R1,035 to release my hydration pack from customs captivity

Dear MEILI and SpeedAF,

I ordered a simple hydration pack worth about R1,600. Nothing fancy. Just something to carry water while I attempt to stay alive during exercise.

What I did not order was a R1,035 “processing fee” to retrieve it from customs.

At this point, my parcel appears to have entered a luxury spa retreat somewhere between China and my doorstep, because “processing” does not usually cost more than half the value of the actual item.

For R1,035, I can only assume the service includes:

First-class emotional support for my parcel A guided tour of customs facilities Possibly a small graduation ceremony upon clearance

What makes this even more impressive is the transparency:

No clear warning at checkout No upfront disclosure of these fees Just a surprise invoice delivered like a financial jump scare

And if you try contact support? The official email address does not “go unanswered” — it simply does not exist. Gmail returns it like it is rejecting a fictional character.

Now for the important part:

Under the South African Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, consumers are entitled to fair value, transparency, and full disclosure of costs before purchase. Charges must be reasonable and not misleading or hidden in post-purchase “surprises.”

A fee structure that effectively doubles the cost of an item after purchase — without prior disclosure — does not align with those principles.

At this point, I am not convinced I ordered a product. I think I accidentally entered a logistics-based escape room where the final boss is “unexpected import fees.”

For clarity: I will not be paying this amount.

If a courier fee can materially alter the total cost of a purchase after the fact, then something is fundamentally wrong with the transparency of the process — not the customer.

Regards, A person who just wanted water bottles, not a legal case with a tracking number