Watch Out: Hidden Tariff Charges Could Hit Your Next Online Order

Online shopping has opened up a world of convenience for consumers to discover and buy products at great prices. While many of these products are shipped into the US from global suppliers, the costs and speed of international delivery have often made buying from foreign companies as easy as buying American.

However, with the recent introduction of tariffs on goods from most international markets, more shoppers are getting surprise import duty charges on goods they have purchased online. The impact of tariffs on consumers is growing, leading many consumers to ask: Will I be hit with unexpected tariff charges? 

Key Insights

• According to the Washington Post, US consumers are increasingly hit with unexpected additional costs when buying goods online because they don’t understand how tariffs are calculated.
• Tariffs are imposed on imported products based on the country of manufacture and not just the location of the retailer from which they are ordered. 
• With the removal of the “de minimis” rule, which previously allowed goods under $800 to be imported duty-free, even small international shipments are hit by tariffs. 

Why You May Face Unexpected Tariff Charges

While many consumers are aware that tariffs are applied to products purchased from overseas, they may not know how these fees impact their individual purchases. Because of this, we’re seeing an increasing number of reviews on PissedConsumer concerned about these additional costs. 

In Temu review #6608351, a customer shared their frustration:

I get the tariff taxes but no warning. My order was 40.00 got billed for 92.00 no warning nothing I would have cancelled my order. I was very disappointed. 

There are several reasons why consumers might find themselves hit with unexpected tariff charges. These include:

Lack of awareness about international shipping rules

Tariffs are added to the cost of goods imported into the US based on their country of origin and not necessarily just where they are shipped from. This means that even products purchased from familiar retail brands can be impacted by tariffs depending on their manufacturing origin, resulting in some price shocks when goods arrive at consumers' homes. 

One customer posted a TikTok video where they shared a significant tariff on a $58 sweater vest. The vest was ordered from a company in the UK, which would have resulted in a 10% tariff, and the customer was happy with it. However, because the garment was originally manufactured in China, it pushed the cost up to just under £200.

Misleading or unclear information from sellers

Some online sellers will absorb the cost of tariffs. Others will be 100% transparent about how they pass the cost onto their customers. However, not all sellers will be upfront about the impact of tariffs on the price of their goods. When sellers present misleading or unclear information, consumers often don’t discover it until they’re hit by UPS tariff charges on their packages. 

The level of confusion and customer dissatisfaction caused by unforeseen tariffs can be seen in several online reviews on PissedConsumer, including this recent review of American Tall, which, despite its name, is a Canadian-based business.

I am returning the pink tank top and sweatpants. I refused and declined the UPS delivery because of an additional COD fee of $62.25. I expect a full refund back to that credit card without any discounts. The UPS delivery man said it was because of tariffs I dont know where your products are coming from and Im not paying $62 for a $33 Top and pants…

To avoid these types of consumer issues, shoppers should always check the country of origin and shipping before ordering goods.

Changes in trade policies or import taxes

Consumers need to be aware of recent changes to US trade policies previously covered by the "de minimis" package. This means that goods under the value of $800, which previously avoided tax on imports, will now have tariffs imposed. According to this recent CNN news story, the cost of the cheapest goods imported into the US from countries like China will now see significant price increases due to this policy.

Items shipped from third-party sellers or drop-shippers 

It's not always immediately apparent where a product is coming from. This is often the case when buying goods promoted by social media influencers who typically "sell" goods from third-party sellers or drop-shippers. This practice is also widely used across online marketplaces. To avoid those unexpected eBay or Amazon tariffs, you should always check the product's origin to avoid any unexpected charges. 

Can You Get a Refund for Tariffs and Import Duty?

There's no easy answer to this. The most common reaction to unexpected charges is to abandon an item or make a return. However, this can have consequences. Refusing a package due to tariffs doesn't always remove financial responsibility. For example, if the package is delivered by USPS and is unopened, it can be marked as refused and returned at no cost. However, while private carriers like UPS and FedEx may return an item if import duties are unpaid, this could trigger return shipping fees or other charges for the consumer. Therefore, before refusing a package, it's always wise to contact the seller first and understand the implications. 

How to Avoid Surprise Tariff Charges in the Future

There are several strategies consumers can deploy to avoid surprise tariffs in the future. These all require a little research before hitting the "buy now" button, but will ultimately save you unexpected fees when your packages arrive.

• Check the country of origin: Before purchasing, check whether the item ships from within the US or internationally. Products shipped from overseas locations will be more likely to incur tariffs and customs duties.
• Buy from retailers that offer Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) at checkout: Buy from online retailers or marketplaces that offer Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) shipping. This means all duties and taxes are calculated and paid upfront at checkout, meaning there are no surprises upon delivery.
• Read the retailer’s shipping and returns policy: Review the seller’s international shipping terms to see if customs fees are included and understand who is responsible if additional fees are charged at the border.
• Follow the latest consumer news and reviews on PissedConsumer: Stay abreast of the latest consumer trends to avoid falling foul of unwanted tariffs.

You can also use online calculators like SimplyDuty or BorderBuddy to learn how tariffs impact consumers.

Have you received an unexpected tariff on international shipping when shopping online? Why not write a review and share your experience with the PissedConsumer community?