Boston Grandmother Shocked by $802 Tariff on $22 Barbie Doll

A Boston grandmother recently faced an unexpected financial burden after ordering a Barbie doll from Canada for her granddaughter. Bonnie O’Connell was left stunned when she received a customs charge of $802 for the $22 doll, which she purchased as a Christmas gift.

O’Connell, who lives in Boston, wanted to surprise her four-year-old granddaughter with a Barbie dressed in a Professional Women’s Hockey League jersey. The doll was only available in Canada, prompting O’Connell to enlist her cousin in Nova Scotia to buy the doll and ship it to her via FedEx.

The delivery went smoothly, but O’Connell soon received an astonishing tariff bill. “I just got a pain in the pit of my stomach,” she recalled in an interview with Boston’s WCVB. “I didn’t even know what to do or what to say.”

Clerical Error Leads to Massive Tariff

The exorbitant charge resulted from a clerical error during the shipping process. According to O’Connell, a FedEx employee in Canada mistakenly declared the value of the Barbie doll as nearly $2,200 instead of the actual price of $22. O’Connell’s cousin inadvertently signed the shipping paperwork without noticing the error.

This misclassification collided with the U.S. President Donald Trump administration’s recent tariff changes, which imposed a 35% duty on goods entering the United States. “What are you doing giving me a package where I owe that kind of money to you?” O’Connell expressed, bewildered by the unexpected financial burden.

While the tariff charge was ultimately reversed, the situation caused O’Connell considerable stress. “I love my granddaughter dearly,” she stated, “but none of my grandchildren get that kind of money spent. The budget for Christmas isn’t even close.”

Impact of New Tariff Policies

This incident underscores the ramifications of the Trump administration’s revised tariff regulations. Previously, items valued under $800 could enter the U.S. duty-free, but that exemption has been eliminated. Now, all imported goods are subject to tariffs and additional paperwork, as reported by NPR.

The case of O’Connell highlights the complexities that arise from these new rules, particularly during the holiday shopping season. As consumers navigate international purchases, the potential for unexpected fees can create a significant deterrent.

As of now, FedEx has not responded to inquiries regarding the incident. O’Connell’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for shoppers considering cross-border purchases, reminding them to remain vigilant about shipping documentation and potential costs associated with tariffs.