Consumers Call Out Amazon Over Tariff Transparency

Transparency matters, especially when it comes to pricing. So when Amazon hit the headlines for reportedly considering highlighting the impact of Trump’s tariffs on some of its imported products, we took notice.

Let’s rewind.

Earlier this year, on April 2, 2025, President Trump’s administration announced a new wave of tariffs with a baseline of 10%. This strategy, aimed at reducing the US trade deficit and protecting American industries, has been a key part of the current administration's economic policy. 

As Amazon relies heavily on imported goods to stock its virtual shelves, the cost of these tariffs, nearly always passed on to the consumer, becomes very apparent on its marketplace. Prices may go up. Deals may become harder to find. And sometimes, products disappear. The problem for Amazon is that if they don't highlight the additional costs of the tariffs, it looks like they are raising prices. 

Knowing that savvy consumers have always turned to online shopping to find the best deals, we turned to the reviews posted by our community. They help understand what consumers think about how big online retailers communicate about how tariffs impact consumers.

Key Insights

• Tariffs are paid by the importer, not the exporter, and can lead to price increases on imported products and raw materials.
• Many products sold on Amazon have seen an average price increase of 29% since April 9, 2025.
• US tariffs on Chinese goods were reduced to 30% (from a high of 125% on most Chinese imports) for a period of 90 days on May 12, 2025.

Will Amazon Display Tariffs?

The question “When will Amazon display tariffs?” has largely been put to bed. According to The Washington Post, while the issue of how tariffs will affect Amazon customers was discussed, the proposed plan to display tariff information on the Amazon Haul service was never approved and will not happen. This move was applauded by President Trump, who praised Amazon founder Jeff Bezos for doing "the right thing." But is it?

Is Amazon Doing “The Right Thing?”

While many consumers now understand how tariffs affect prices, it's important to remember that opinions vary about how American businesses should manage them. These opinions come from across the political landscape, reflecting the diversity of our consumer base. 

Should Amazon Treat Tariffs Just Like Sales Tax?

We turned to the reviews on PissedConsumer to see what real shoppers think.

“As seen in numerous reports, consumers are frustrated by hidden costs at checkout, often tied to tariffs that aren't clearly disclosed,” says Michael Podolsky, co-founder and CEO of PissedConsumer.com. “When platforms like Amazon fail to break down tariff charges alongside other fees, it undermines trust and leaves shoppers confused about what they’re actually paying for.”

Many shoppers highlight how Amazon should be able to treat tariffs like any other tax imposed on sales. This can be seen in review #6592338, which highlights how tariffs impact consumers and suggests that Amazon should do more to stand up for the consumer:

Have the guts to do the right thing and show how much your costs will increase per tariffs… You shouldn’t be forced to take the blame because someone else does something to make your prices go up. Just like sales tax, you would tell us if some kind of distribution issue caused prices to go up.

Some reviewers take a more political stance. For example, this review #6593651 suggests that Amazon is overstepping its remit as an online retailer and taking an anti-American stance when considering implementing Amazon tariffs on its product pages.

Go ahead and display information about the tariffs from your Chinese friends. I have been with Amazon for many years… But when you clearly do left-wing crap such as displaying Chinese tariff information, clearly an anti-American step, it's over the line. I have already canceled my Prime…

In review #6593119, a user pointed out that Amazon’s competitors, like Temu, are showing import fees on their product pages, noting that if they can do it, why can’t Amazon:

I’m seriously considering not using Amazon for any more purchases… It’s only fair to show how much tariffs are costing those of us who use Amazon. TEMU shows customers the import fee. They are not scared… Bezos needs to stand up for the American consumer...

Other Amazon reviews also indicate frustration about the lack of transparency. For these shoppers, transparency isn’t just about numbers. It’s about trust. They understood that Amazon might not control the tariffs, but believed the platform should at least explain the price hikes.

Should Amazon Be More Transparent About Tariffs?

One thing is clear: tariffs are no longer a behind-the-scenes trade policy. They’re shaping your shopping cart. And how companies like Amazon respond to them is becoming a matter of consumer trust.

What do you think about how tariffs affect consumers like you? How should companies like Amazon deal with consumer issues related to them? Your opinion matters. Why not add your voice to the latest consumer news and write a review?