Ordered about $40,000 worth of mining equipment from Halong and DHL is stating I have to pay more than $1,200 in import duty taxes and fees! Is this right? I had no idea it would be this much. I live near the customs office, should I try to clear it myself? Im in the USA.
Lol in my country you would pay over 10k for import taxes. So consider yourself lucky

Are you serious that you have to pay 25%? It is so high IMO, indeed 1,2k is still low compared to what I have pay here in my country as from $40,000 then I will need to pay at least $4k (10%).
OP: if you think it is too high, you should check the official rules/laws about import/export of your local government.