Donald Trump’s ongoing implementation of aggressive tariff rates on imports continues to impact U.S. consumers significantly, revealing hidden costs associated with international purchases. A recent case illustrates the unexpected fees that tariffs can impose. These back-end costs can add hundreds–even thousands–to the price of a container of goods purchased from abroad.
In June, Dave Yeske, certified financial planner and Ebayer extraordinaire, purchased a side table from a Mexico-based seller. He saw the process up close and personal through an online marketplace for antiques. Originally, he thought he would be paying $1,980 total for the table. When it finally did deliver, UPS required him to pay approximately $585 in U.S. Customs and Border Protection fees. This fee would be per one of the two boxes that held the unassembled table. This sudden surge in demand caused an additional charge of about $1,170. As a result, the purchase cost increased dramatically.
Yeske knew that his experience with UPS had “all of the hallmarks of legitimacy. The initial request originated from a delivery driver that he frequently noticed dropping off meals at his apartment building. In his testimony he said, “We understand that tariffs are in all cases passed through to prices. This case was the most obvious case that you could ever imagine.
Her experience is unfortunately the new normal for U.S. shoppers attempting to order goods online. Flexport’s vice president of customs, Bernie Hart, recently gave a good example of how tariff levies ruin the online ordering experience. He stressed how these impacts really come down to where a product is produced. It’s only if you order internationally, and you don’t know that when you’re on a site,” he added.
Consumers who purchase goods from a U.S. warehouse or distribution center usually face less hardship. They often conduct very little in the way of import-related duties, taxes, or fees. Yet people making direct purchases from overseas sellers are too frequently caught off guard by significant fees added unexpectedly when their packages reach their doors.
After Trump rolled out his first round of tariffs, American consumers started getting some very shocking bills. These asks originated from freight-rail companies subsequent to their purchases. With this new environment, experts warn that there has been an explosion of scams that ask for legitimate payments through fake tariff notices. These scams often appear as “tariff payment request” texts or emails purportedly sent by retailers, delivery companies, or government agencies.
Hart emphasized the importance of vigilance in such situations: “Start with a suspicious state of mind.” It’s up to consumers to scrutinize any requests for tariff payments. They can accomplish this by cross-referencing Form 7501, an official government document that outlines imports and aids in affirming the legitimacy of the charges laid forth.
Yeske’s recent experience can be a lesson for consumers considering international purchases. He stated that taking time to understand and verify such requests is crucial: “Taking a beat, taking a breath to figure this out is not going to be a problem.” He suggested that the consumer should be able to decline delivery when they see the charge and recognize that it is valid. Otherwise, they’ll just pay it less or evade it entirely.
UPS spokespersons were at pains to explain that assessed fees are set by the U.S. government—not the carrier. This declaration shines a light on the importance of national policy in determining precisely how these tariffs adversely affect consumers—right at the register.
In today’s climate of rising costs and economic uncertainty, Hart noted that businesses feel compelled to pass on expenses to consumers: “In today’s world, the dollar amount is too big to not pass it on or to not look for recovery.” Tariffs affect consumers directly, so what these tariffs mean is important for those involved with international commerce.