I've had no issue getting the DHL fees fixed. Just denied the order and disputed.
Of course it's a hassle but it is possible.
If this is true I'm afraid I'll be looking elsewhere from CRC
I did that with an order from Wiggles, they used DHL, I denied the order and was refunded, while I was doing that, I re-ordered using smaller batches instead (still free shipping), and wasn't charged anything via Canada Post.
Bike-Discount ships DHL and hands over to Canada Post and there was no fees.
That was my experience as well. DHL is Deutsche Post, the German national post, they hand off to national postal carriers if the orders is from Germany. Outside of Germany, DHL deals with its own corporate offices in their respective countries of arrival.