U.S. Shoppers And Businesses Shocked By High UPS And DHL Import Duty Fees As China Tariffs Kick In

American shoppers and small businesses are feeling the immediate impact of new tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, which removed the long-standing $800 duty-free exemption for low-cost imports from China. A few days after the change was implemented, customers who ordered from websites like Shein, Temu, and I.Am.Gia started receiving unexpected import duty notices from shipping firms, including United Parcel Service UPS and DHL, often totaling nearly as much as the items themselves.

Surprise Fees on Low-Cost Orders

Many shoppers who were used to buying inexpensive clothing and household items from Chinese retailers are now being asked to pay additional duties and handling fees before receiving their packages. Some of these charges range from $20 to over $50, with DHL and UPS requiring payment within days or threatening to return the packages to the sender.

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For instance, Reuters reported that a college student who ordered a $65 top from Australian brand I.Am.Gia was shocked to find a $45 import duty notice from DHL. Her father initially suspected it was a scam before realizing the fees were real. Another shopper was told to pay nearly $40 in additional fees for a $197 Shein order. Many others have shared similar experiences on social media, according to news outlets.

Small Businesses Hit Hard

According to Wired, the tariffs have also created chaos for small businesses that rely on Chinese suppliers or ship products across borders. Leslie Brown, who runs a secondhand clothing business in Canada, said she's stuck with $30,000 worth of inventory she can't move across the U.S. border due to the sudden tariff hike. Similarly, Miguel Schraeder, who sells board game accessories, saw his U.S. customers slapped with unexpected import duties, sometimes exceeding the value of the products themselves.

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Some small business owners have temporarily halted U.S. sales, unable to absorb or pass on the costs to customers. Meanwhile, logistics carriers like DHL Hong Kong and the Hongkong Post have announced they will stop accepting individual packages bound for the U.S. due to the new trade rules, according to media reports.

Shipping Companies Slow to Clarify Policies

Because of the abrupt enforcement of the tariffs, major couriers have been slow to provide clear policies on fees and procedures. The U.S. Postal Service briefly suspended all package deliveries from China and Hong Kong before reversing course. UPS has warned of potential delays and removed its service guarantee for packages coming from China, while FedEx FDX has not made a public statement on new fees or delays.

Some retailers, like Qwertykeys, have paused their shipments altogether, as DHL is now requiring a 50% tariff deposit plus a $21 processing fee per package.

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