UPS customers say they're being charged the wrong tariff rates and can't get answers from the shipping service

"Some UPS customers say the shipping service is applying the wrong tariff to US-bound shipments. In some cases, the customers said UPS sent them bills that tariff their shipments at up to 200% - the US duty rate for aluminum from Russia, and one of the highest tariffs that American customs officials can charge. The problem: The customers said their shipments don't contain that metal, and getting a hold of someone at UPS to contest the charge is laborious, if possible at all."

"the facilities manager at SoCal Swords, said his company ordered a pair of high-carbon steel recreational swords from an artisan in Canada. About a week later, SoCal Swords got a bill for a $2,074 tariff on a shipment worth $1,098. Dickinson found that UPS categorized the Canadian steel swords as eight pounds of bulk aluminum from Russia. In an email shared with Business Insider, the supplier who made the swords said they had shipped the recreational swords using a code for outdoor sporting equipment."

"Business Insider spoke to four UPS customers who are dealing with tariff bills that are higher than they were expecting. On Reddit, users in a UPS channel also posted bills that suggested UPS charged the Russian aluminum rate for a variety of goods. The tariff mix-ups are another element of an apparent logistical snarl affecting UPS shipments bound for the US."

Some customers received bills applying the Russian aluminum 200% duty to shipments that do not contain aluminum. Multiple customers and online posts show similar misclassifications and unexpectedly high tariff charges. Misclassifications are contributing to a broader logistical snarl that has delayed shipments and led to packages being marked for destruction after extended holds at UPS facilities. Customers report significant difficulty reaching UPS to contest charges. One company received a $2,074 tariff on a $1,098 shipment after steel swords were categorized as bulk aluminum from Russia. A UPS spokesperson said UPS uses customer-supplied information to calculate duties under CBP and other agency regulations.

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