Former Miss Houston Taylor Toftemark Slams $300 Trump Tariff Fee on Australian Brand Glassons Order

HOUSTON, TX – May 2025 — A former Miss Houston contestant Taylor Toftemark has gone viral after slamming Australian fashion brand Glassons when she was hit with a $300 import duty on a $125 clothing order — a shock she blames on Donald Trump’s global tariffs.

Taylor Toftemark, 24, took to TikTok on May 7 to share her frustration after receiving an unexpected email requesting a US$193.51 (AUD$300) duty payment to receive her purchase.

“I ordered $80 worth of stuff from an Australian company. Today, I get an email saying I have to pay $200 to get it shipped here,” she said in disbelief.

“What are you f***ing talking about? Why would I pay double what I paid? Why wouldn’t you tell me this at checkout?”

At first, she thought it was a scam — but upon closer inspection, realized the fee was legitimate. She captioned her rant: “fking orange man’s tariffs,” a clear jab at former President Trump, linking the cost to his import tax policies.

Other Shoppers Hit Too

Toftemark’s frustration echoes that of another U.S. shopper, Nani Franzitta, who was recently charged US$1,834 (AUD$2,851) in import duties on a haul from White Fox Boutique, another popular Australian label.

Backlash and Clarification

Aussie TikTok users were quick to defend Glassons, pointing out that the tariffs are U.S.-imposed, not the responsibility of the foreign retailer.

“Why are you blaming Australia for American tariffs?” one commenter said.

“It’s not the job of foreign companies to educate Americans about American taxes,” added another.

Some Australians also shared how they often avoid U.S. online stores due to similar high shipping and customs fees.

Trump’s Tariff Policy and What It Means

The import tax shock comes after Trump reintroduced a 10% tariff on goods exported from Australia to the U.S. on April 2, as part of a renewed “America First” global trade policy. The move is affecting many Americans ordering from overseas, especially popular fashion and lifestyle brands.

What Glassons Says

While Glassons has yet to respond directly to the viral post, its website FAQ does warn customers:

“Please note that customs or import duties may be charged when the order reaches its destination country. These must be paid by the recipient. We have no control over these charges and cannot predict what they may be.”