UPS is disposing of US-bound packages over customs backlog

Thousands of US-bound packages shipped via UPS are currently stranded at distribution hubs across the country, stalled by a growing backlog linked to new customs requirements implemented under the Trump administration.

The delays have created chaos for both the courier and its customers. As flagged packages pile up in warehouses, UPS confirmed to NBC News that it has begun “disposing of” some shipments that cannot clear customs.

Customers affected by the backlog report waiting for weeks without resolution, often receiving a confusing string of tracking updates that provide little clarity. Many say they are left in the dark about the status of their parcels.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before,” said Matthew Wasserbach, brokerage manager at Express Customs Clearance. “It’s totally unprecedented.”

Wasserbach, whose New York City-based firm assists clients in navigating customs procedures, noted a sharp increase in requests related to UPS shipments. He said the new rules have made the clearance process far more difficult to manage.

NBC News spoke to more than two dozen individuals impacted by the situation. They described a wide variety of delayed or potentially lost shipments — including tea, telescopes, luxury glassware, musical instruments, and other items — some reportedly valued in the tens of thousands of dollars.

The mounting frustration comes as a winter storm sweeps across the US, compounding transportation challenges with snow and freezing rain.

By Sabina Mammadli