The United States Postal Service is pursuing a growth-oriented strategy built around expanding its first-mile and last-mile capabilities, according to Supply Chain Dive. Postmaster General David Steiner has emphasized that the agency’s most valuable asset is its ability to reach every U.S. address six or seven days a week. Rather than focusing solely on efficiency cuts, USPS is working to transform this universal service network into a revenue driver. Part of this plan includes negotiating expanded partnerships with major carriers and retailers to handle last-mile deliveries from sorting centers to consumers.
USPS is positioning these final delivery legs not as a cost burden but as a competitive advantage. The organization sees rising demand from retailers for faster, more flexible delivery options including same-day and next-day service, and believes it can fill a critical gap as private carriers become more selective about certain residential routes. This shift signals a broader rethinking of the Postal Service’s role in the e-commerce ecosystem. For businesses, it could mean new fulfillment pathways and greater resilience during peak demand periods.
UPS has begun taking a far more aggressive stance toward unpaid or disputed tariff charges, surprising customers with late fees and even warnings about potential collection-agency involvement, according to Business Insider. The friction stems from the removal of the U.S. de minimis exemption, which previously allowed imports under $800 to enter duty-free. With that policy gone, even small or personal shipments are now subject to full tariff assessments. In several cases, customers have been billed duties far exceeding the value of the goods, often tied to disputed commodity classifications.
Shippers have reported instances where tariff rates of 200% or more were applied after UPS classified components or materials as originating from restricted sources. When customers questioned the charges, late fees were added, and some received written notices indicating that unresolved balances could be escalated to collections. This approach shows that UPS is prioritizing rapid recovery of duties owed to U.S. Customs, regardless of customer disputes or confusion around classification.
For businesses and individuals importing goods, the implications are significant. Even small parcels now carry substantial financial risk if classifications are incorrect or contested. Companies engaged in cross-border shipping should review product codes, verify documentation with suppliers, and prepare for tighter enforcement, higher duties, and more stringent payment timelines.