About the taxes and customs for gift, and with caveat of not being a lawyer, but with my limited knowledge on how the processes and regulations typically go in EU...
If the carrier has already paid the customs fees & VAT to customs (i.e. government), they can not any more let you handle it by yourself with the customs (in the customs eyes, all is good already, the trouble is now between you and carrier company). If they have already agreed to drop their extra fee for the process (as they should if they didn't ask your permission beforehand), then all you have left to pay is what the government wants (and is also partially regulated by EU directives). Note that the tax/customs is based on the usual value of the product when the declared price is not reasonable (in this case free); again government/EU regulation, not dictated by the carrier company.
It is, AFAIK, quite common for non-EU country companies/organizations to send gifts as "receiver is responsible for any fees, customs, taxes, etc."; the company only wants to send the item, and not send any money or do other paperwork. For example, it is quite common for certain type and level of sport people to refuse their winning items (e.g. cars, not the medals), because even if they are free/gift, the taxes would be higher than what they could afford to pay
(Much better for them to receive just simple money; government can take their tax from that winning money.)
Feeltech might indeed not care. Sort of "we sent you an item for no payment to us, pay the taxes and customs if you want it, or let customs have it, choice is now yours".
For only customs and fees cost, that would be one very cheap device (even if not fully free).