I got hit with $71 in fees from UPS. They claim they had to comply with 2 agencies: The EPA and the FDA. Why? INK! One item had about a dozen vintage ballpoint pens. There was absolutely no risk of environment contamination or issue with food/drug safety. The breakdown:
I mean, I can tolerate the other fees (all completley unnecessary). But the EPA and FDA being roped in somehow? I think UPS must have some kind of “silent handshake” with the US government.
In any case, when your package goes through an international carrier outside of UPS, FedEx, and DHL, and it’s relayed directly to USPS for local delivery, somehow those other customs procedures aren’t triggered. I’ve had ballpoint pens sent without any problem at all. It was UPS that was the real culprit.