[08/23/2025] Shipping Updates - De Minimis Exemption Ending

TL;DR prices on items in upcoming shipments may go up by A LOT depending on what happens (also probably delays).

As you’ve (probably) heard, the de minimis exemption for packages under $800 is ending and starting August 29, all shipments entering the US will be assessed duties.

HOWEVER, for the first six months after this goes into effect, carriers are allowed to use simplified duty rates to expedite customs processing. For Japan, that rate is $80 per item. Not per package, PER ITEM in the shipment.

Ex: A shipment has 40-60 items on average (let's say...about 10-12 item lines in the customs form). Even under the assumption that the $80 charge is per item line in the customs declaration form and not individual items, that's going to be about $800-960 in duties alone for a package valued under $800. Assuming individual items, that's $3200-$4800 in duties for a package under $800. See how insane this is?

How does this affect the store, you ask?

A lot of the shipments we receive are below the $800 threshold (we have to split up orders so they qualify for surface parcel, which is how we’re able to offer lower prices/the B2G1 free promo continuously).

Many of our shipments are currently in transit (they were shipped out prior to the executive order being announced). Depending on the final bill, some of the prices in these shipments will need a DRASTIC adjustment to account for the sudden increase in cost (unfortunately the upcoming Metaphor acrylic restock will likely be hit by this).

We’ll try to minimize the increase as much as possible, but price increases on certain items are looking unavoidable right now. HOPEFULLY the simplified duties assessment doesn’t actually last the entire six months allowed under the executive order, but we thought we’d at least put out a disclaimer before the sticker shock hits.

NOTE: Preorders on the store will NOT be affected by this announcement. Those shipments require formal entry and are not subject to simplified duties calculations.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave them below. We'll try to answer them to the best of our ability.