UPS may dispose of packages that can’t clear US customs regulations

UPS may begin “dumping” imported packages if packages can’t clear U.S. customs regulations, the shipping giant told FOX Business on Friday.

The company said the rapid shift in import rules and documentation requirements in light of ongoing trade disputes has made it difficult for employees and consumers to navigate the customs process.

When a shipment cannot be cleared due to missing information or incomplete paperwork, the company has implemented new procedures to handle stuck packages at UPS centers across the country.

“In cases where we are unable to obtain the information necessary to clear the package, there are two options,” UPS spokeswoman Natasha Amadi told FOX Business on Friday. “First, the package may be returned to the original carrier at their expense. Second, if the customer does not respond and the package cannot be cleared for delivery, disposal of the shipment is consistent with US Customs regulations.”

UPS cuts 20,000 jobs due to decline in Amazon shipments

UPS added that the company makes every effort to “expedite each package’s arrival at its destination, while adhering to federal customs regulations.” Amadi said that about 90% of packages that arrive on the first day of entry are cleared.

“We made more than three calls per package and helped clarify the gaps between the information provided and what was requested,” Amadi said.

“To continue to serve all of our customers and move shipments across our network efficiently, we make multiple attempts to obtain the information necessary to clear and deliver delayed shipments.”

White House worries US ‘too close’ to trade deals with Asian partners as Trump reaches 100 days in office

A UPS delivery employee carries a loaded hand truck onto a sidewalk in Manhattan, New York City. (Lindsay Nicholson/UCG/Universal Image Group/Getty Images)

According to the company, the recent wave of rule changes has led to an uptick in packages stuck at UPS centers across the country.

“UPS delivers millions of packages on time around the world every day,” Amadi said. “Due to changes in US import regulations, we are seeing many packages unable to clear customs due to missing or incomplete information about the shipment required to clear customs.”

She added that UPS continues to “work to close the understanding gap associated with the new requirements” and remains committed to customer service despite regulatory challenges.

A UPS Boeing 767 taxis at San Diego International Airport on August 15, 2025, in San Diego, California. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images)

Get FOX Business on the go by clicking here

New import rules imposed by the Trump administration—such as documentation requirements requiring detailed descriptions of goods and the suspension of duty-free exemptions for low-value shipments—have dramatically slowed customs clearance.

This shift means that many packages that used to enter the United States without customs duties or complex paperwork may require full declarations, leading to increased delays, additional costs and an increasing number of packages stuck in clearing centers.