Expecting an overseas package from UPS? Some clothes you’ve ordered? Some rare electronics? Maybe even a family heirloom that’s being sent from some distant relatives. Well, don’t expect to receive them anytime soon, as people are realizing to their horror that UPS is destroying packages and there’s nothing you can do about it.
The reason for this is Donald Trump‘s strict new tariffs and import regulations, which stem from the elimination of the “de minimis” exemption, which previously allowed packages valued under $800 to enter without formal duties or paperwork.
Trump’s new rules came into force in early September and have resulted in a massive backlog at UPS’ customs processing hubs, overwhelming the system with required documentation for tariffs, brokerage fees, and compliance checks. There’s simply no way to query all of these items, so UPS is either incinerating or shredding the packages.
Thousands of parcels each day are meeting this miserable fate, and customers are receiving the message: “Your package did not clear customs and has been removed from the UPS network. Per customs guidelines, it has been destroyed.”
What can you do?!
Horrified customers are frantically contacting UPS for confirmation. One customer reported that they’d lost $127,000 worth of matcha tea being imported from Japan, another that priceless antique glassware was now gone, and, perhaps most heartbreaking of all, a Reddit user on r/UPS reported:
Heartbroken 💔
byu/Icy_Caterpillar7246 inUPS
“Completely heartbroken. This was a package from parents who sent personal clothing items and my 90 year old grandfather’s handwritten book.”
It’s even unclear whether those affected can claim compensation. UPS can quibble over whether the package’s destruction qualifies as a “loss” under their policy, the presence of declared value or insurance, and how quickly you act.
UPS policy is that these package destructions are treated the same as lost or undeliverable shipments, meaning you can claim up to the declared value (typically $100 max without extra coverage). Judging by Reddit, the reality is somewhat more variable: some receive refunds for shipping costs or partial value, while others struggle with denials due to incomplete paperwork or policy exclusions.
This is all thanks to Donald Trump and his administration, who had no insight or thought into what would happen to regular Americans when they ditched the “de minimis” exemption. Though, frankly, UPS should also bear some responsibility as they’ve known this was coming for months.
As such, many international companies and individuals are refusing point-blank to ship to the United States. And who can blame them when there’s every chance a package full of irreplaceable items may end up casually tossed into a furnace rather than be delivered.
Published: Oct 13, 2025 09:17 am