When UPS charged me a $684 tariff on $355 of vintage computer parts
a day ago
- The author, based in California, usually buys parts from US sellers but purchased NOS/used computer parts from an EU seller due to scarcity.
- The order totaled €296 (about $355) plus €48.10 shipping, well under the prior de minimis exemption.
- The seller used UPS because the local postal service limited shipments to the US due to tariffs, and correctly classified the items under HTS code 8473.30.
- UPS initially assessed a massive tariff of $711, likely due to misclassification, and demanded a Section 232 steel/aluminum form.
- The author paid the full amount to avoid warehouse storage fees and then appealed via email, noting the correct tariff should be minimal.
- UPS corrected the bill to $51.30 using a different HTS code and a 15% tariff on EU-origin items, and promised a refund of the difference.
- The author criticizes UPS for the initial error, poor customer service, and strategic timing of the bill to pressure payment.
- Advice for others: pay the inflated tariff immediately to avoid storage/return, then appeal; don't agree politically but ensure accuracy.
- The author also notes ongoing issues with UPS refund delays and shares readers' similar experiences with misclassified tariffs.