Important Update: Changes to European Shipping Starting December 13th, 2024
As a small business owner, I've always prided myself on sharing my cross-stitch and embroidery creations with people worldwide. It's been an incredible joy to see my work travel across oceans to customers in Europe, many of whom have become loyal supporters and friends of Two Little Kits. However, I'm writing this post with some difficult news.
Starting December 13th, 2024 (two weeks from the release of this post), I regret to say I will no longer be able to ship to Europe. This decision wasn't made lightly, and it stems from new regulations under the EU's General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR).
Contents:
What is the GPSR?
The GPSR is a set of safety regulations designed to ensure that all products sold in the EU meet strict safety standards. While its intention —to protect consumers— is commendable, the changes come with significant responsibilities for sellers like me, including:
- Documentation: Detailed safety assessments for every product.
- Labelling: Adding specific compliance labels to items.
- Reporting: Registering products and keeping updated records for EU regulators.
- Accountability: Appointing an EU-based representative to handle compliance issues*.
While these measures make sense for large companies with dedicated teams, they are daunting for small businesses like mine. The financial burden, time commitment, and additional resources needed to comply are simply not feasible.
*And this is the biggest hurdle I'm facing. I don't have the finances or ability to have someone who is located in the EU to be that liaison.
Why I Can't Continue Shipping to Europe
As a solo entrepreneur, I manage every aspect of Two Little Kits —from designing patterns to fulfilling orders and answering customer emails— all while juggling parenting and family life. Adding these extra layers of complexity and cost would overwhelm my limited resources, potentially compromising the quality and care I pour into my business.
This isn't about not wanting to comply —I fully support safety standards— but the framework wasn't designed with micro-businesses in mind.
To My European Customers
I cannot express how deeply sorry I am. I know many of you have been with me since the early days of Two Little Kits, and your support has meant the world to me. This decision breaks my heart because I value our connection and your enthusiasm for my work.
I truly hope that, in the future, there will be changes to make regulations like GPSR more accessible for small businesses. Until then, I'll continue to share my passion for cross-stitch and embroidery with you through my digital patterns, which remain available for instant download regardless of where you are.
Edited to add: 2nd Dec, 2024
A Fellow Small Business Owner's Perspective on GPSR
I recently came across a post from Vika - someone I follow on Instagram. She sheds more light on the challenges small businesses face with the EU's General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR). She touched on how the regulations aim to ensure consumer safety but often fail to distinguish between high-risk items, like electronics, and low-risk products, like art prints or handmade crafts. She also raised valid concerns about the financial burden of appointing an authorised EU representative — an expensive requirement that many small businesses simply can't meet.
If you're curious to dive deeper into the complexities of GPSR in an easy-to-understand way, I highly recommend checking out her Reel for additional insights and helpful sources. While she's not an expert, her perspective really resonated with me as a fellow small business owner navigating these changes.
What's Next?
For the time being, I'll focus on serving customers in the USA and other regions where compliance remains manageable. If you're in Europe and considering making a purchase of physical items from Two Little Kits, please place your order before December 12th, 2024. After that date, I'll no longer be able to ship physical goods to EU countries.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out. I'm always happy to help where I can.
Thank You
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your understanding and support. I'm hopeful that someday, small businesses like mine will have a clearer path to sharing our work across borders without being overwhelmed by bureaucracy. Until then, I'll continue stitching, creating, and connecting with you in every way possible.
With gratitude,
Kate
Two Little Kits
Leading image: Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya via Unsplash.
