what are the import fees I see when I buy from overseas. They are much higher than the 10% GST

[jafitc]

I am often charged import fees for items from oversease. The explanation is that these are fees for bringing into the country. Why are they so much higher than the 10% GST that the Australian government actually charges?

[gutterpunkz05]

Overseas sellers and shipping agents who are required to collect GST on behalf of the ATO, are permitted to charge fees on top of the GST for collecting and processing GST.  As far as I am aware the extra charges are not regulated and most just list them as import charges.