I want to share an important update about shipping to the United States. This wasn’t an easy decision, but from August 26 2025, I will be pausing all US orders while I figure out a way forward.
What’s happening...
The U.S. government is changing its “de minimis” threshold. Up until now, most international packages valued under $800 could enter the U.S. without any customs charges or fees. This meant you could order directly from small shops like mine without extra surprise costs at delivery.
That is now changing. From 29th August, most small parcels, no matter the value, could be subject to customs processing fees or duties, with some flat rates reportedly ranging from $80 to $200 per parcel.
Because I use Royal Mail to ship from the UK, and they hand parcels over to USPS, this change could mean customers are charged very high fees on arrival, regardless of the size or cost of the item ordered.
Why I’ve decided to pause...
This is incredibly disheartening as a small business owner. I’ve already had to pause EU orders due to complex regulations (like GSPR), and now these new US customs changes mean it’s no longer fair, or affordable, for me to keep shipping to the US without finding a better solution.
It’s especially tough because I’ve built so many lovely connections with my US Diabuddies over the years. But I would never want someone to order a small item and end up facing a large, unexpected bill.
What happens next...
For now, I’m taking time to explore: Whether I can offer bulk shipment options to reduce per-parcel costs, if U.S. fulfilment is possible in the future, or any alternative courier solutions that won’t result in such high fees for you
This pause is temporary while I look into all the options. I’ll keep you posted every step of the way, and please know I’m working hard to find a solution that’s fair, sustainable, and doesn’t make supporting a small business cost more than it should.
