They had to pay 400 dollars at the airport, which is partly for public health charges, partly for agency attention: the cost of handling and shipping (flying goods in is also called shipping), and quite possibly includes tax as well. See the bottom of the order form on the website. (the form on the website is a "training" form, the items in it are fake).
They should have made it more clear, and itemise the cost, but they didn't. If I received this letter, I would have asked them to itemise it.

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Note added at 3 hrs 44 mins (2005-02-02 13:30:39 GMT)
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I am glad you ask. :-) As it happens, I received a package from the L... Center yesterday, and the \"commercial invoice\" only contains the units value x quantity, = total, and the freight weight, therefore yes, the cost of shipment is included in the unit price.
The \"Shipment Air Waybill\" does say however, that the \"Freight Co.\" may perform any of the following activities on behalf of the Shipper, in ordet to provide the service: 1. Complete documents, amend codes and pay any duties or taxes required under applicable laws and regulations. 2. act as Shipper\'s forwarding agent for customs and export control purposes and as Receiver solely for the purpose of designating a customs broker to perform customs clearance and entry.... Charges and billing: Charges are calculated on weight, and may be re-weighted, etc.(I am shortening it a bit.)Shipper shall pay or reimburse Freighter for all Shipment charges, storage charges, duties and taxes owed for services provided or incurred by Freighter on Shipper\'s or Receiver\'s or any third party\'s behalf.
The Shipper\'s Authorisation (signed by him) also contains the following: I/we authorisef the Freighter to complete other documents necessary to export this shipment. I/we agreed to pay all charges if the recipient or third party refuses to pay.
Last time they sent a package, I had to pay extra, I think, because it was deemed heavier, than what was on the commercial invoice. That\'s where the refusal comes in, I didn\'t refuse. But if the Shipper paid them, I would have had to reimburse them, anyway, because I ordered the goods.
So if your letter is from the \"Freighter\", then it seems, they are claiming for the attention provided for handling the public health charge. I think, if they had to call in a separate agent, they would include the agent\'s claim form, and also, it does\'n seem to be a major issue they couldn\'t handle themselves. Still, they should have itemised it, unless they have a minimum standard fee of $400 for the whole procedure.
I hope, that helps.


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Note added at 3 hrs 47 mins (2005-02-02 13:34:10 GMT)
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Sorry for the typo: authoriseD. Also, they probably include the c88 entry handling, if it is a separate tax.