Maybe this is a silly question, but I'm honestly a little confused.

I (based in the UK) ordered a Christmas gift online for someone in Canada, which the online store sent through DHL. DHL contacted me about paying the customs/duty charge, and while I tried to pay this myself, after some back-and-forth over the payment not going through, it's clear that my UK bank card won't work, so the Canadian receiver is going to have to pay the charge. After some Googling, as the DHL website says that "DHL Express (Canada) will pay the charges on the receiver’s behalf and collect payment from the receiver prior to or on delivery", I decided to have the reciever pay on delivery. However, the package has been listed as "on hold" since December 18. Prior to that, it was listed as "On hold awaiting for payment of shipment related fees".

So for those of you with experience of dealing with DHL, does this mean that DHL has paid the customs/duty charge, and the package is just idling somewhere waiting to be put on a delivery truck? Or is it waiting for the customs/duty to be paid by the gift reciever, even though the website said that the reciever can pay on delivery? Nowhere does it say a "payment of shipment related fees" has been processed/accepted/whatever. Some threads/websites make it seem like the customs/duty has to be paid BY THE RECIEVER before DHL will deliver the package--that DHL doesn't pay the customs/duty on the reciever's behalf--but this contradicts the website. What is the truth.

If I've ever used DHL, it was so long ago that I don't remember going through all this, and I'm a bit stressed as I don't want this Christmas gift to be returned or destroyed. Any advice/clarification would be appreciated. Thank you! :)

Edit: i went through the process and will summarize the steps taken for anyone who has a similar question.

1. Request paperwork from DHL to do self clearance. They have a form on their website where you put in your email and waybill #. I got my form within 24 hours. They will also have a contact email for you to send the confirmation of payment to them.

2. Print out the forms.

3. Take it to your nearest CBSA office and pay in person. There is no online payment option at the time of writing this. The addressee needs to go, if you are getting someone to go on your behalf call the office in advance to ask what additional paperwork you need, such as a copy of the addressee’s ID, copy of invoice, and a letter of authorization.

4. Once paid, CBSA will give you a receipt. Scan and email this receipt to DHL. I just took a photo using a scan app.

5. DHL will arrange delivery. Unlike some of the other posts I’ve seen on here, i did not need to go pick up the package from a DHL warehouse.

Based on my understanding, not all CBSA office does self clearance for personal packages. Call ahead to confirm if you’re unsure.

Ordered some stuff from lounge for $174.5. Then received an invoice for $78.51 from DHL. It was broken down into this: +26.76 tax +31.41 duty +20.34 processing fee =$78.51. I never ordered from a company outside of Canada, so I was quite upset and unprepared for that hefty additional cost.

Does this seem unreasonably high or does it add up?? 😭 I just paid it bc I knew I wasnt going to be able to self declare and wanted the package to deliver.

I would like to be prepared the next time, and wondering how can I go about avoiding any fees from DHL. As well, is self declaring worth it considering time / money to do so?

Thank you.