Last updated: August 30, 2025

U.S. Shipping Temporarily Paused from August 26th

We have had to take the very difficult decision of pausing shipping to the U.S. August 26th to September 9th, as we don't want customers to incur any additional fees or have parcels delayed at the border. We will use this period to test and confirm our DDP solution by shipping some parcels to our team members in the U.S.. From September 10th onward, all U.S. orders will ship DDP (Delivered Duty Paid). This means Thread & Maple will prepay and absorb all duties and brokerage fees, so there are no surprise costs on your end and your parcel moves through customs without delay. We will unfortunately need to increase our U.S. prices to offset at least a portion of these costs. 

Shipping DDP is not a sustainable solution for us long-term, but as a small business, we can’t simply stop selling to the U.S.—too much is at stake. Our Ukrainian leather team relies on consistent monthly orders to stay employed, and we’re committed to keeping that lifeline intact.

We’ve secured a 3rd party warehouse in New York and are working hard to have it fully operational by early October. Once live, most of our products will ship domestically within the U.S.. We will still need to cover duties to import our products into the U.S., but the customs brokerage fees on consolidated bulk shipments will be much lower. 

Note that we will need to begin charging and remitting New York local state taxes once the warehouse is set up, so all NY orders will be charged tax on checkout.

What's Going On?

Starting August 29, 2025, the United States plans to suspend the de minimis rule that previously allowed many small imports under $800USD to enter duty-free. After this change, U.S.-bound parcels shipped from our Montreal studio will incur import duties and customs brokerage/clearance fees charged by carriers.

Because our products are made in a few different places—Ukraine, Portugal, Canada, Turkey, and more—duty rates will vary by item and country of origin. As one example, leather bags made in Ukraine are expected to face a 19% tariff under current classifications. In addition, carriers like UPS and FedEx charge brokerage/clearance fees, commonly ~$30–$60 per shipment, in addition to tariffs collected by customs.

We know this adds real cost. As a small, Canadian business that serves many U.S. customers, it hurts. Your support is the reason we’re here—and the reason our artisan leather team in Ukraine continues to have steady work during unimaginable times. We’re deeply grateful for you.

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Click here to read the full story about what's happening to small businesses like ours.

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A Personal Note from Olga

I’m an entrepreneur and a busy mom, and—like so many small business owners—I’m doing the late-night spreadsheets, the duty-code rabbit holes, and the “how do we make this work?” math. I’ll be honest: I’ve had moments where I wondered if we should close up shop because the numbers don’t add up. But I’m not giving up—because I have worked very hard, because I love this community, because you’ve been with us from the start, and because our artisan leather team in Ukraine relies on this work. We’re going to find a way through. Thank you for standing with us.

— Olga (Co-founder, Thread & Maple)

What We’re Working On

We’re moving quickly to keep your costs predictable and your orders moving:

• U.S. warehousing/3PL so core items can ship domestically
• DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) so duties/fees can be pre-paid at checkout (so you’ll know the full cost upfront and parcels move faster)
• More U.S. retail partners to put T&M products closer to you

We’ll keep you posted as these go live.

At Thread & Maple, we’ve always been about more than just crafting beautiful organizers and accessories for makers. We’re a small, passionate team that cares deeply about our craft, our community, and the people behind every stitch and seam. But right now, we’re facing a challenge that threatens the future of small Canadian businesses like ours—and we need your support.

Your Support Makes a Difference

By choosing to shop with us, you’re not just purchasing a knitting accessory—you’re directly supporting a small business, skilled artisans, and a global knitting community that thrives on creativity and connection.

We know this tariff is frustrating, and we’re doing everything we can to make it easier for you to continue enjoying the handcrafted pieces you love. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for standing by us, for choosing handmade, and for being a part of the Thread & Maple family.

With gratitude,