Shipping to the US
How It Works (No Surprises)

Shipping handmade tools from Aotearoa New Zealand to the US has become more complex in recent years due to changes in US import rules and border processing.

I know how frustrating it can be to place an international order and then be asked to pay additional charges when the parcel arrives — so I’ve designed my US shipping process specifically to avoid surprise fees.

For US orders, I provide an all-inclusive price upfront via a short Request for Quote (RFQ) process.

One price. One payment. No border surprises.

Why US orders are handled differently

When a parcel enters the US, it is subject to:

import tariffs (calculated as a percentage of the goods value)
customs or courier handling fees
additional border processing charges

These fees vary depending on:

the value of the items
how many items are in the parcel
how the shipment is processed at the border

Because of this variability, it’s not currently possible to show fully accurate US pricing automatically at checkout without risking under- or over-charging — or worse, leaving you to pay fees on delivery.

Rather than guessing, I use a quote-first approach so everything is clear before you pay.

What’s included in a US quote

Your all-inclusive quote will include:

the textures or stamps you’ve chosen
international shipping via NZ Post
US import tariffs
border handling and processing fees

Once you accept the quote, you’ll receive a secure payment link and can check out as normal.

How tariffs and border fees are calculated

To be as transparent as possible, here’s how I calculate US import-related charges.

1. US import tariff — 15%

Texture tools shipped from New Zealand are currently subject to a 15% US import tariff, calculated on the value of the goods.

2. US customs / border handling — 5%

In addition to the tariff, US customs applies a handling / processing fee of approximately 5% of the goods value.

3. NZ Post border processing fee — NZ$5 per parcel

NZ Post also charges a NZ$5 fee per parcel to manage the increased documentation and processing now required for US-bound shipments.

How this is applied in practice

To keep things simple and predictable, I apply:

20% on each product (to cover US tariffs + customs handling), and
a NZ$5 border handling fee per parcel

This approach slightly averages out variations between orders and allows me to quote confidently without surprises later.

Real-world examples (all prices in NZD)

Below are representative examples showing how different US orders are typically priced. These are not best-case scenarios — the are actual orders I've recently processed for US customers.

Example 1 — Small order

1 texture sheet

Texture sheet: NZ$32.00
Shipping (NZ Post): NZ$26.54
Border handling fee: NZ$5.00
US import tariff (20% of goods): NZ$6.40

Total: NZ$69.94

Example 2 — Medium order

3 texture sheets

Texture sheets: NZ$96.00
Shipping (NZ Post): NZ$26.54
Border handling fee: NZ$5.00
US import tariff (20% of goods): NZ$19.20

Total: NZ$146.74

Example 3 — Large order

Multiple texture sheets + accent stamps

Textures & stamps: NZ$164.00
Shipping (NZ Post): NZ$35.00
Border handling fee: NZ$5.00
US import tariff (20% of goods): NZ$32.80

Total: NZ$236.80

Why I use a Request for Quote (RFQ)

Because tariffs are calculated as a percentage of goods value and shipping depends on parcel size and weight, the RFQ process allows me to:

confirm the exact items and quantities
apply the correct import charges
provide a clear, all-inclusive total before payment

This means you won’t be asked to pay additional fees when your parcel arrives in the US.

If you’re browsing, you’re welcome to explore freely — when you’re ready, just request a quote and I’ll take care of the rest.

A quick note on international shipping costs

I know international shipping can feel expensive, especially for small handmade tools. I wish it were simpler.

Until cross-border rules change, this is the clearest and fairest way I’ve found to ship to the US with transparency and care — for both you and me.

If you have questions at any point, I’m always happy to explain.

Ready to proceed?

When you’re finished browsing, follow the link at the bottom of the cart to request a US quote and I’ll send you a secure payment link with everything included.