Have you come across a new charge called a tariff surcharge while shopping online or in stores recently? If so, you’re not alone. Many people, especially in places like Shreveport, are beginning to notice these extra fees showing up during checkout. But what exactly is a tariff, and why is it suddenly a part of our everyday shopping?
What Is a Tariff?
A tariff is a tax placed by a government on goods and services imported from other countries. The main idea behind it is simple: by making foreign products more expensive, it encourages people to buy products made locally.
U.S. President Donald Trump brought tariffs into the spotlight during his term. In fact, he once even called “tariff” the “most beautiful word,” as reported by MSNBC.com. He believed that tariffs would boost American industries by reducing the number of cheaper imports coming from abroad.
So, What Is a Tariff Surcharge?
A tariff surcharge is a fee added to the price of a product when companies try to cover the extra cost of the tariffs they’re paying. Even if you’re buying from an American business, many of the materials used to make those products still come from other countries. So, when those materials are taxed by the U.S. government, businesses often pass that cost to you—the customer.
This means your online orders, gadgets, clothes, or even furniture might include a tariff surcharge that wasn’t there before.
Businesses Are Passing the Cost to Customers
According to Yahoo Finance, nearly 44% of American businesses are now passing on these tariff-related costs to customers. That means you may see more surprise charges while shopping, even if you didn’t order anything from overseas directly.
But there’s a bit of good news—87% of those businesses are still hopeful about staying profitable despite global economic changes. That means companies are trying their best to adjust without making things too expensive for customers.
Are Shreveport Shoppers Feeling It?
If you’re living in or around Shreveport, you might have noticed these extra fees popping up recently. Maybe you were shopping online, paying for tools, or even buying something handmade by a U.S. company, only to see a “tariff surcharge” added during checkout.
It’s a sign of how global economics are impacting even our small, everyday purchases.
