Sorry, worked in this industry, and I have to defend UPS and FedEx here.
The reason they have to charge brokerage is because they're not government
agencies, and don't have quite as streamlined a process as the postal
service.  In a way, the government agency you are touting is the reason that
FedEx and UPS have to charge higher fees.

Also, FedEx and UPS offer insurance and trackability, so you can always find
your Vanagon parts (RVC) when they get lost.  FedEx and UPS are two of the
most reliable common carriers on the planet, and you get what you pay for
99.9% of the time.

Anyway, just a thought.  Sounds like your shipper might have used 2 or 3-day
air?
bmc  :)
"Faith will move mountains, but you'd better bring a shovel...."

> From: 80 Westy Pokey <pokey@VANAGON.ORG>
> Reply-To: 80 Westy Pokey <pokey@VANAGON.ORG>
> Date: Fri, 7 Jun 2002 09:17:43 -0400
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Canadians beware! UPS are a bunch of crooks
>
> I have been on this rant before but I just got burned again
> and I have to vent.
>
> I just got a rear facing seat from an 82 Westy, and because
> of a miscomunication the seller ended up sending the item
> UPS. The cost for the seat was about $58 US, UPS shipping was
> $42. The shipping in itself was not the end of it...
>
> UPS charged me $37.45 Canadian / $24.32 US in brokerage
> fees... this is over and above any customs charges and duty.
> So the total shipping charge from UPS is a whopping $102.13
> Canadian or $66.32 US. Fedex does the same thing. This is why
> I NEVER use these jerks.
>
> Canada Post charges a flat $5 fee over an above duty or 87%
> less than UPS in this case.
>
> Thanks,
> Chris
>