I never said it's their responsibility to pay for customs (note the part where I said, "stupid borders", not ploom). That was a rant about how I didn't expect a customs fee (I don't order across the border ever), and how you're expected to pay whatever price they come up with.
If it were made in the US then the Pax would almost certainly be duty-free, but you are getting nailed because it is made in China. The fees are already determined and
you can look them up. Of course they don't have a category for vaporizers so all I can tell you is the Hammer (made in Taiwan) came marked as "tools, hand". That's almost certainly because it was shipped to me by Head Tools. The rate was ~13%, which is on the high end. It sounds like you got the same rate.
When I got my Pax I did not get charged anything. Getting charged duty has always been hit-or-miss, but I keep hearing more reports of things being assessed duty, so they might have started clamping down.
Just a question; many on here have commented on the "taste" at the 3 different temperature settings; I suppose taste may for some be a factor in deciding which setting to use but isn't it more important how the different temperature settings affect the quality of the hit? Personally I don't seem to care how much better the flavour may or may not be. The effects on my cerebral cortex would be the area where my primary focus is.
You answered your own question. There's no right answer for everybody, there's just a right answer for you, and you already said what it was.
