Tariff Sticker Shock Looms for Some US Consumers

President Donald Trump’s trade war has already begun to make itself felt across the broader US economy, with inflation beginning to edge up again. But many consumers may soon get a more direct version of sticker shock.

That’s because parcels entering the country will now be assessed duties based on the country-of-origin tariff rate Trump imposed (perhaps illegally) using emergency powers. Alternatively, packages shipped via international post could be assessed with a temporary flat fee of $80 to $200 per item, but only for the next six months.