrs" ultimatum from fedex express.

fair enough, I pay what seem to be exorbitant fees considering I've made the same import last year with no duties, compared to 85% of the item price this time - so I wrote it off to lockdown regulations.

then my item arrives in Cape Town, only for the delivery scheduled date to constantly moved, with no update from fedex. Eventually I reach out and am told I need a CIPC Level 4 Permit, with not guidance to what it is, etc.

at a loss of what to do, super frustrating, expensive and when asked to provide proof of the payment to customs, I get sent my waybill and the commercial invoice, how am I supposed to trust that the amount I had to pay to release the item wasn't too much?

I get that we're in a pandemic situation, but if you continue to promise a service, deliver it.