Last year? That post wouldn't be out of place on one of the GSP megathreads from about ten years ago!
@chriluh0, one of the big things about the GSP that doesn't seem to have been covered by the tax department is that technically speaking, the buyers don't pay taxes and duty on a GSP-forwarded item. The "import charges" you see are an estimate based on the buyer's location and information on the item's category, shipping size, etc. that's been provided by the seller. Pitney Bowes (the administrator of the GSP) is the entity on record for paying the taxes and duty, not the buyer.
Think of it this way: If you lent your car out to a friend and they gassed it up for you. paid with a credit card, and you paid your friend back in cash, who would be the one on record as having filled up the tank? Hint: Not you. But you'd still be out the money for the fill-up.
And, yes, other charges related to customs processing are part of the import charges. I've found that usually those charges work out to less than US$5.00, though it might be a bit more now thanks to inflation. That's why they're called "import charges" and not "import duty and taxes." Personally, I've found that with the right items, those charges are pretty reasonable compared to what other carriers charge.
As @brettjet38 points out, though, the GSP is being retired, so you'll have to figure out if eBay International Shipping--the replacement forwarding service--serves your needs better or not.
