Hello, you beautiful, bold vintage lovers!
If you're reading this, you've probably heard the rumbles about some big shipping changes between the UK and the US. With the deadline of Friday, 29 August just two weeks away, I wanted to create a clear, no-nonsense guide for everyone.
This post is for my treasured US customers, so you know exactly what to expect. And it’s also an action plan for my fellow UK-based small business owners, because let's be honest, we're all in this together and we need to act now.
IMPORTANT UPDATE (21 August 2025): A Major Shift in How US Duties Will Be Collected!
Thank you, Chloe, for the message regarding some crucial new information that has come to light about the upcoming US shipping changes, and it's a game-changer.
My original post outlined a few different strategies, including making the customer responsible for fees on arrival (DDU). Based on the latest operational updates from carriers, that advice is now out of date.
The Bottom Line Has Changed: DDP Is Now the Only Viable Option
It is now clear that sending parcels DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid) is an extremely high-risk strategy. The system is being set up in a way that makes it almost certain that any parcel sent this way will be hit with a punitive flat fee of up to $80, regardless of its value.
To protect your customers and your business, you should now consider it mandatory to collect all duties and taxes at checkout.
But here's the good news!
Royal Mail has confirmed they are launching a Postal Delivered Duties Paid (PDDP) service for the USA.
This is our solution! This service is specifically designed to bypass the $80 flat fee. It allows you to collect the actual percentage-based duty (e.g., 10% on most vintage homewares) plus a small handling fee from your customer at checkout. Royal Mail then deals with customs for you.
Your New, Updated Action Plan:
Forget the old options. Your number one priority before August 29th is to set up a system to collect duties at checkout.
For Shopify Sellers: Your path is clear. Activate the "duties and import taxes" collection feature in your Shopify Markets settings immediately. This is exactly what it was built for.
For eBay Sellers: Continue using eBay International Shipping. It already handles this for you and remains the simplest solution.
For Etsy/Other Website Sellers: You now have two main choices:
Use Royal Mail's PDDP Service: Contact Royal Mail about getting this enabled for your business account. You will need a way to add the correct duty percentage to your checkout totals.
Use a DDP Courier: Services like DHL, FedEx, or UPS have robust DDP options that can be integrated with many platforms.
The "strategic pause" I mentioned before is now a last resort only if you cannot get a DDP system in place by the deadline. The new goal is clear: collect duties upfront to provide a seamless, surprise-free experience for your awesome US customers.
A Quick Note: I've done my best to research and compile this information as accurately as possible to help you navigate these big changes. All details are correct to the best of my knowledge as of the date of publishing, 15 August 2025. However, international shipping and customs rules can be complex and are subject to change. I always encourage you to check official sources, like the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website, for the most current information.
First, What's Actually Happening?
For years, a rule called the "de minimis exemption" has allowed packages valued at $800 or less to enter the US completely free of import duties and taxes. It’s been amazing for making it easy to send my quirky, restyled treasures across the pond.
As of 29 August 2025, this $800 tax-free allowance is ending.
From this date, all packages, regardless of value, will be subject to US import duties and fees. This is a huge shift, and here’s what it means for you.
For My Awesome US Customers: What This Means for You
The biggest change you’ll see is an additional cost. When your beautiful vintage glassware or retro statement piece arrives in the US, it will be assessed by customs, and import fees will be due.
How much will it cost? This is the tricky part. For the first six months (from late August 2025 to late February 2026), there may be a flat fee per package. Based on information from the White House, for goods coming from the UK, this could be a flat duty of $80. I know, that’s a real shock, and it will have a huge impact on lower-value items. After this initial six-month period, the system is scheduled to switch to a more predictable percentage-based duty, calculated on the value of the item.
How will I pay? How you pay these fees depends on how the seller has set up their shop. In many cases, especially with small independent shops using standard mail, the process will be:
Your parcel will be held by the carrier (usually USPS) after it clears customs.
You will be contacted and sent a bill for the required duties and taxes.
Once you have paid, your parcel will be released for final delivery to your home.
Some sellers (and you can count me in this group!) are working hard to make this smoother by using shipping services that let you pay these fees upfront at checkout. The most important thing is to read the shipping policy of any UK shop you buy from so you know what to expect. And on behalf of all of us small UK sellers, thank you for your understanding as we navigate this big change!
For My Fellow UK Sellers: Our Action Plan (Deadline: August 29th!)
Alright, fellow creators. The clock is ticking, and we need a plan. How we handle this will make or break our US customer experience. The most critical decision you need to make right now is how you're going to approach the new customs process. You have three potential paths.
The Three Paths for Handling Customs: DDU, DDP, or a Strategic Pause
Option 1: The Customer Pays on Arrival (DDU - Delivered Duty Unpaid)
This is the default method. You ship the parcel, and the customer is responsible for all fees when it lands in the US.
How it works:
You Prepare the Parcel: You pack up your beautiful vintage find and fill out the standard customs declaration form (a CN22 or CN23 from Royal Mail) with the item's description, weight, and accurate value.
You Ship It: You pay for the postage and send the parcel on its way. Your job is technically done for now.
US Customs Assesses Fees: When the parcel arrives in the US, customs officials will inspect the declaration and assess the import duty and any other fees.
The Customer Gets a Bill: The delivery carrier (usually USPS) will contact your customer, informing them that their package is being held and that they have fees to pay. They will have to pay this online or at the post office before the package is released for final delivery.
The Critical Detail You CANNOT Ignore: For the first six months of this new system (until late February 2026), the carrier has the option to charge either a percentage of the item's value OR a flat fee, which could be as high as $80. This is the most important part. If you choose this DDU method, you are sending your items into a system where a quirky £20 teacup could have an unavoidable $80 fee slapped on it at the border. The choice is out of your hands.
Pros of this method:
It's simple for you. You don't need any special accounts or software; you just ship as you normally would.
Cons of this method:
It's a poor customer experience. No one likes an unexpected bill. That "surprise!" $80 fee could turn a happy purchase into a moment of frustration.
Risk of abandoned packages. Some customers, shocked by the extra cost, may refuse to pay. This means your parcel either gets destroyed or sent back to you at your own expense.
Potential for bad reviews. Even if the customer pays, they might blame you for the unexpected charge and leave a negative review.
Your Urgent Action Plan: If you take this risk, you MUST be incredibly transparent. Today, you need to update your website banner, shipping policy, FAQs, and checkout notes to make it crystal clear that the US buyer is responsible for all import charges, which could include a substantial flat fee.
Option 2: You Handle the Charges Upfront (DDP - Delivered Duty Paid) - The Gold Standard
This method is more work for you, but it creates a seamless, professional experience for your buyer.
How it works:
You Need a DDP Service: You can't do this with a standard Royal Mail counter service. You need to use a courier or a specific postal service that allows you to pre-pay all the duties and taxes.
Calculate Fees at Checkout: Your website needs to calculate these fees and add them to the customer's total when they check out. If you're on a platform like Shopify (on the Shopify plan or higher), you can turn this feature on in your settings. It requires you to have the correct HS Codes (a universal code that classifies your products) for what you sell.
Customer Pays One Price: Your US customer pays you for the item, the shipping, and the import duties all in one go. The price they see is the final price.
You Pay the Carrier: You then use a DDP shipping service to send the parcel. The courier handles all the customs brokerage and pays the fees on your behalf, using the money you collected from the customer. The parcel sails through customs and arrives at your customer's door with no extra charges.
Pros of this method:
Awesome customer experience. No surprises, no hassle. It builds immense trust and encourages repeat business.
No abandoned parcels. Since everything is paid, you virtually eliminate the risk of a customer refusing the delivery.
You look professional. It shows you're a serious, global business that has its processes buttoned down.
Cons of this method:
It's more complex to set up. You need the right website functionality and a shipping partner that offers DDP.
You are responsible. If you miscalculate the fees, you may have to cover the difference.
So, How Do I Actually Do DDP from the UK?
This is the key question! Here are your options:
Major Couriers: Companies like DHL, FedEx, and UPS all offer robust DDP services. They can be more expensive than mail, but their services are reliable and fully integrated for this purpose. They are a fantastic choice for high-value or fragile statement pieces.
Royal Mail (for business customers): If you have a Royal Mail business account, they are rolling out a Postal Delivered Duties Paid (PDDP) service. You should speak to your account manager about getting access to this.
Third-Party Shipping Platforms: Services like Shippo, ShipStation, or Pirate Ship often integrate with DDP couriers (like UPS or DHL). They can be a great way to access DDP rates and manage your shipments from one place.
My Recommendation
If you're serious about selling to the US market long-term, start working towards offering a DDP service now.
While the DDU (customer pays) method is a temporary stop-gap, the future of international e-commerce is a transparent, "landed cost" model. The DDP path transforms a potentially negative customer experience into a positive one and protects your business's reputation. It's a bit of work to set up, but it will be a massive competitive advantage.
Option 3: A Strategic Pause (Temporarily Stop US Shipping)
This might sound drastic, but it is a perfectly valid and potentially very wise business decision.
How it works: You go into the shipping settings on your website, Etsy, eBay, etc., and temporarily disable shipping to the United States for the next six months.
Why would you do this? To completely avoid the unpredictable $80 flat fee period. By pausing, you protect your brand's reputation from the inevitable customer frustration and negative reviews that will arise from the DDU method. It gives you a six-month window to properly research and implement a smooth DDP (Option 2) solution for your business.
Pros: Zero risk of angry customers or abandoned parcels. It protects your brand reputation and gives you time to build a better system for the long term.
Cons: The obvious and significant loss of all your US sales for a six-month period.
Your Urgent Action Plan: If you choose this path, do it today. Communicate it to your audience. Put a polite banner on your site explaining that you've temporarily paused US shipping to protect your customers from unpredictable new import fees, and you look forward to returning in March 2026 with a better system.
How to Handle This on Your Sales Platform: An Urgent Checklist
On Your Own Website (Shopify): If you are on the Shopify plan or higher, you have a massive advantage. Go to Shopify Markets right now and turn on the setting to calculate and collect duties and taxes at checkout. This allows you to offer a DDP service and is the single best thing you can do to protect your US sales.
On Your Own Website (WooCommerce, Squarespace, etc.): If your platform doesn't have a built-in duty calculator, you must default to the DDU method and make transparency your number one priority. Update your policies and checkout process immediately to inform customers they will be billed for duties upon arrival.
On Etsy: Etsy's policy makes the buyer responsible for customs. It is your job to reinforce this. Log in today and update your Shop Announcement, shipping policies, and FAQs. Be clear that US buyers will be responsible for import duties. Remember, Etsy collects state sales tax, which is different, so be prepared to explain that to customers.
On eBay: This is your easiest win. If you aren't already, enroll all your listings in eBay International Shipping. The program automatically calculates and collects all import fees from the buyer at checkout. It’s a complete "landed cost" solution that requires no extra work from you and provides total transparency for your customers.
Your Action Plan for the New US Shipping Rules
Answer a few questions to get a personalised checklist before the August 29th deadline.
First, where do you primarily sell to US customers?
For your Etsy shop, what's your plan for the next 6 months?
This is the period where a surprise $80 flat fee is most likely for your customers.
For your own website, how will you handle duties?
Choose your strategy for the next 6 months of uncertainty.
Your Action Plan: Use eBay International Shipping
Great news! You have the best tool for this situation. eBay's system is designed to handle this seamlessly.
- How it Works: eBay automatically calculates and collects all import duties and fees from the buyer at checkout. The price they pay is final.
- Your Benefit: No surprise bills for your customer, which means a better experience and a far lower risk of returns or angry messages. eBay handles the customs paperwork.
- Your Urgent Task: Log in to eBay and ensure all your listings are enrolled in **eBay International Shipping**. If you're using an older system like the Global Shipping Programme (GSP), make sure it's active. This is a "set it and forget it" solution.
Your Action Plan: Activate DDP in Shopify Markets
You're in a great position. If you're on the `Shopify` plan or higher, you can offer a professional, seamless experience for your US customers.
- Activate Duties Collection: Go to your **Shopify Admin > Settings > Markets**. Select your United States market and enable the option to **collect duties and import taxes at checkout**.
- Add HS Codes: To calculate duties accurately, you must have HS (Harmonized System) codes for your products. You can add these in the "Customs Information" section of each product page.
- Offer DDP: By doing this, you're offering a **Delivered Duty Paid (DDP)** service. Your customer pays one all-inclusive price. This is the gold standard for international e-commerce and the best way to protect your US sales.
Your Action Plan: A Strategic Pause
This is a very wise and proactive business decision to protect your brand from the uncertainty of the next six months.
- Why it's smart: You completely avoid the risk of the unpredictable $80 flat fee being charged to your customers, protecting your brand from negative reviews and chargebacks.
- Your Urgent Task: Go into your shipping settings on Etsy and/or your website and temporarily disable shipping to the United States.
- Communicate Clearly: Put a polite banner on your site and update your shop announcement. Explain that you've paused US shipping to protect customers from unpredictable fees and that you plan to return in March 2026 with a better system.
- Use This Time: Spend the next six months researching a DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping solution so you can relaunch to the US with confidence.
High-Risk Strategy Warning
Be aware: This path means your Etsy customer could face a surprise bill of up to **$80**, even on a low-value item. Transparency is your only defense.
Your Etsy Action Plan: Maximum Transparency
Etsy's policy makes the buyer responsible for customs, but you must reinforce this everywhere to avoid disputes and bad reviews.
- Update Your Shop Announcement: Add a clear, unavoidable message for US buyers about their responsibility for import fees.
- Edit Shipping Policies: Explicitly state that all duties, taxes, and carrier fees are the buyer's responsibility and are not included in the item price or shipping cost. Mention the risk of a high flat fee.
- Add to Product Descriptions: A short note at the end of each description (e.g., "Note for US Buyers: Import duties will apply and are your responsibility") can prevent "I didn't know" disputes.
- Prepare a Saved Reply: Have a polite, informative message ready to send to every US buyer after they order, reminding them of the potential fees.
Your Action Plan: Offer DDP on Your Website
Excellent choice! This is the gold standard for international selling and provides the best customer experience.
- Choose a DDP Carrier: You'll need a shipping partner that offers Delivered Duty Paid services. Options include DHL, FedEx, UPS, or Royal Mail's PDDP service for business account holders.
- Integrate a Duty Calculator: Your website needs to calculate these fees at checkout. Look for plugins or apps for your platform (e.g., WooCommerce) that can do this. You will need HS codes for your products.
- Update Shipping Policy: Clearly state that all prices are "landed cost," meaning all duties and taxes are included. This is a major selling point!
Note: This is the most complex option to set up, but offers the best long-term results for keeping your US customers.
High-Risk Strategy Warning
Be aware: This path (Delivered Duty Unpaid) means your customer could face a surprise bill of up to **$80**, even on a low-value item. This can lead to abandoned packages and negative reviews. Transparency is your only defense.
Your Website Action Plan: Maximum Transparency
If you must continue selling to the US without collecting duties upfront, you need to over-communicate the risks to your customers.
- Add a Website Banner: Create a clear, unavoidable message for all visitors about the new US import rules.
- Edit Shipping Policies: Explicitly state that all duties, taxes, and carrier fees are the buyer's responsibility and are not included in the item price or shipping cost. Mention the risk of a high flat fee.
- Add to Product Pages: A note near the "add to cart" button can prevent "I didn't know" disputes.
- Require a Checkout Checkbox: This is crucial. Add a mandatory checkbox for US buyers to acknowledge they understand and accept full responsibility for all import fees before they can complete their purchase.
We Can Do This!
I know this is a huge, complex change hitting us at high speed. But by communicating clearly and choosing the right systems, we can transform this challenge into an opportunity to build even more trust with our wonderful customers.
Let's continue to create and share our beautiful, bold pieces with the world.