UPS Reportedly“Disposing” of Some Packages Trapped by Customs Issues

Parcel delivery giant UPS is reportedly“disposing” of some packages that have been unable to clear U.S. customs following regulatory changes this summer.

The End of the "De Minimis” Exemption

In late August, President Donald Trump's administration ended what was known as the“de minimis” exemption — a longstanding policy that allowed packages valued at $800 or less to enter the U.S. duty-free.The change imposed a new range of tariffs and fees on more than 1 billion packages per year — and has rippled throughout international shipping networks.

Customs Problems

UPS officials told NBC News that thousands of packages shipped to addresses in the U.S. have been flagged for various customs issues and, in turn, remain trapped at UPS facilities.The volume of those packages, the report indicated, prompted the company to begin“disposing of” some of them. The company did not respond to a question from the network about the manner of disposal.

Confusion for Customers

The issues have forced customers to wait weeks for their packages. Customers told NBC that some contained items with deep sentimental value, while others held products worth thousands of dollars.The company's delivery tracking updates, meanwhile, reportedly provided conflicting reports and sowed even more confusion.

UPS Says It Makes Repeated Attempts to Clear Packages

UPS told NBC that over 90% of its packages that head through customs are cleared within the first day. The company said that it makes repeated attempts to contact shippers and obtain missing information for the less than 10% of deliveries that are delayed in customs.

Image credit: Julia Sudnitskaya/Shutterstock

Find Thomasnet Suppliers and Services

Material Handling Equipment

Labels

Conveyor Systems