Fitness equipment maker slapped with $250K fee in shipping snafu over tariffs — and other companies may be in same situation

A US-based fitness equipment maker was forced to pay $250,000 after being overcharged in a shipping snafu tied to President Trump’s shifting tariff policies – and it likely isn’t the only company that has received an inflated bill, The Post has learned. 

Echelon, an eight-year-old company in Chattanooga, Tenn, was hit with the eye-popping tab by shipping giant DHL for a June delivery of 1,000 treadmills, stationary bikes and other items it manufactures in China. 

The overcharge was the result of a tariff increase on imported steel and aluminum in June – when the rates increased to 50% from 25% and spiked the cost of shipping household appliances for the first time. 

Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Echelon makes treadmills, bikes and other equipment in China. AFP via Getty Images

DHL was supposed to charge Echelon only for the amount of aluminum in its equipment but instead calculated the fee as if the

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