Parcel is taxed?

Recently, a friend of mine in Perth, Australia, decided to send a parcel to me which included some personal items such as skin care products and a pair of jeans. He went to his local post office and was told that he could send the parcel "door to door" and that it would take three days. This was a more expensive way of sending the parcel but at least he would be assured of fast and secure delivery.

Unfortunately, they don't know about Pos Indonesia. I received a notice from the Jl. Fatmawati post office 10 days later telling me to collect the parcel. So much for "door to door" service. The notice was dated the 3rd and delivered on the 9th.

Much to my horror, when I went to the post office to collect the parcel, I was informed that I had to pay Rp 918,333 in tax. I subsequently told the gentleman that he could send the parcel back to Australia.

Could somebody responsible at the post office please explain why a parcel of personal items is subject to tax or any other costs, when delivery charges are already paid?

MAL HERRING

Jakarta