- US shoppers said they’ve received higher shipping-related fees after Trump’s new tariffs on Chinese goods went into effect.
- Trump ordered the end of the de minimis exemption, long used by Shein and Temu to avoid import fees.
- However, a follow-up executive order signed by Trump on Friday paused the ending of the de minimis exemption.
President Donald Trump has pressed pause on an earlier executive order to end an exemption used by Chinese e-commerce giants Shein and Temu to avoid import fees.
Meanwhile, some Americans have received messages from companies and shipping firms this week asking them to pay additional fees in order to receive the packages they had previously ordered. Some of the shoppers shared screenshots of the messages and their purchase receipts with Business Insider.
Melissa Covarrubias, a San Diego-based influencer, paid additional fees of over $100 on an order shipped through DHL. Covarrubias told BI the added costs felt like “another way to squeeze more money from everyday consumers.”
President Trump initially signed an executive order on Saturday to implement new tariffs on imported goods from China, Canada, and Mexico and ended the de minimis exemption. However, he later announced the tariffs on Canada and Mexico would be paused for a month, and on Friday issued a temporary pause on the removal of the de minimis exemption through another executive order.
Section 321, also known as de minimis, let importers avoid paying duty and tax on shipments valued under $800 that were headed directly to US customers.
Some US consumers have taken to social media in the last week to share examples of being charged outstanding duty fees on imported orders from China.
Covarrubias said she placed an order with Australian-based athleisure brand Crop Shop Boutique through DHL’s delivery service, which initially cost $305. She paid the original price for her order and was later asked to pay a “duty payment” of $115.91.
“CSB assured customers that they would either cover 50% of the tariffs or provide a gift card for the same amount,” she said. “Since my package had already arrived in San Diego, I paid the full tariff fee of $115.91, and CSB later refunded me half. While I appreciate the partial reimbursement, the high duty fees make me hesitant to shop with them again.”
CSB’s website says that its suppliers and manufacturers are located in China and Turkey, and that its shipments come from its warehouse in Queensland, Australia. A spokesperson for CSB did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“DHL Express has a standardized set of fees and handling charges that apply for the customs clearance process,” a DHL spokesperson said. “These fees are in addition to government taxes and duties. Charges vary by shipment and are listed on our website. Shipments under the de minimis threshold are exempt.”
Cristina Adams, a beauty and lifestyle influencer, said she had a similar experience, waiting on a pair of frames from Lensmart en route from China.
Adams said that after she paid for her order — $14.95 for the frames and an extra $21.95 for expedited shipping — she received an email from DHL requesting a duty payment of $18.82.
“I did end up paying the fee to receive my package, as it was something very necessary,” Adams said. “But I feel like this is unfair, as I already paid an additional fee to receive the package already.”
Adams said the “inconvenience” would make her more conscious of where she’s buying from, going forwards. Covarrubias said she also plans to make changes to her shopping habits.
“Moving forward, I’m going to be more mindful of where I shop,” Covarrubias said. “Malls and local stores often carry the same items at higher prices, and I’d rather not pay a premium for something I can get elsewhere for less.”
Covarrubias said that, in an effort to cut down on spending, she also canceled her Amazon account.
“At the end of the day, we never truly know what’s ahead — whether it’s more economic changes, inflation, or new policies that make it even harder for the average person to afford quality products,” she said.
