The Trump administration’s abrupt changes to U.S. import regulations have triggered widespread chaos in the shipping industry, leaving customers like Nicole Lobo and Janani Mohan in distress. Nicole, a 28-year-old graduate student, shipped 10 boxes of her belongings from the UK to Philadelphia in late August, expecting them to arrive within days. Six weeks later, she fears her possessions may be lost or destroyed by UPS, which is struggling to handle a surge in packages under new customs and tariff rules. ‘It’s been horrific,’ she says, recounting frantic efforts to prevent the disposal of her items after receiving a notification last month. Similarly, Janani, a 29-year-old engineer, is devastated by the potential loss of a box containing her wedding dress, an heirloom sari, and wedding photos sent by her parents in India. ‘Everything in there is very close to my heart,’ she says, describing tearful phone calls with UPS. The new rules, implemented in late August, require parcels worth less than $800 to undergo inspections, taxes, or tariffs, subjecting an estimated 4 million packages daily to more rigorous processing. This has led to longer processing times, higher costs, and widespread confusion. Businesses like Mizuba Tea Co. and Swedish Candy Land are also feeling the impact. Mizuba, which imports matcha from Japan, has five shipments worth over $100,000 stuck in processing, while Swedish Candy Land has lost $50,000 due to destroyed packages. Experts warn the ripple effects could worsen, with FedEx executives describing it as a ‘very stressful period’ for customers. The National Foreign Trade Council fears the issues may persist, as companies struggle to adapt to the new trade environment.