Tariff charging is getting worse

[offtheback]

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/01/business/tariffs-customs-retail-shopping.html?unlocked_article_code=1.5k8.YDEq.5pgouY-3rvDd&smid=url-share

 

[mavic3usa]

Good article but I think it leaves out a couple of options. For whatever reason, seems many packages are imported just fine with no customs fees or tariffs at al regardless if it's right or wrong. Kinda sucks that some people are getting hit so hard.

And then there are packages where the fees are unnecessarily collected, I think the article hinted at that. I am almost positive some of the common carriers are [over] charging customs and keeping that money in essence taking advantage of some people. I bet we have a scandal uncovered in the future, there's just too much money and no process or accountability in the system for this to be on the up and up. Kinda like covid loans, it's just a bad bad idea and there's bound to be some fraud.

Either way, Costco is fed up and if SCOTUS won't make the call, perhaps the lower courts will:

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/01/costco-sues-trump-tariffs-trade-supreme-court.html

 

[dmiles119]

That "article" is nowhere near what my actual experience was, but that's hardly surprising given the source.

I purchased a Mavic 4 Pro from a Korean seller on eBay. A tad less than $2K, and it arrived in 2 days. This seller had the usual alerts about additional fees, but the drone arrived way faster than I would have ever imagined, with no additional fees needing to be paid prior to delivery.

A couple weeks later I got a bill from FedEx for $80. I happily paid it, and am beyond satisfied. Politics aside, companies are not going to make the huge investments needed to manufacture things in the US unless or until the playing field is brought somewhere near level. It's just that simple.

 

[offtheback]

That "article" is nowhere near what my actual experience was, but that's hardly surprising given the source.

I purchased a Mavic 4 Pro from a Korean seller on eBay. A tad less than $2K, and it arrived in 2 days. This seller had the usual alerts about additional fees, but the drone arrived way faster than I would have ever imagined, with no additional fees needing to be paid prior to delivery.

A couple weeks later I got a bill from FedEx for $80. I happily paid it, and am beyond satisfied. Politics aside, companies are not going to make the huge investments needed to manufacture things in the US unless or until the playing field is brought somewhere near level. It's just that simple.

The source?What sources do you trust?Do you feel that your 1 experience is indicative of the big picture?

 

[MARK (LI)]

That "article" is nowhere near what my actual experience was, but that's hardly surprising given the source.

I purchased a Mavic 4 Pro from a Korean seller on eBay. A tad less than $2K, and it arrived in 2 days. This seller had the usual alerts about additional fees, but the drone arrived way faster than I would have ever imagined, with no additional fees needing to be paid prior to delivery.

A couple weeks later I got a bill from FedEx for $80. I happily paid it, and am beyond satisfied. Politics aside, companies are not going to make the huge investments needed to manufacture things in the US unless or until the playing field is brought somewhere near level. It's just that simple.

What was the 80 bucks for?

 

[wco81]

$2000 just for the drone?

What if you want extra batteries and props?

 

[offtheback]

$2000 just for the drone?

What if you want extra batteries and props?

About the price Korean sellers are charging for drone body only.

 

[AMann]

What was the 80 bucks for?

For the taxes without representation - oh, I meant “tariffs”, US consumers weren’t supposed to have to pay…

I got a similar bill for a camera and some electronics I recently purchased.

 

[anotherlab]

For the taxes without representation - oh, I meant “tariffs”...

The first part is not accurate. The president was elected, and he always said he was going to impose tariffs.

...US consumers weren’t supposed to have to pay…

There was no way consumers were going to avoid paying the costs of tariffs

 

[AMann]

The first part is not accurate. The president was elected, and he always said he was going to impose tariffs.


There was no way consumers were going to avoid paying the costs of tariffs

Congress is supposed to impose taxes, which are funds the government collects to pay for services it provides. The “tariffs”, which someone outright said consumers wouldn’t be paying, are being used in the general fund the same way, so they are really becoming the same thing… just saying.

An unexpected result of all this is what is happening in the drone supply chain and with other types of companies who are starting to refuse doing business with the U.S. I just found out that my favorite and one of the best metal detector accessories company based in Australia is no longer selling to US customers, and others are following suit. There is no alternative to their market in the U.S., nor can there be as the parts they use are proprietary to specific types of metal detectors also made In Australia.

As for drones- for my next update I was considering Autel or DJI as I want to get a RTK enabled mapping drone. But the only truly terrain following ones are DJI’s, a bit over my pay grade but also a concern due to DJI not offering extended warranty service to us anymore , so I’m considering an Ardupilot system instead. I’ve seen some with basic terrain following using Lidar and altimeters too- pretty cool stuff and there are lots of alternatives not affected by tariffs (yet).

 

[MS Coast]

There was no way consumers were going to avoid paying the costs of tariffs

The problem is that the President stated plainly and repeatedly (and falsely) that other nations paid the tariffs and brags about the amount that has been collected from China.

 

[offtheback]

The problem is that the President stated plainly and repeatedly (and falsely) that other nations paid the tariffs and brags about the amount that has been collected from China.

U.S. hits $38 trillion in debt, after the fastest accumulation of $1 trillion outside of the pandemic.Seems like they are reverse tariffs.​

 

[dmiles119]

About the price Korean sellers are charging for drone body only.

It was a regular kit, drone, RC2 controller, one battery, etc.

 

[dmiles119]

The source?What sources do you trust?Do you feel that your 1 experience is indicative of the big picture?

I certainly would never trust any publication that has endorsed one party's candidate for the past 16 Presidential elections, be it Democrat, Republican or Independent. I look at facts, and think for myself.

This piece was obviously written by someone out to stir the hysteria over tariffs. The NYT and most other media are are hell bent on doing as much damage to the current President as they can because their grossly incompetent candidate lost.

So yes, my one true experience is a much better indication of what someone reading this forum is likely to experience should they buy a drone on eBay as I did, over someone with a computer and a different agenda.

 

[dmiles119]

What was the 80 bucks for?

It was from FedEx, it was an authentic email from FedEx because I called them to verify. It was for "taxes, duties and fees".

The M4Pro is great. Battery life is unreal.

 

[MARK (LI)]

It was from FedEx, it was an authentic email from FedEx because I called them to verify. It was for "taxes, duties and fees".

The M4Pro is great. Battery life is unreal.

That "article" is nowhere near what my actual experience was, but that's hardly surprising given the source.

I purchased a Mavic 4 Pro from a Korean seller on eBay. A tad less than $2K, and it arrived in 2 days. This seller had the usual alerts about additional fees, but the drone arrived way faster than I would have ever imagined, with no additional fees needing to be paid prior to delivery.

A couple weeks later I got a bill from FedEx for $80. I happily paid it, and am beyond satisfied. Politics aside, companies are not going to make the huge investments needed to manufacture things in the US unless or until the playing field is brought somewhere near level. It's just that simple.

How was her experience"nowhere what my actual experience was" ?...you both had to pay the tariff...hers was n a fancy coat...yours was for a drone....no?

 

[offtheback]

I certainly would never trust any publication that has endorsed one party's candidate for the past 16 Presidential elections, be it Democrat, Republican or Independent. I look at facts, and think for myself.

This piece was obviously written by someone out to stir the hysteria over tariffs. The NYT and most other media are are hell bent on doing as much damage to the current President as they can because their grossly incompetent candidate lost.

So yes, my one true experience is a much better indication of what someone reading this forum is likely to experience should they buy a drone on eBay as I did, over someone with a computer and a different agenda.

Often the truth is hard to digest.

 

[dmiles119]

Often the truth is hard to digest.

The truth is easy. A bucket of BS not so much.

 

[MS Coast]

The truth is easy. A bucket of BS not so much.

Well, then. May I suggest you put cats and dogs on your menu instead. The tariff guy says it's a common thing in Ohio.

 

[dmiles119]

Getting pretty far off in the weeds here.

Your headline:
“Tariff charging is getting worse”
Chicken Little:
“The sky is falling”
Neither of you have any proof

That piece you posted says some lady had to pay fees that were much higher than I paid relative to the purchase price before her goods would be delivered. As another user has already said, for all we know, she may have actually gotten ripped off. We have no way of knowing what actually happened.

I received my drone in 2 days, which is faster than Amazon in many cases. I didn’t have to pay the $80 dues taxes and fees until weeks later delivery. That actually happened, and I’m just trying to let others know.

If that article is scaring you out of buying a drone then you shouldn’t buy it.