The Insanity of Importing Anything into America Right Now
On the 10th of September I bought a bracelet online direct-to-consumer from a Swedish company. I had no idea what I was signing up for. I knew about the new tariffs on foreign goods but I assumed I was already paying that in the cost of the products, which is true when you're buying from something like Walmart, Amazon, or a company that otherwise handles the importing for you. But when you buy direct to consumer, the hassle of importing falls on you.
I first noticed a problem while tracking my product, that it was behind: held up in customs multiple times and for longer than I've ever seen before.
Here is the log all the way up to today. They're in ascending order so you can read from the bottom if you want.
The delivery date will be provided as soon as possible.
09/29/2025 7:30 A.M. On the Way
Your package is pending release from a Government Agency. Once they release it, your package will be on its way. Louisville, KY, United States
09/28/2025 12:10 P.M. Your package is pending release by a Government Agency. Once released, it will be on its way. Check back for updates.
09/28/2025 12:10 P.M. Your package is prepared for clearance.
09/26/2025 11:24 P.M. Import Scan Louisville, KY, United States
09/26/2025 10:23 P.M. Warehouse Scan Louisville, KY, United States
09/26/2025 2:17 P.M. Your package has been released by the government agency.
09/26/2025 2:17 P.M. Your package has been released by the government agency.
09/26/2025 2:17 P.M. Package is pending release from a Government Agency. We'll notify the receiver or sender if information is needed.
09/26/2025 12:56 P.M. Your package has been released by the government agency.
09/26/2025 12:56 P.M. Your package is pending release by a Government Agency. Once released, it will be on its way. Check back for updates.
09/25/2025 4:05 P.M. Your pkg has been delayed due to missing clearance information. We are attempting to obtain information from the shipper / Your package is on the way
09/25/2025 4:05 P.M. ...preparing your package for clearance. We will notify you if additional information is needed.
09/24/2025 10:57 P.M. Warehouse Scan Louisville, KY, United States
09/23/2025 11:40 P.M. Warehouse Scan Louisville, KY, United States
09/22/2025 10:34 P.M. Warehouse Scan Louisville, KY, United States
09/19/2025 11:24 P.M. Warehouse Scan Louisville, KY, United States
09/19/2025 11:23 A.M. Your pkg has been delayed due to missing clearance information. We are attempting to obtain information from the shipper Philadelphia, PA, United States
09/19/2025 11:23 A.M. ... has received the information needed to submit your package for clearance.
09/18/2025 10:39 P.M. Warehouse Scan Louisville, KY, United States
09/17/2025 10:25 P.M. Warehouse Scan Louisville, KY, United States
09/16/2025 10:42 P.M. Warehouse Scan Louisville, KY, United States
09/13/2025 9:38 A.M. ... has received the information needed to submit your package for clearance.
09/13/2025 9:38 A.M. ... initiated contact with receiver or importer for clearance information. Once received, ... will submit for clearance.
09/13/2025 7:30 A.M. Your delivery will be rescheduled. Louisville, KY, United States
09/13/2025 2:01 A.M. ... is contacting the receiver or sender for required clearance details. Receiver or sender to respond with information.
Philadelphia, PA, United States
09/13/2025 2:01 A.M. Your package has been released by the government agency.
09/13/2025 1:35 A.M. Warehouse Scan Louisville, KY, United States
09/13/2025 1:07 A.M. Your package is pending release by a Government Agency. Once released, it will be on its way. Check back for updates.
09/12/2025 10:01 P.M. Arrived at Facility Louisville, KY, United States
09/12/2025 9:15 P.M. Departed from Facility Koeln, Germany
09/12/2025 12:59 A.M. Arrived at Facility Koeln, Germany
09/11/2025 11:29 P.M. Departed from Facility Malmo Sturup, Sweden
09/11/2025 10:30 P.M. Arrived at Facility Malmo Sturup, Sweden
09/11/2025 6:33 P.M. Departed from Facility Jonkoping, Sweden
09/11/2025 4:29 P.M. Export Scan Jonkoping, Sweden
09/11/2025 7:39 A.M. The package is at the clearing agency awaiting final release.
09/11/2025 12:53 P.M. Your package is on the way
09/10/2025 9:32 P.M. We Have Your Package Arrived at Facility Jonkoping, Sweden
Everything stops making sense as soon as the package gets into America. I'm told that it's an intense backlog of customs work created by removal of something they call de minimus, which was a rule that let you skip all this thorough import procedure for a small enough package.
The supplier told me that they are handling the cost of the tariff and that I already paid it in the price for the item, but I'm skeptical. I won't really believe it until the product gets here and I don't get a bill of brokerage fees from customs.
All this to say, if you're in America, really think about this before making a purchase even if the supplier assures you that there is no worries for US customers. If you're alright with waiting a long time, because that's guaranteed, then make sure to look into brokerage fees and calculating the cost to import, and make sure that you are prepared to handle this yourself before purchasing. The supplier can deal with it for you but ultimately if they fail to do so, the government will come wanting their money from you. And how much is that money going to be? You need to do a good amount of research to figure that out.
All that to say, I don't know why the current administration thought this was good or that people who end up dealing with this will not dislike that administration more because of it. I do like the idea of not being reliant on China economically as well but at least spend some of this money that is being taxed on consumers and that was supposedly saved cutting government expenses to fund getting manufacturing industries started.
I guess there is a chance that they will pop up on their own after consumers avoid putting themselves in this situation as much as possible, but I'm not convinced. Whether you like it or not: avoiding purchases direct-to-consumer from foreign companies as much as you can is the only reasonable thing you can do until this process becomes more sane.