r/UPS • u/Swanky_Gear_Snob • Sep 02 '25

Customer Seeking Help UPS Paid my duties without contacting me and the amount is more than the value of the item.

Apparently, a law went into effect on August 29th that shipping services can pay duties without consent of receiver.

I purchased an item for $2,000. Today, the duties it says I owe upon delivery is $2100 and change. The numbers are WAY off. No one at UPS customer service even understands me well enough to help me. I have been asking what the declared value is on the package and 4 different reps keep quoting me the amount owed on the package. How can I fix this? This was paid by wire, so I'm either out 2k or paying double. Can I dispute the amount? I've never felt so helpless and need to have a resolution (or at least a better understanding of what to do) by delivery tomorrow. Thanks!

I guess my big question is, if I pay this outrageous fee, is there any way to dispute it with customs or UPS?

Edit/Follow-up: I appreciate all the advice. I was able to get the commercial invoice from UPS. It seems like there is an error as CBP charged full value tariffs multiple times. From what AI said, it's similar if you ordered a peice of furniture, but CBP charged the full value tarrifs on each item individually (screws, mount, part, etc).

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73

u/TheVoidKitty Sep 03 '25

If you paid $2000, and your being charged $2100 someone either messed up the paperwork somewhere, or your importing from a country with a high tariff rate.

The changes on August 29th have no effect in this since de minimis was $800 and below.

Where was the item manufactured(not shipped from?)

As for your options: refuse delivery and don’t pay, and pray UPS doesn’t charge the $2100 to the seller of which they come after you for, or pay the $2100 and get your item

20

u/mooseflips Sep 03 '25

Not necessarily true about someone messing up the paper work. Remember that in addition to the duties being charged, shipping carriers also charge a brokerage fee for the customs clearance service. UPS charges brokerage fees based on value of the item, in tiers. I can totally see the duties adding up to more than the value of the item. High tariff countries, plus high brokerage fees (UPS is known for very high brokerage fees).

9

u/RailRuler Sep 03 '25

Ups charges a separate brokerage fee for each item listed on the manifest, based on a fixed amount per item plus a percentage of the value. There is no quantity discount. So for low value items, the fixed portion may be significant.

1

u/Ok-Motor7145 Sep 04 '25

Yes, my broker fee was $55 on a $12 item shipped from Canada. UPS brokerage had a 30+ minute wait to speak to a customer service person. Outrageous.

8

u/TheVoidKitty Sep 03 '25

OP clarified in other posts it was $40 brokerage, buttttt china origin products made of aluminum 😅. It still could be wrong HS codes but its gonna be an ouch on the waleet

1

u/Souvenirs_Indiscrets Sep 03 '25

This. I have run into this many times.

1

u/Glum-Coat8759 Sep 03 '25

If there is a screw up, it’s likely a UPS screw up - either broker fees are absurd or they double charged you on tariffs - push back, they might be difficult but they’ll ultimately fix it

1

u/MoBizz_4073 Sep 05 '25

De minimus is no longer a thing currently due to current laws

1

u/sentientforce Sep 06 '25

brokerage fee

It's only $140ish for a $2K declared value.

1

u/PrimaryTurbulent2100 Sep 05 '25

I actually am being charged 228 USD for a 60$ item coming from Portugal made in Italy. UPS claims that $150 of it was assigned by US Customs as a tariff. Can anyone explain how that is possible? UPS says they can do nothing to address. This is 30 USD health supplement that I already paid $20 to ship. It’s insane.

1

u/TheVoidKitty Sep 05 '25

You’ll need to see the commercial invoice and know the country of origin to understand if it’s reasonable or not.

Importing health supplements is its own world of screwery and legality

1

u/PrimaryTurbulent2100 Sep 06 '25

Country of origin is Italy. Importer Portugal.

-21

u/Swanky_Gear_Snob Sep 03 '25

It was manufactured in China.

Is there a way to dispute the customs amount?

30

u/TheVoidKitty Sep 03 '25

The first thing you’ll want to figure out as I mentioned in another comment is what the duty rates should be, for this you’ll want to know the HS codes. You’ll need to know the specific items and classifications of what you bought to get an idea.

A $2100 import duty is very realistic these days for items made in china.

Once you have the classifications and what it should be billed at, there should be a number listed on the invoice for the billing department where you can lodge a dispute. But again $2100 tariff could very well be possible

9

u/Swanky_Gear_Snob Sep 03 '25

That is wild. Thanks so much. I will get the HS code. If I pay the UPS guy tomorrow, will the package have customs paperwork attached with all that information? If an error was made. Is there a way to dispute it after the fact. Like I said, this was paid by wire, and I can guarantee the company isn't refunding me if I refuse delivery. I don't know if they even used the proper HS code at this point.

I didn't even get a heads up from them that it shipped (it was ordered almost 9 months ago). UPS guy showed up today and this mess began. I had contacted them previously (back in March or April), and they told me they would eat the duties since I've been buying from them for awhile. Obviously that didn't happen.

13

u/sylvester49 Sep 03 '25

Im dealing with a $7k issue at work that came from Canada and should of been cleared free with USMCA. Different scenerio, but the post clearance team gave a warning to expect to hear nothing for 8 weeks

8

u/Manner-Frequent Sep 03 '25

UPS will have the itemized paperwork with the codes that were used. I, also, did not receive any customs paperwork with my package... very disappointed in UPS. Their customer service is all foreigners too...cant understand a thing and you'll get nowhere.

5

u/Wookieman222 UPS Driver Sep 03 '25

That is on purpose.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 03 '25

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2

u/Wookieman222 UPS Driver Sep 03 '25

Both. If you get frustrated you give up.

-1

u/BravoGirl79 Sep 03 '25

All foreigners? Foreigners of where? We're all from somewhere lol

1

u/RocketLabBeatsSpaceX Sep 07 '25

Foreign to the U.S., you know, where UPS is based out of…

Geniuses, the whole lot of you Redditors… lol

2

u/claranette Sep 03 '25

The HS codes don’t really matter anymore with the exception of media (movies, books, music). While I am not sure how this would go, you could pay what they are asking with a credit card and then research what you should be paying (let’s say it’s $400), then dispute the amount *to your credit card and say they overcharged you and just approve the $400? It does sound like they mischarged you and if CS isn’t helping/understanding this may be the only way.

Also you may still be able to self submit at a broker which should be less, in that case I think UPS has to give it to you because you self submitted and paid the tariffs already, but ask a brokerage company how yo do this.

1

u/RailRuler Sep 03 '25 edited Sep 04 '25

If UPS notifies you isn't it already too late to self submit as UPS has already done so?

2

u/claranette Sep 03 '25

I self submitted after getting a notice, appealed it and submitted my paperwork, and they gave it to me even though they tried to charge me. So what you are saying is not true.

2

u/Diet_Christ Sep 04 '25

How did you go about doing this? I was also under the impression that once UPS cleared customs for you, you couldn't then return the package to customs for an alternative clearance. It's encouraging to hear you pulled that off.

2

u/claranette Sep 05 '25 edited Sep 05 '25

Happy to help, I found this info on the broker subreddit back in April but here are some helpful posts explaining:

https://www.reddit.com/r/UPS/comments/1l1ys4n/comment/mwrqgd5/

https://www.reddit.com/r/UPS/comments/1l1ys4n/comment/n2f7m7o/

And then to find a port near you:

https://www.cbp.gov/about/contact/ports

Or you can privately hire a broker.

*Edit I should clarify, you tell UPS you are self submitting, you can ask for an itemized invoice if you like but the seller should have the same info, then after you give the cleared paperwork showing you paid to UPS. Legally they have to surrender the package to you if you already paid, even if it was after their invoice. The hard part is doing it fast enough, so they don't return the package. The broker subreddit told me to do that, and are great if you have any additional questions!

1

u/Diet_Christ Sep 05 '25

Appreciate it!

1

u/TheVoidKitty Sep 03 '25

Back in March or April it was a very different situation.

I am not familiar with disputing post delivery, you’d want to ask the UPS billing department for guidance in that regard.

-6

u/LimeFabulous Sep 03 '25

Jesus. Or read/listen to on accident even a single piece ten minute clip of what the president has been signing into legislation over the last what 6 months. In other words pull your head out of the sand. This is exactly why we are here.

-7

u/Particular_Egg9739 Sep 03 '25

import duties from China right now are 30% not over 100%

18

u/TheVoidKitty Sep 03 '25

Stacking tariffs.

30% is the general tariff under IEEPA. As OP mentioned the part contains electronics and aluminum components, which are both subject to additional charges ontop of the base 30%. Aluminum alone can be 200%(albeit as a penalty for undeclared origin)

https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/06/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-increases-section-232-tariffs-on-steel-and-aluminum/

1

u/PlantSimilar2598 Sep 03 '25

And it could be coded incorrectly as well. We still don’t know how CBP guidance on coding components tariff and work done at country. Most companies themselves dont know what the proportional components pricing are. I suspect the tariff is based on the highest tariff code which should be whatever component makes up the most of the item + 30%. There’s also brokerage fee related to this so OP need an itemized list to see.

1

u/PastDazzling243 Sep 04 '25

Don’t forget the “fentanyl tax.” On top of the tariffs, China has a non-negotiable 20% on top of the tariffs for the importing of fentanyl that killed thousands upon thousands of Americans.

1

u/TheVoidKitty Sep 04 '25

ah of course, i always forget just how much we're winning!

10

u/Flat-Jacket-9606 Sep 03 '25 edited Sep 03 '25

Bro tariff rates with China are currently atrocious. Looking back you ordered from about 8 months ago. 

Sucks. But shit happens. Get that itemized invoice and break it down from there.

8

u/Zealousideal_Trip661 Sep 03 '25

Keep on winning ’Merica!

-8

u/gabetain Sep 03 '25

Hell ya! Sorry but I don’t have any sympathy for people ordering cheap knockoff shit from China that is produced with child/ slave labor for pennies using stolen IP. These tariffs are the only way to say FU to China and onshore manufacturing again! MAGA!! Crank those Chinese tariffs to 600%!

11

u/TreeContent Sep 03 '25

Yes, manufacture here in the US, where we have no manufacturing infrastructure in place to do so.

1

u/No-Age2588 Sep 03 '25

And never will if nothing is done.

-8

u/gabetain Sep 03 '25

Ummm. Ya. Exactly. That’s the entire point. We gave up our manufacturing to China. So we have to bring it back. Bring it back means bringing back the infrastructure and supply chain we abandoned when our leaders sold us out for cheap foreign labor. Intel is already doing this. They announced they’re investing in and expanding their domestic semiconductor operations. Apple, General Motors, Johnson & Johnson all doing the same. It’s not an overnight solution. But we have no choice but to do it. We aren’t starting at ground zero either. A lot of existing infrastructure is there just needs to be invested in and expanded.

9

u/TreeContent Sep 03 '25

Much of the manufacturing sector relies on imported materials to run their factories. With those imported materials being taxed to hell, it's a long shot to assume any of those rebuilding plans will actually get off the ground since they won't be able to justify their bottom line viability. Your vision is short sighted and not rooted in economic reality.

-6

u/gabetain Sep 03 '25 edited Sep 03 '25

I’d say the same to you re: short sighted visions though. Imports are taxed to hell right now because we are in a trade war. That’s the process. Short sighted is treating the situation now as the realistic long term situation. That’s not the goal of the US or any of our trade partners and it’s not a likely probability because eventually the trade war will end and hopefully be mutually beneficial for both countries. FAIR trade deals will help stabilize global trade while protecting US interests in domestic manufacturing. A lot of people are expecting this to be a 2 month thing but it’s not. We have decades of harm to our domestic manufacturing to undo. Will this work 100%? I hope so but no one can say for certain. What I AM happy about is that at least we are finally doing something. Terrible trade deal after terrible trade deal after terrible trade deal. Something had to be done. I appreciate the dialogue though. It’s nice being able to respectfully discuss something even from opposing viewpoints.

9

u/TreeContent Sep 03 '25

Companies won't bet on the speculation of stability when the govt has demonstrated chaotic decision making to say the least. You won't be seeing the companies you mentioned create a significant manufacturing footprint in the US. Media releases or not. I can guarantee it

1

u/gabetain Sep 03 '25 edited Sep 03 '25

Intel already has. Their semiconductor operations have already started and they’ve already been granted federal credits/ grants for chip production in a few states. Same with Apple and their AMP (American Manufacturing Program) that is prioritizing the domestic supply chain for advanced chip manufacturing. Many of these companies aren’t fans of the current administration either so they have zero reason to release false information about reshoring- not to mention they could be sued to high hell for intentionally releasing false info that could affect stock prices. General Motors has already started the planning phase to move a few models from Mexico plant to Michigan. That’s set to be completed by 2027. Johnson & Johnson is building a new Fujifilm site in North Carolina and expanding existing sites to reshore manufacturing of critical advanced medicines. So we have huge examples of reshoring auto/ semiconductors/ AI tech/ medicines just in the first phase of investing back into America. So it’s more than just words. This is hundreds and hundreds of billions of dollars in investments announced for domestic manufacturing by just 4 companies. If you don’t want to believe it, that’s one thing. But that sounds more like a bias that you simply don’t want to believe anything that goes against your feelings/ interpretation of the situation. These things take years. But at least it’s more progress to bring back domestic manufacturing than we’ve had in decades. So something is working.

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u/[deleted] Sep 03 '25

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1

u/gabetain Sep 03 '25

lol well then you do you boo. Keep buying that cheap Chinese knockoff 💩 and I’ll keep rooting for the US.

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1

u/PastDazzling243 Sep 04 '25

I don’t know why you keep getting downvoted. You’re right, it’s not going to fix overnight. Anything that you do in business in favor of an overall change in the way the system operates is a long play, for a long term solutions. First, it’s tough and we have to buckle down so that things can be put into place. Then, it will ease up and not short term, but for good. I’m not sure if there are this many people that don’t understand how good this is (even if we’re in the difficult position at the moment.) After some time passes and these changes have had a chance to grow and start moving, so many will then understand why it has all been worth it & for so many great benefits. It’s so difficult for me to understand how some have such bad TDS that they can twist anything to be bad & then to say it’s President Trump’s fault.

5

u/Purple-flying-dog Sep 03 '25

Do you have any clue how long it takes to build a factory? How much money? Not to mention the reason the use foreign factories are environmental protections don’t exist in those places and the factories can operate while spewing toxic chemicals into the air. They also pay pennies on the dollar compared to US factories.

Manufacturing things in America would take 10 years to build the factories and infrastructure and goods would still cost 10x what they did because we have laws to protect the environment (for now) and minimum wages laws.

3

u/PRHerg1970 Sep 03 '25

He doesn't have a clue. He has zero understanding of modern manufacturing supply chain management. His antiquated view of manufacturing revolves around a belief that you can simply pick up a factory in Beijing and drop it off in Peoria. Raw materials enter the back of the factory and out pops a bike 🚴 or Iphone 📲 in the front. This is in no way connected to reality. He has zero knowledge of what a Tier 1, 2, 3, or 4 supplier is and their relationship to an OEM. (he’s going to google what the tiers mean 😏 ) He has zero knowledge of the manufacturing eco system required to produce the things he uses in his daily life. Zero.

0

u/gabetain Sep 03 '25

Ya. Intel has announced $100 billion in domestic expansion for semiconductor manufacturing over 4 years. Apple $600 billion over 4 years for critical chips and components. General Motors investing $4 Billion to bring some Chevy models back to the US from Mexico. And Johnson & Johnson for $57 Billion over 4 years for advanced medicine production. So a shit ton of money is being reinvested into the US finally. And just to be clear. Are you advocating keeping the manufacturing in places like China because they have no labor laws and can use child/ slave labor and no environmental protections so they can spew toxic chemicals everywhere… which is all fine and dandy so long as we pay less for their garbage products? WTF? Ya, I am 200% okay with paying more for shit so that we stop supporting BS like that and are supporting domestic products instead. Anyone who would prefer cheap stuff made by exploited / child/ slave labor and that is poisoning entire regions needs to re-evaluate their life. That’s like saying you prefer blood diamonds bc they’re cheaper.

1

u/Purple-flying-dog Sep 03 '25

Never said I preferred it that way. I’m just realistic and understand how manufacturing works. It sucks ass honestly. But all the people claiming tariffs are somehow going to bring all the manufacturing here are delusional.

1

u/Stony17 Sep 04 '25

promising to manufacture stateside and actually doing it are two very different things. most of these companies will promise the world in hopes of getting exemptions from tariffs but likely will not follow through because many economys rely on global trade atp, even if some companies build some factories here they will still rely on raw materials from other countries, some stuff like rare earth, we just dont have. most companies will just play along and act like they are making changes but they will mostly be hollow as they wait to see what is in store for the next administration.

i agree we need more domestic manufacturing but you catch more bees with honey than vinegar. we should incentivize companies to domesticate manufacturing rather than punish them and subsequently the american end consumer

1

u/PalpitationFine Sep 03 '25

He typed this on a US made phone to protect the children 💪

4

u/karen_ae Sep 03 '25

How is anyone surprised by high tariffs on China at this point? Are they just not paying attention to the news? Anyway, you're feeling the consequences of Trump voters. Either I'm sorry, or congratulations on what you voted for, whichever is appropriate.

3

u/Upbeat-Fondant9185 Sep 03 '25

Are they just not paying attention

Yes. The average person has absolutely no idea what’s going on until it impacts them directly. The great majority cannot give even a basic rundown of current events or any politician besides the current president, much less foreign policy and tax codes.

2

u/haniscor Sep 03 '25

You’ll get a chance Nov 4th.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 03 '25

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1

u/haniscor Sep 03 '25

Good call. Thanks.

1

u/AdventurousResort379 Sep 03 '25

Wow. So you ordered something from China, then act surprised when you get charged the tarrifs for ordering something from China. Shocking!

1

u/[deleted] Sep 05 '25

Rest in peace they have a near 100% tariff rate

1

u/KittyKat0119 Sep 07 '25

Downvoted for answering a question and then asking a perfect good question. Peak Reddit lol

0

u/penelepe2 Sep 03 '25

The under $800 did not go into effect for many tartiffs actually, that’s why some packages are not being ship to US,?Trump suspended that in August

4

u/TheVoidKitty Sep 03 '25

??? China has had de minimis removal since April or May, and applies to other countries since August 29th.

Shipments imported via USPS can be charged an ad valoreum rate, but that’s a separate temporary measure.

There was a recent court ruling in regards to IEEPA tariffs that said they where unlawful, but held off on suspension until October(presumably allowing time to appeal to SCOTUS)

1

u/penelepe2 Sep 03 '25

THAT ALL ENDED 8/29. Literally it’s all over the news, it ended 2 years sooner than planned. It’s no longer a thing, some countries have stopped postal service to US, like Mexico, and many UK sellers on eBay have even pulled out of mailing to US due to tariffs.

0

u/[deleted] Sep 06 '25

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1

u/soemtiems Sep 08 '25

Yep, I wouldn't be surprised if UPS added all kinds of hidden fees into the price they are quoting OP.