As of August 29, 2009 I am no longer able to ship to the USA.

August 29, 2025

Hello everyone,

Like so many other small independent business in Canada who have customers in the USA, today I am trying to figure out what I can do to stay in business.

Here is what happened:

Yesterday the American President cancelled the Cusma agreement for goods sold into the USA from Canada. The Cusma agreement meant Americans and Canadians could buy up to $800 worth of goods at one time from each other's countries without paying customs fees when those good crossed the border. This made shipping easy and customers knew for sure what they would be paying when they ordered from Canada.

 That stopped being true yesterday.

Yesterday the US president stopped that arrangement between out countries and has set a 35% customs fee on all goods imported from Canada. 

Essentially that is the American president charging a 35% tax on Americans for making an sort of purchase from Canada.

 I wish that was the whole impact and I could just let my US customers decide if they want to pay 35%  more, but its not that simple.

The amount of work and time I would need to navigate the details and paperwork I would need to do to satisfy government, customs broker and shipper requirements  is unrealistic for a business my size.  Especially as it could all change to something else if the President changes his mind to a different idea, which could happen any time apparently. 

To my Canadian customers:

Nothing is changed for you. I am bringing in new products for fall and looking forward to another season with you. It will be precarious for awhile as I will have to find new customers quite quickly, the loss of my American customers is a serious blow.

To my American customers:

I am so sorry. I will miss you so much and not just as customers.  Many of you have been been with me since my baby steps when I began this business in 2005.  Many of you have sent warm responses to my newsletter which keep me feeling like I know you even tho I don't see you in a 'real' walk in store :-).  You've shared photos of your projects, and warm thoughts that helped me through Covid and postal strikes. 

I hope this situation changes and I will be able to re-open shipping to you.

Kind regards,

Susan