THE TRUTH ABOUT INTERNET PURCHASES
Unlike traditional online purchases from U.S.-based retailers such as Amazon.com or Walmart.com, buying from foreign online retailers like TEMU, Shein, Alibaba, or AliExpress comes with an important but often overlooked fact—you become an importer.
Whether you're purchasing a $5 scarf or a $5,000 piece of equipment, any item shipped into the U.S. is considered an importation.
As an importer, you are responsible for complying with all U.S. import laws and regulations, which include, but are not limited to:
Compliance with the laws and regulations of the product you purchased
Provide accurate and complete documentation for importation
Payment of duties, taxes, tariffs, etc... (This responsibility almost always falls on the buyer/importer, not the seller, unless explicitly stated otherwise by the seller.)
Product Safety and Standards
and more...
Actual Case: An individual purchased a $2,000 item from Alibaba, unaware that this item was not only subject to the standard customs duties and China tariff but also additional antidumping and countervailing duties (ADCVD). These duties can sometimes exceed 500% of the item's value.
Ultimately, the total customs duties, tariffs, taxes, and fees amounted to over $16,000, making it impossible for the buyer to proceed with the import.
This unfortunate lack of knowledge about the truth of online purchases highlights the importance of researching import regulations and potential fees before clicking "Buy Now."
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a detailed notice to the public regarding internet purchases, which can be accessed here.
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