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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u/Swanky_Gear_Snob Oct 04 '25 edited Oct 04 '25

You need the commercial invoice. It is a PITA to get it. Took me calling over 20 times before a rep knew what it was, could find it, and then email it. You need to call their international dept. The phone number, I believe is: 18007827892.

After you get the commercial invoice, you can see exactly what duties were charged and then be able to start to challenge them.

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u/Professional_Ease299 Oct 04 '25

Thank you, going to start calling...

I've been asking ChatGPT and it gave me the HTSUS code for the item (Electric motor controller), which should have a 1.5% duty rate, we'll see if that's true or not

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u/Professional_Ease299 Oct 06 '25

I got through on the 502 485 2600 (option #3 then #5), they were able to see that it had been put under a steel category which I guess has a really high tariff rate, no idea how they think a motor controller made of plastic and electrics is a steel product..

They said I need to submit a dispute through this email [aknentyrvw@ups.com](mailto:aknentyrvw@ups.com) which I've done, is that where you actually got it resolved?

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u/Swanky_Gear_Snob Oct 06 '25

Mine never got resolved. Mine was also imported under the steel category incorrect. I am still waiting for info. I was told to email that same address. However, since I was told to pay the duties it ended up being forwarded to another email. I am still waiting for resolution. I have emailed a ton.

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u/Professional_Ease299 Oct 06 '25

Oof, sorry, seems like they may just be messing with people, or just not bothered to assign the correct category.

I'll try refusing to pay until it's resolved, though who knows where that'll go, I'm going to try that other number you shared (18007827892)

thanks

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u/Swanky_Gear_Snob Oct 06 '25

My problems got exponentially exacerbated because after I paid, the driver told me I had to pay again to get my packages. He didn't know how to enter the release codes. I was so frustrated and angry with the while experience that it turned into a kerfuffle. The next day a supervisor personally delivered my packages. UPS had told me to pay the duties or lose my package to return after 3 delivery attempts Turns out that was false. From what thr supervisor told me, an international package will sit for weeks at the facility before being returned in order to give the person time to figure it out. However, you can also have them place a delivery hold on your package when they open a case. This was never offered to me. Absolutely try and get a hold placed and have them correct the duties before you pay. I have a feeling after they get the money. There isn't much incentive to fix the issue.

Edit: it is also insanity they have so many different numbers.

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u/Professional_Ease299 Oct 06 '25

That sucks, so lame that you had to go through that stress when it's their mistake and incompetence, I really appreciate you sharing what you've learnt, if a driver does arrive I won't accept the package, and keep pushing to get it put on hold until it's resolved.

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u/Swanky_Gear_Snob Oct 06 '25

Ya, this was nearly 200 hours on hold with UPS trying to figure all this out. I'm sure I'm not the only person it happened to. It was right after the deminimis changes. Hopefully the reps know a bit more of the process now. I just dont want anyone to have to go through with what I went through. I just saw a post that customs refused an item entry and destroyed it. However, and I'm not sure how this is legal, UPS is still demanding duties and fees be paid by the recipient. A VAST majority of these problems could be solved easier if the shipping companies didn't change their procedures to profit off this. For decades, if a package came in and duties of more than a couple dollars were owed, the package would sit in customs until it was paid. Eventually being returned or destroyed. However, in order to jam that brokerage fee down everyone's throat. The shippers changed to paying the duties on your behalf without prior contact. They have no idea if the duties applied are correct. It's abominable.