"Tariffs Just Got Real": Americans Are Sharing Their Tariff Receipts, And These Are Brutal

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"Tariffs Just Got Real": Americans Are Sharing Their Tariff Receipts, And These Are Brutal

1.On May 12, President Trump reached a deal with China that cut tariffs on imported goods from the country from 145% to 30% for 90 days. But for companies that had to restock while the higher tariffs were in effect, like the open-source hardware retailer Adafruit, the costs of the highest tariffs are still being felt. In a blog post about its tariff bill, Adafruit wrote, "We’ll have to increase the prices on some of these products, but we’re not sure if people will be willing to pay the higher cost, so we may well be ‘stuck’ with unsellable inventory that we have already paid a large fee on."

Image showing a DHL invoice tweet from Adafruit about unexpected tariff costs, highlighting impacts on cash flow and pricing for a single $36K unit

@adafruit.com / Via bsky.app

2.The co-founder and president of Popsmith and Franklin's Popcorn also took to X to share how the tariffs are affecting his business:

Tweet about receiving a product at port with $76k in unexpected tariff fees, described as "absolutely insane."

dave_stickland / Via x.com

He went on to clarify that yes, the tariffs will cause higher prices.

Twitter exchange: Ali Moiz asks about price increases. Dave Stickland confirms prices will rise due to negative value container issues

ali_moiz, dave_stickland / Via x.com

3.Some companies have announced layoffs related to the higher costs of doing business under Trump's tariffs.

4.Higher prices are also beginning to show up on store shelves. It can be harder to tie these increases directly to the tariffs because big American companies are currently not being very transparent about how these new import taxes are affecting prices. For example, this Target employee captured the moment they changed an imported 6-foot USB cable's price from $9.99 to $17.99 in mid-May, before the highest tariffs were paused. The timing would seem to line up with the tariffs' first round of effects, but there's nothing on the price tag to indicate why the price went up by so much so quickly.

A person compares price tags for a lightning cable in a store, noting a price difference of $9.99 versus $17.99

Kurzz_slivr / Via reddit.com

BuzzFeed has reached out to Target for comment, but they did not immediately respond to our request.

5.A Walmart employee also shared the price jump on an 8-ounce container of cocoa powder from $3.44 to $6.18. Walmart recently announced that it would be raising some prices due to the tariffs.

Multiple shelf pricing labels for grocery items, including cocoa powder, espresso powder, and baking bars, showing both retail and unit prices

Esperacchiusdamascus / Via reddit.com

If you work in retail, please pop into the comments and let us know what you're seeing in your store — and post pics if you've got 'em! Or, if you'd like to remain extra anonymous, email me

6.On the other hand, some smaller brands, like the inclusive underwear company tomboyx, have started showing a tariff charge on their products. The company explained on its website, "The tariff surcharge helps us stay sustainable while we move quickly behind the scenes—developing new styles and expanding production to other countries. We’re adapting fast, but building responsible manufacturing relationships takes a bit of time — and we refuse to compromise on the quality you expect from us."

"Iconic Briefs" priced at $26 with a 4.8-star rating; includes a $1.50 trump tariff surcharge

tomboyx / Via tomboyx.com

7.And people genuinely appreciate the transparency:

Social media post thanking Makeship, showing shipping method details: Standard Shipping costs $11.99, with various delivery times

jlopez10111 / Via bsky.app

8.Meanwhile, at the "old-fashioned" grocery store, this Iowa shopper noticed a wild price tag on a container of pre-cut imported fruit:

A person holds a clear plastic container with assorted berries, including raspberries, blackberries, and kiwi slices priced at $14.29

tbug30 / Via reddit.com

9.Restaurant prices are also creeping up. One restaurant owner told CBS News, "We're not importing fresh ingredients like vegetables, but everything else around it — spices, seasonings, even our beers. Now it's double. Who's going to pay $20 for a beer?"

Notice on a window states sushi prices have increased from $0.50 to $1.00 due to import tariffs. Appreciation for customer support is expressed

FizzyBeverage / Via reddit.com

10.If you've got kids who maaaybe do a little online shopping, you should probably talk to them about the tariffs to avoid any nasty surprises like what this parent discovered:

A teenager ordered a $12 scarf from a Canadian Indigenous shop. Due to a missed banner notification, UPS requested a $62.54 tariff upon delivery

@jenclark74 / Via threads.com

11.And if you're planning to buy any new shoes or clothing for the summer season, be warned: most of these products are manufactured in Asia.

Screenshot of an online shopping cart showing a Nike React/X Rejuven8 priced at $65. Total cost is $197 due to $100 duties and $32 shipping

Swish_Sniper305 / Via x.com

12.Scientists who are lucky enough to still have funding for their research are now facing higher prices on lab equipment:

Summary: A post about a $162 "tariff charge" on a microscope, linked to another post discussing tariff impacts on consumable products and potential price increases

kevinmawright / Via bsky.app

13.While all of this is going on, many everyday shoppers are still asking, "Are 'import charges' the same thing as tariffs?" The answer is yes, yes they are.

Checkout screen showing order subtotal of $124.96, import charges of $136.21, payment processing fee of $7.80, and total of $268.36

skinnypigdesigns / Via reddit.com

14.Finally, before you say "just buy American," there are many things that people and businesses rely on to survive that we do not (or in some cases, can not) make here. It could take years for manufacturing to gear up, and paying high prices in the meantime is a financial pain that few Americans are equipped to meet.

Summary of tweet: Company's tariffs experience; most parts from China. Original cost: $130.93. New cost with tariffs: $453.33, including $229.13 in duties

recoveryeffects / Via bsky.app

Now it's time for Comment Corner. A few weeks ago, I shared some of the first tariff receipts making the rounds online, and members of the BuzzFeed Community joined the conversation to share where they've noticed the tariffs going into effect. Here's what they had to say:

15."Jasmine rice is usually imported from Thailand. Costco is already showing how tariffs affect consumers and hardworking citizens like me. In March 2025, a bag of jasmine rice cost $15.99 (25 lbs). April 2025: $17.99 (25 lbs). In the month of May, it already jumped to $25.73 (25 lbs)."

A wooden spoon scooping white rice from a bowl

Surakit Sawangchit / Getty Images

—Anonymous, 41, Florida

16."I’m an assistant store manager at Skechers, and maybe a week ago, we were given updated/higher prices for EVERYTHING in our store — shoes, socks, backpacks, apparel, and even the cleaning supplies we have for your shoes!! I wish I was kidding when I say our three pack of quarter crew socks went from prices between $14.00, $16.00, and $18.00 (which was already, in my opinion, kinda pricey) to $20.00."

"Other pairs of socks, including kids, ladies, and men, went up to $24.00!!! ALL of the shoes went up at least $20 or more. Certain styles were either already a pretty good deal or were kinda pricey, but honestly, who’s going to pay $104.99 plus tax on a shoe when they know just two weeks ago that shoe was literally $84.99?"

—Anonymous, 26, Central Arkansas

17."The cost of my home repairs is three times the amount previously quoted due to an increase in materials costs. I canceled all repairs unless absolutely needed. I'll just sell my house 'as is' or not at all. Someone quoted me $18k to put up a fence. Not going to happen."

Person fixing a metal sink pipe with a wrench, wearing black gloves

Mariia Vitkovska / Getty Images

—Anonymous, 66, Florida

18."I own a small wedding company in California. I have noticed that people are opting for the less expensive package we offer, which is just elopements. Flowers for weddings are going sky high. People are just cutting way back and not having the wedding they've always dreamed of."

—Anonymous

19."My contact lenses went from $750 last year to $1,248 this year. They updated the prices the week before my appointment, saying it was due to the tariff charges."

A woman sits in an eye exam chair, looking through a phoropter, as an optometrist adjusts it

Fotografía De ELuVe / Getty Images

—Anonymous, 35, North Dakota

20."I work for a patio furniture company. Two weeks ago, they started raising all of our prices up 40-70%, which is an incredible amount. We had a chaise lounge chair go from an already high of $1,000 to $1,600 while others doubled. I don’t believe all these increases are due to tariffs. A lot of companies see an opportunity to raise prices on a product that wasn’t necessarily hit that high simply because they can. We have no way of actually knowing if that product was really part of it."

—Anonymous, 68 Port Saint Lucie, Florida

21."I was laid off from my job because of tariffs. When they called me in, they said that because they were an 80% import business, they were decreasing their staff by 25% because of the Trump tariffs. I was on track to be promoted next month."

Person in office attire carrying a cardboard box with folders, possibly indicating a job change or moving offices

Anchalee Phanmaha / Getty Images

—Anonymous, 48, Los Angeles

22."I have a small business where all of my stock comes from overseas. There simply aren't any US-based producers. My suppliers started raising their prices in January due to 'expected tariffs,' and they're still rising. What cost me $3 a year ago now costs me $6.50. This is unsustainable for businesses and customers."

—Anonymous, 47 Seattle, WA

23.And finally, "My partner and I were in the process of purchasing an apartment here in Spain (he is Spanish, I am American) when the bank rescinded our mortgage offer due to 'economic uncertainty in the global market caused by Trump's changing policies.' Even abroad, we can't escape the effects of all this."

Airplane landing on a runway with mountains in the background at sunset

Daniel Garrido / Getty Images

—Anonymous, 36, Spain

Have you been charged a tariff fee or noticed prices going up on imported goods? Tell us all about it in the comments or via this anonymous form:

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