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Americans are discovering the actual expense of import duties– and for many, it is reaching their doorstep.

An increasing number of customers state they are being hit with surprise charges on regular shopping from other countries, required to pay additional fees in order to get items they believed were already fully paid for.

In certain instances, delivery drivers are declining to deliver packages until the charges are paid, transforming a simple delivery into a conflict at the entrance.

The matter has come to public attention following a widely shared video depicting a UPS employee informing an astonished customer that she needed to settle a customs fee prior to receiving her package.

Jocelyn Elizabeth, who manages aTikTok accountdocumenting the experience of being a working mother to five children, she was informed that she would need to pay $63.01 to receive packages containing art pieces she had ordered from Germany.

In shock, she remarked in the video: ‘So it’s tariffs? I thought Donald Trump had them [China] cover the cost, not us.’

The delivery person from UPS acknowledged he wasn’t certain about the reason for the charge, but believed it might be connected to customs duties. He mentioned that he has faced similar circumstances on several occasions.

“Some individuals cover the cost, while others claim they don’t need it and return it,” he said to Jocelyn.

The video, posted across various sites, has received tens of thousands of likes and sparked a heated discussion on who ultimately bears the cost when tariffs are applied.

Several commenters mentioned they had faced comparable accusations following purchases from abroad.

A Reddit user commented: “I actually encountered this a few weeks back with a tiny Xbox controller from France. I had to write a $27 check for the electronic import tax.”

The driver was very kind throughout the situation – he wasn’t particularly happy about being the one to deliver the news – but he remained calm.

Another mentioned an even higher charge: “I just went through this. I imported a gear shift knob from Taiwan… and was charged a $105 duty by DHL.”

Others involved in shipping and logistics mentioned that the problem is becoming more frequent – and it’s increasingly annoying for employees at the frontline.

“I work as a UPS delivery person. These packages have been the biggest hassle in my life lately,” a Redditor shared.

Numerous carriers fail to inform customers about additional charges, and it’s extremely challenging to inform someone who believes they’ve already covered the costs that they still owe more. We are unable to take any action since the U.S. federal government mandates that we collect this amount at the time of delivery.

The driver mentioned that customers frequently are unable to pay with credit cards immediately, and instead usually need to use cash, checks, or money orders — although in some cases, fees can be settled online through UPS’s billing center.

Another logistics employee recounted a comparable situation: ‘I am involved in international logistics and assist individuals with shipments and duties. They often seem to view it as entirely my responsibility… I can relate to their frustration, but it’s not enjoyable for me.’

The situation is now unfolding throughout the nation.

As of August 29, 2025, the United States ceased the ‘$800 de minimis’ exception, which had previously enabled most low-value international packages to enter without duties.

Consequently, almost every international order is now liable to charges, taxes, and additional costs – irrespective of the amount.

If the retailer does not collect these expenses in advance, they are passed on to the buyer during checkout or when the item arrives.

This has essentially made couriers such as UPS and FedEx unwilling collectors of payments, with drivers required to ask for money from bewildered customers.

The change is also transforming the logistics sector.

UPS has stated that it is already experiencing the effects of increased tariffs and the closure of the de minimis exception.

Following the policy adjustment, expenses increased significantly for budget-friendly retailers like Temu and Shein, which handle over a million shipments across the globe daily.

Temu announced last yearthat it had stopped all deliveries into the United States from China and would only offer items available in American storage facilities.

For American customers, products not already available in those storage facilities were marked as ‘out of stock.’

At the same time, the company started actively seeking out merchants based in the US to provide goods within the country.

Both companies have also subsequently focused on expanding internationally.

Carol Spieckerman, an independent retail analyst, said to the Daily Mail: ‘Charges for paying upon delivery linked to tariffs and the removal of the de minimis exemption are causing a public relations crisis and damaging customer loyalty.’

In this scenario, delivery companies are bearing the main criticism. This doesn’t mean they aren’t essential for delivery companies that have to handle the administrative load or manage country-specific additional charges.

It’s definitely a wake-up call for consumers who are accustomed to just placing orders and receiving items without considering where the products truly come from. Should the tariffs and related charges persist, shoppers are expected to become more mindful of the actual origins of the goods they purchase.

In the meantime, shipping companies would benefit from offering instruction on effectively communicating the circumstances and available choices for customers.

The mix of increased tariffs and a change in how businesses transport goods has led to fewer packages passing through UPS’s network, with the company actively deciding not to manage certain portions of this business.

UPS has also experienced significant reorganization, and during a January earnings call, it announced its intention to eliminate approximately 30,000 operational positions in 2026.

The reductions occur as divisions persist and grow within the US job market.

New government figures revealed that the economy shed 173,000 jobs in October — the worst monthly result since the start of the pandemic — whereas December saw only 50,000 new positions created.

As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States created roughly 584,000 jobs in 2025, marking the slowest period for job growth outside of a recession since 2003.

It presents a bleak setting as corporate America indicates that automation, trade barriers, and continuous financial strains are unlikely to subside.

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