UPS Faces Backlash as Packages Destroyed Amid Tariff Chaos
URGENT UPDATE: UPS is facing increasing scrutiny as reports confirm that some international packages shipped to the US are being destroyed, causing outrage among customers and business owners. This alarming situation has prompted at least one Canadian entrepreneur to switch to FedEx for reliability.
Kunal Sharma, owner of Ontario-based auto parts companies E6 Carbon and E6 Forged, revealed that he has experienced severe shipping disruptions since new US tariffs were implemented. According to Sharma, who ships over $150,000 CAD worth of products to the US each year, these issues have turned his once-thriving business into a logistical nightmare.
Sharma noted that since the changes in US import regulations, many packages have gone missing or faced incorrect tariff charges, leading to unexpected costs for customers. “One of my clients received a shocking $1,000 bill from UPS for tariffs and fees,” Sharma explained. “He was furious, as I never sent him that bill.”
The crisis escalated in August 2023 when new rules required that items valued under $800 go through a formal customs declaration process, disrupting shipping for many businesses. “UPS previously had a good system for customs issues, but now they don’t communicate,” Sharma lamented.
One particular shipment to Alabama, expected to arrive within four days, was inexplicably returned to Sharma a week later, and another package has been missing for over a month, bouncing between locations in Michigan and Tennessee. Tracking information indicated that UPS considered disposing of the lost package until Sharma contacted UPS CEO Carol Tomé, who intervened.
Now, Sharma has transitioned to using FedEx for US shipments. “Although FedEx may be pricier, the risk of packages being lost or returned is significantly lower,” he stated.
Sharma’s experience mirrors a growing trend among international suppliers, many of whom have ceased shipping to the US altogether due to tariff complexities. Some have even slashed prices to help cover the higher shipping costs that now burden US-bound goods.
As the situation develops, it raises critical questions about the future of cross-border trade and its impact on small businesses like Sharma’s. “The current administration seems to favor a self-sufficient economy, but this is hurting small operators who rely on imports,” he remarked.
UPS has not publicly commented on the specific claims but previously stated that more than 90% of packages clear US customs on the first day. However, the ongoing issues have left many customers frustrated and seeking alternatives.
For small business owners, the urgency to adapt has never been greater. With the shipping landscape rapidly changing, companies must navigate these new tariffs and regulations to survive. As Sharma puts it, “I’m just a small fish in a large ocean, but the consequences of these changes are deeply felt.”
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story and its implications for international shipping and tariffs.
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