Ordered Part, received bill from FedEx for CBP 2 months later

Huevos450R wrote:

This is incorrect. Trump's IEPA tariffs were deemed illegal by the Supreme Court. What this item is falling under is Section 232, which is a national...

This is incorrect. Trump's IEPA tariffs were deemed illegal by the Supreme Court. What this item is falling under is Section 232, which is a national security order that Trump has in place.

If your goods are covered by a Section 232 order, the tariff applies from dollar one, regardless of the shipment's value.. 

 

Huevos450R wrote:

This is incorrect. Trump's IEPA tariffs were deemed illegal by the Supreme Court. What this item is falling under is Section 232, which is a national...

This is incorrect. Trump's IEPA tariffs were deemed illegal by the Supreme Court. What this item is falling under is Section 232, which is a national security order that Trump has in place.

If your goods are covered by a Section 232 order, the tariff applies from dollar one, regardless of the shipment's value.. 

 

Tokyo_Tiddler wrote:

Hey guys, these are NOT tariffs, the trump tariffs were deemed illegal by the Supreme Court and most have been put on hold. However, few people...

Hey guys, these are NOT tariffs, the trump tariffs were deemed illegal by the Supreme Court and most have been put on hold. However, few people know that in further screwing US consumers over, in addition the tariffs, the trump administration changed other customs rules that really pick our pockets. The rule they got rid of was the "De Minimis Exemption" rule put in place in 1938.  Previously, small imported items with a value of less than $800 did not face a customs valuation and went straight to your doorstep w/o additional fees. Trump removed that very sensible De Minimis Exemption rule and anything with a value of one cent or more faces customs valuations (even though there are no tariffs as they have been deemed illegal) and involve paperwork for which the shipping companies can charge us exorbitant brokerage fees.  I recently bought a $2 decal from the UK and a month later, Fed-ex sent a bill for me to pay $65 in brokerage fees! An $80 item I bought from Italy, UPS demanded I pay $55 in brokerage fees before they would deliver and said they would send it back to Italy if I didn't pay.  If the tariffs were still in place, we would be getting hit with that charge too.  They are really f'ing us over, and it makes no sense for the benefit of the citizens or country as a whole, but some people literally voted for this.

I know this post is going to hurt some people's feelings.

Huevos450R wrote:

This is incorrect. Trump's IEPA tariffs were deemed illegal by the Supreme Court. What this item is falling under is Section 232, which is a national...

This is incorrect. Trump's IEPA tariffs were deemed illegal by the Supreme Court. What this item is falling under is Section 232, which is a national security order that Trump has in place.

If your goods are covered by a Section 232 order, the tariff applies from dollar one, regardless of the shipment's value.. 

 

Tokyo_Tiddler wrote:

It is absolutely not incorrect and you just repeated most of what I said above and then made a conclusion that is ludicrously false.  Section 232...

It is absolutely not incorrect and you just repeated most of what I said above and then made a conclusion that is ludicrously false.  Section 232 is the tariffs on steel, aluminum, copper and patented pharmaceuticals put in place by trump in 2026, that I mentioned above. Most of us talking in this thread are not importing raw steel or copper, we are talking small motorcycle parts, with the exception of the Luxon post as he was probably importing aluminum stock. But if you think that my $2 stickers from the UK were a matter of national security and felt so strongly that you had to post about it, then that is quite a wacky response.  With the exception of the Luxon post, what most of us are being affected by is the abolishment of the 1938 De Minimis Exception rule which now causes every item, regardless of value, to have to undergo customs valuation review and processing and thus the brokerage fees being charged by the shipping companies.

RDnutz wrote:

the di minimis shipping loophole had been abused for years by sellers in China flooding eBay and other sites with cheap goods in the Speedpak envelopes...

the di minimis shipping loophole had been abused for years by sellers in China flooding eBay and other sites with cheap goods in the Speedpak envelopes. That is why it was targeted I believe. Commerce has changed radically since 1938 with the internet and online global marketplaces. Maybe they should have revamped it instead, but it is what it is...

Tokyo_Tiddler wrote:

There are tariffs, duties and fees that used to exempt on lower value items.  All of trumps new tariff's from the 2025 Emergency Economic Powers Act...

There are tariffs, duties and fees that used to exempt on lower value items.  All of trumps new tariff's from the 2025 Emergency Economic Powers Act have stopped. However, additional tariffs trump created in 2026 on steel, aluminum, copper and patented pharmaceuticals are still in effect. These tariffs are as high as 100%! Nevertheless, trump did other things related to trade that are still in effect and hurting US consumers like I mentioned with the De Minimis Exception rule.  Most of us little guys in the US never paid an extra dime on small items we bought overseas. I never did once in my entire life until now and I am an old man. 

What is med/ heavy PTS?

Timo wrote:

25% Tariff: Applies to imports of Class 3 through Class 8 medium- and heavy-duty trucks and specific parts, including engines, transmissions, tires, and chassis.Effective November 1...

25% Tariff: Applies to imports of Class 3 through Class 8 medium- and heavy-duty trucks and specific parts, including engines, transmissions, tires, and chassis.

Effective November 1, 2025, the United States imposed new Section 232 tariffs on imported Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (MHDVs), associated parts (MHDVPs), and buses. These duties, designed to address national security concerns regarding import dependency, are in addition to any other existing taxes or fees.

Tokyo_Tiddler wrote:

At the same time Cash Patel purchased that fleet of BMW SUVs from overseas!  I thought all government vehicles were supposed to be from domestic companies...

At the same time Cash Patel purchased that fleet of BMW SUVs from overseas!  I thought all government vehicles were supposed to be from domestic companies. The hypocrisy never ceases to amaze us.

CaptainOblivious wrote:

Buy your parts from USA dealers. The tariffs have already been paid by the distributor (at wholesale prices), it ends up being cheaper for the consumer...

Buy your parts from USA dealers. The tariffs have already been paid by the distributor (at wholesale prices), it ends up being cheaper for the consumer, and you’re supporting American small businesses.

If it looks like the parts are cheaper to buy abroad, this is why. It’s an illusion.

CaptainOblivious wrote:

Buy your parts from USA dealers. The tariffs have already been paid by the distributor (at wholesale prices), it ends up being cheaper for the consumer...

Buy your parts from USA dealers. The tariffs have already been paid by the distributor (at wholesale prices), it ends up being cheaper for the consumer, and you’re supporting American small businesses.

If it looks like the parts are cheaper to buy abroad, this is why. It’s an illusion.

nadeauracing229 wrote:

It’s not made in America moron… read the whole post before regurgitating faux news 

kage173 wrote:

Take the pegs down to a competent machine shop and have 100 sets made. Start selling them. You have a baked in competitive advantage. 

soggy wrote:

We’ve gone full circle and now people are advocating stealing IP like they hate on China for doing. 

RDnutz wrote:

the di minimis shipping loophole had been abused for years by sellers in China flooding eBay and other sites with cheap goods in the Speedpak envelopes...

the di minimis shipping loophole had been abused for years by sellers in China flooding eBay and other sites with cheap goods in the Speedpak envelopes. That is why it was targeted I believe. Commerce has changed radically since 1938 with the internet and online global marketplaces. Maybe they should have revamped it instead, but it is what it is...

Robgvx wrote:

The de minimis exclusion was surely based on the premise that it costs more to process and collect tariffs on small value items than the tariff...

The de minimis exclusion was surely based on the premise that it costs more to process and collect tariffs on small value items than the tariff is actually worth?  Collecting tariffs on a $2 import is ridiculous. 

kage173 wrote:

Take the pegs down to a competent machine shop and have 100 sets made. Start selling them. You have a baked in competitive advantage. 

soggy wrote:

We’ve gone full circle and now people are advocating stealing IP like they hate on China for doing. 

kage173 wrote:

Are they patented? Is there trade secret in the manufacturing process? Are they made from a proprietary compound formulated by aliens? What IP is being stolen?Admit...

Are they patented? Is there trade secret in the manufacturing process? Are they made from a proprietary compound formulated by aliens? What IP is being stolen?

Admit that you don't know. 

Robgvx wrote:

The de minimis exclusion was surely based on the premise that it costs more to process and collect tariffs on small value items than the tariff...

The de minimis exclusion was surely based on the premise that it costs more to process and collect tariffs on small value items than the tariff is actually worth?  Collecting tariffs on a $2 import is ridiculous. 

Tokyo_Tiddler wrote:

Hey guys, these are NOT tariffs, the trump tariffs were deemed illegal by the Supreme Court and most have been put on hold. However, few people...

Hey guys, these are NOT tariffs, the trump tariffs were deemed illegal by the Supreme Court and most have been put on hold. However, few people know that in further screwing US consumers over, in addition the tariffs, the trump administration changed other customs rules that really pick our pockets. The rule they got rid of was the "De Minimis Exemption" rule put in place in 1938.  Previously, small imported items with a value of less than $800 did not face a customs valuation and went straight to your doorstep w/o additional fees. Trump removed that very sensible De Minimis Exemption rule and anything with a value of one cent or more faces customs valuations (even though there are no tariffs as they have been deemed illegal) and involve paperwork for which the shipping companies can charge us exorbitant brokerage fees.  I recently bought a $2 decal from the UK and a month later, Fed-ex sent a bill for me to pay $65 in brokerage fees! An $80 item I bought from Italy, UPS demanded I pay $55 in brokerage fees before they would deliver and said they would send it back to Italy if I didn't pay.  If the tariffs were still in place, we would be getting hit with that charge too.  They are really f'ing us over, and it makes no sense for the benefit of the citizens or country as a whole, but some people literally voted for this.

I know this post is going to hurt some people's feelings.

Timo wrote:

These are indeed tariffs, 15% for EU, 25% for med/heavy PTS (this is the one I'm contesting), and a $15 disbursement fee.

Tokyo_Tiddler wrote:

Hey guys, these are NOT tariffs, the trump tariffs were deemed illegal by the Supreme Court and most have been put on hold. However, few people...

Hey guys, these are NOT tariffs, the trump tariffs were deemed illegal by the Supreme Court and most have been put on hold. However, few people know that in further screwing US consumers over, in addition the tariffs, the trump administration changed other customs rules that really pick our pockets. The rule they got rid of was the "De Minimis Exemption" rule put in place in 1938.  Previously, small imported items with a value of less than $800 did not face a customs valuation and went straight to your doorstep w/o additional fees. Trump removed that very sensible De Minimis Exemption rule and anything with a value of one cent or more faces customs valuations (even though there are no tariffs as they have been deemed illegal) and involve paperwork for which the shipping companies can charge us exorbitant brokerage fees.  I recently bought a $2 decal from the UK and a month later, Fed-ex sent a bill for me to pay $65 in brokerage fees! An $80 item I bought from Italy, UPS demanded I pay $55 in brokerage fees before they would deliver and said they would send it back to Italy if I didn't pay.  If the tariffs were still in place, we would be getting hit with that charge too.  They are really f'ing us over, and it makes no sense for the benefit of the citizens or country as a whole, but some people literally voted for this.

I know this post is going to hurt some people's feelings.

Timo wrote:

These are indeed tariffs, 15% for EU, 25% for med/heavy PTS (this is the one I'm contesting), and a $15 disbursement fee.

Tokyo_Tiddler wrote:

There are tariffs, duties and fees that used to exempt on lower value items.  All of trumps new tariff's from the 2025 Emergency Economic Powers Act...

There are tariffs, duties and fees that used to exempt on lower value items.  All of trumps new tariff's from the 2025 Emergency Economic Powers Act have stopped. However, additional tariffs trump created in 2026 on steel, aluminum, copper and patented pharmaceuticals are still in effect. These tariffs are as high as 100%! Nevertheless, trump did other things related to trade that are still in effect and hurting US consumers like I mentioned with the De Minimis Exception rule.  Most of us little guys in the US never paid an extra dime on small items we bought overseas. I never did once in my entire life until now and I am an old man. 

What is med/ heavy PTS?

eeazye wrote:

I’m sure like most of us, I was surprised when a tariff bill showed up over a month after ordering graphics from a European company. It...

I’m sure like most of us, I was surprised when a tariff bill showed up over a month after ordering graphics from a European company. It wasn’t the amount, it was the unexpectedness of it weeks later. 

I looked up the info fedex was sending because honestly it felt like a scam. They only showed a picture of the package as it was left on the porch, no information about what it was for. After confirming it was legit i paid it, thankfully wasn’t too much. But I think that’s the part that didn’t sit well, it was a really long time before the bill showed up. But, I’m sure there’s lots of red tape. I can’t even imagine what a pita is it for fedex and whomever else. 

And, unfortunately while this is a great company to do business with, when I’m ready for graphics again i will go shopping stateside to avoid this mess. Guess the the theory is working…

yak651 wrote:

So honest question. You already have the goods, what happens if you don’t pay it? They take them back? Put a lien against your home? 

Huevos450R wrote:

This is incorrect. Trump's IEPA tariffs were deemed illegal by the Supreme Court. What this item is falling under is Section 232, which is a national...

This is incorrect. Trump's IEPA tariffs were deemed illegal by the Supreme Court. What this item is falling under is Section 232, which is a national security order that Trump has in place.

If your goods are covered by a Section 232 order, the tariff applies from dollar one, regardless of the shipment's value.. 

 

Robgvx wrote:

Dirt bike passenger foot pegs a national security issue. Who knew?

Tokyo_Tiddler wrote:

It is absolutely not incorrect and you just repeated most of what I said above and then made a conclusion that is ludicrously false.  Section 232...

It is absolutely not incorrect and you just repeated most of what I said above and then made a conclusion that is ludicrously false.  Section 232 is the tariffs on steel, aluminum, copper and patented pharmaceuticals put in place by trump in 2026, that I mentioned above. Most of us talking in this thread are not importing raw steel or copper, we are talking small motorcycle parts, with the exception of the Luxon post as he was probably importing aluminum stock. But if you think that my $2 stickers from the UK were a matter of national security and felt so strongly that you had to post about it, then that is quite a wacky response.  With the exception of the Luxon post, what most of us are being affected by is the abolishment of the 1938 De Minimis Exception rule which now causes every item, regardless of value, to have to undergo customs valuation review and processing and thus the brokerage fees being charged by the shipping companies.

Luxon MX wrote:

Nearly all of our raw materials are made in the USA, so we haven't paid any direct tariffs on that. All those US made material prices...

Nearly all of our raw materials are made in the USA, so we haven't paid any direct tariffs on that. All those US made material prices jumped significantly as a result of tariffs, but no direct tariffs on them. 

All of the tariffs we've been charged for are for finished goods like bearings, seals, bolts, tooling, etc. Most of those are primarily made of steel or aluminum, so we get hit with the steel/aluminum tariff on top of the other tariffs. They're also a "national security concern", of course, so we get that tariff too. Plus some others, usually. We certainly wouldn't want to empower our enemies by purchasing KTM steering bearings, now would we?

FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc. are really backlogged on billing and are still billing for the now deemed illegal tariffs as they had to pay for them and need to pass on the charges. If (and that's a big if) those tariffs are refunded, then FedEx, etc. will supposedly refund the tariffs to those who paid. I doubt that will ever happen. 

The de minimis change is annoying as it's overwhelmed customs with lots of small value items that they now have to deal with. It may make generate more tariff income, but I'd bet that income is lost and then some in administrative costs of dealing with it in the first place. 

There are new tariffs to replace the illegal tariffs, and at the end of the day, a tariff is a tariff is a tax on all of us Americans. And we pay for it in the end. 

eeazye wrote:

I’m sure like most of us, I was surprised when a tariff bill showed up over a month after ordering graphics from a European company. It...

I’m sure like most of us, I was surprised when a tariff bill showed up over a month after ordering graphics from a European company. It wasn’t the amount, it was the unexpectedness of it weeks later. 

I looked up the info fedex was sending because honestly it felt like a scam. They only showed a picture of the package as it was left on the porch, no information about what it was for. After confirming it was legit i paid it, thankfully wasn’t too much. But I think that’s the part that didn’t sit well, it was a really long time before the bill showed up. But, I’m sure there’s lots of red tape. I can’t even imagine what a pita is it for fedex and whomever else. 

And, unfortunately while this is a great company to do business with, when I’m ready for graphics again i will go shopping stateside to avoid this mess. Guess the the theory is working…

yak651 wrote:

So honest question. You already have the goods, what happens if you don’t pay it? They take them back? Put a lien against your home? 

Jkawi wrote:

They will send it to collections and it will go against your borrowing ability. 

yak651 wrote:

So honest question. You already have the goods, what happens if you don’t pay it? They take them back? Put a lien against your home? 

Jkawi wrote:

They will send it to collections and it will go against your borrowing ability. 

Johnny Ringo wrote:

Did they send it via certified mail? Can’t prove I received it

lumpy790 wrote:

Received this email from a parts supplier today. Plastics Market Update | April 15, 2026 We’ve been in this business for over 60 years, and we’ve...

Received this email from a parts supplier today.

 

Plastics Market Update | April 15, 2026

 

We’ve been in this business for over 60 years, and we’ve never seen this level of sustained uncertainty in the resin market.

 

The Reality

Prices are rising, and the market is moving too quickly to anchor to a single number. What we can say is that, while conditions can change quickly, there are currently no clear signals pointing to near-term price relief, and most industry participants continue to indicate upward pressure in the market.

 

What's Driving it?

The disruption in the Strait of Hormuz removed an estimated 15–20 million barrels per day from the global market in late February. While a ceasefire is in place, infrastructure damage across the region continues to limit supply. Available production is being prioritized toward fuel, leaving plastics feedstock constrained. Even as conditions improve, the backlog will take time to work through.

Current market movement

• Polyethylene (LDPE & HDPE): up $0.25–$0.40/lb since early March, with an additional $0.10/lb expected in May
• Polypropylene: March contracts settled up $0.10/lb; spot pricing currently around $0.60/lb
• Major producers including Dow, ExxonMobil, LyondellBasell, Formosa, and Nova have all implemented increases

 

What this means for your pricing

We are seeing 20–30% increases from most suppliers, with additional increases being announced regularly, before factoring in freight and fuel impacts.

 

 

😱

RDnutz wrote:

yes. I try order from eBay as much as possible because they require seller to display warning if tariff/customs charges will be due upon receipt. I...

yes. I try order from eBay as much as possible because they require seller to display warning if tariff/customs charges will be due upon receipt. I learned the hard way: ordered a set of JIS Impact bits for $10.00 from a seller in Japan to save 50c over another seller with same item in Utah. Japan seller had 2000 positive feedback so trusted it. When bits arrived it was ins some sketchy "Japan post airmail" (basically a business letter envelope with cardboard to protect part). My mail carrier was a little embarrassed to deliver and came to my door showing the postage due because the letter didn't meet criteria for Air mail because it wouldn't go through automated sorting machine. Extra $ due was $18.00! so I refused delivery. 

Tokyo_Tiddler wrote:

There are tariffs, duties and fees that used to exempt on lower value items.  All of trumps new tariff's from the 2025 Emergency Economic Powers Act...

There are tariffs, duties and fees that used to exempt on lower value items.  All of trumps new tariff's from the 2025 Emergency Economic Powers Act have stopped. However, additional tariffs trump created in 2026 on steel, aluminum, copper and patented pharmaceuticals are still in effect. These tariffs are as high as 100%! Nevertheless, trump did other things related to trade that are still in effect and hurting US consumers like I mentioned with the De Minimis Exception rule.  Most of us little guys in the US never paid an extra dime on small items we bought overseas. I never did once in my entire life until now and I am an old man. 

What is med/ heavy PTS?

Timo wrote:

25% Tariff: Applies to imports of Class 3 through Class 8 medium- and heavy-duty trucks and specific parts, including engines, transmissions, tires, and chassis.Effective November 1...

25% Tariff: Applies to imports of Class 3 through Class 8 medium- and heavy-duty trucks and specific parts, including engines, transmissions, tires, and chassis.

Effective November 1, 2025, the United States imposed new Section 232 tariffs on imported Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (MHDVs), associated parts (MHDVPs), and buses. These duties, designed to address national security concerns regarding import dependency, are in addition to any other existing taxes or fees.

Tokyo_Tiddler wrote:

At the same time Cash Patel purchased that fleet of BMW SUVs from overseas!  I thought all government vehicles were supposed to be from domestic companies...

At the same time Cash Patel purchased that fleet of BMW SUVs from overseas!  I thought all government vehicles were supposed to be from domestic companies. The hypocrisy never ceases to amaze us.