08/09/2026
Why do you no longer ship to the EU or Northern Ireland?
Due to recent regulatory changes—specifically the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) and complex new packaging reporting/Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws across European Union member states—we have made the difficult decision to stop shipping to the EU and Northern Ireland.
As a small independent maker, complying with the heavy administrative burden, mandatory local representation, and cross-border packaging registration costs for these regions is unfortunately no longer sustainable. We want to keep our focus entirely on creating and casting, rather than navigating shifting international red tape.
We sincerely apologize to our collectors in the EU and NI for any disappointment, and we deeply appreciate your continued support for our work!
06/09/2026
Its look like shipping and selling to the EU will be coming to end.
As of 12 September 2026, new EU rules under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) may require me to register and report on the packaging when I sell to buyers in the EU. If I sell packaged goods to buyers in the EU, here's what I would have to do to meet my compliance obligations.
Depending on where I sell, what I sell, I may need to:
Register with the national producer register in each EU country where I sell
Provide your EPR registration numbers and self-certifications to Etsy in Shop Manager
Appoint an Authorised Representative in EU countries where Im not established
Report packaging quantities to the national producer register
Participate in a compliance scheme and pay EPR fees that help fund packaging collection and recycling.
Some details are still evolving. But financially this isn't viable, so shipping to the EU may end on here very soon. I will remove the EU as a location from my store on the 11th. So thank you to all my customers, I'm sorry this is happening, but this is what our elected leaders are doing to us all to divide and conquer and get more money out of everyone. So sad.
Please do check out our new supporting site which has all our FAQS https://www.trashcompactor.store/faqs
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU READ THE UPDATES TO EU POSTAGE RATES AND CUSTOMS RULES.
1/07/2026
As of 1st July 2026, the EU has completely scrapped the duty-free exemption for small packages. All EU customers are now hit with a new flat €3 customs duty per item classification on imports from non-EU countries. On top of that, individual countries are tacking on localised VAT and handling fees, meaning your total customs charges can look like up to 20% of your order value in some countries.
I guess the politicians got their ideas from Trump—the global trade war is officially here. Best of luck everyone, we all need it, as these millionaires and politicians seem to think us mere mortals are all made of money! I wish I was.
10/02/2026 Phone Number Requirement (All EU & US Customers)
All EU & US orders require a phone number for shipping labels.
Etsy does not currently provide sellers with customer phone numbers.
If you don’t send your number when requested, your order will be delayed.
If no number is provided after repeated requests, I will use the phone number of your local delivery office so the parcel can be sent.
10/06/2026
Tariffs (US Customers)
As of August 2025, tariffs apply to all imports into the US (no de minimis).
Trash Compactor pays these tariffs upfront when shipping your order.
You will not be charged extra on delivery.
If a postal service tries to bill you, it’s a duplicate charge—tariffs are already covered by us.
EU Customs Duty Update (EU Customers Only)
As of July 2026, customs duty tariffs apply to all imports into the EU.
For all new orders placed on or after 1st July 2026, Trash Compactor will pay these import charges upfront. Our pricing for EU and Non-EU customers has been adjusted to cover this increase, ensuring your new orders arrive with no surprise fees.
For orders placed before 1st July 2026: If your order was placed before this date but is shipping now, we are unfortunately unable to cover these charges retroactively, as no upfront fee was collected at the time of purchase. When your order arrives, you may be charged up to 20% of the order value by your local customs authority.
Thank you so much for your understanding and continued support as we navigate these regulatory changes!
A quick heads-up: Etsy has made it mandatory to show shipping costs on every single item, which makes multiple-item orders look way more expensive than they are. Rest assured, I combine postage! You only pay the rate for your largest item, regardless of what Etsy displays. Thanks for bearing with me through this nonsense!
Please note that orders cannot exceed £250 / $250 [choose your currency]. If an order goes over this limit, I will unfortunately have to cancel it.
Because of fluctuating US tariffs and EU customs charges applied during shipping, it has become impossible to calculate these costs fairly on Etsy. I sincerely apologize for the price and postage increases, but these factors are completely out of my hands. I honestly don't know how long this is sustainable—it feels like everything is being done to make things difficult for small businesses right now. Thank you so much for your understanding and support!
Big thanks to all my customers, your patience and support mean everything. It’s a huge help knowing you’ve got my back when things get hectic. Just know I’ve got yours too.
Tracking updates when your order ships. Check your Etsy history for updates.
I’m still replying to messages, but it might take a bit longer.
I truly appreciate your understanding. Thank you again.
MTFBWY—Mark
