Naming and Shaming

Supposedly, they decided at the G20 summit to name and shame those countries who practice protectionism. Well, I think Switzerland should be one of the first ones on the list! This country definitely does not allow free trade. I ordered some blankets from the US, and the total cost of the items was $91.00, which was clearly written on a receipt on the outside of the package. Well, the duty officials decided to charge me 50 francs to receive my package, which is about 50% of the original cost. I asked the post-man why it was so much, and he just said "it's the duty officials who decide." They always include a "description" of the charges, but it seems that they can just charge whatever they want...there is no set rate as far as I can tell. I didn't have enough cash to pay for it, so now I have to make an extra trip to the post office to pick it up after I withdraw more cash. I am tempted not to pay it, but I don't think I will get reimbursed from the company in the US. There are some things I will miss about Switzerland, including its beauty and its dairy products, but I am so eager to get back to the US and have some actual variety and competition and low prices....Target here I come!