What about selling only to other countries?

[Former_Member]

I mean, I'm a newbie from Spain and the most of my few, few sales, are from european or canadian people, and also a lot of european hearts too.
Would I be out-of-law if I feature in my shop policies a warning about only shipping and selling to other countries but not the u.s. because of the CPSIA? Or these would be unfair?

I definately won't be able to pay for a laboratory in the u.s. to test my items, even if i want to...

[GriffithGardens]

I don't think it is unfair at all. I think you would have to comply with whatever country's laws that you are shipping to. Also when you set up the shipping for the item don't put the US. :)

[Former_Member]

The new shipping options that are in beta now will make it easy to do.

[Former_Member]

Not a bad idea. I'd say yes.

[Former_Member]

I don't see how it's unfair either. The US is shooting itself in the foot, no reason the rest of the world has to sell to us.
Personally I expect more crafters will do the same as you.

[Former_Member]

It's a pity, because I love to think that a girl will be wearing my handmade dress somewhere in Los Angeles or Ohio, but what else can I do? Stop selling? Make women instead of girl dresses?

[Former_Member]

I thought of this also, but for me...the cost of shipping overseas would probably be more than the item sold. It's still a consideration for me, but for now I've moved on to the adult market.

Good luck to you!

[Former_Member]

I have looked into going to Canada to sell my rocking horses. I only live 2 hrs from the border.

[elanknits]

The Canadian gov't is bringing in legislation to prevent the dumping of toys, etc, that don't meet the US standard here.

Hopefully it's more well thought out & won't effect handmade items, but no guarantees.

[Former_Member]

You actually cannot sell to a US buyer under this foolish law - a non-tested or non-compliant item cannot come into the country. It is considered a "hazardous substance" under this law.

The best thing is not include ship to the US in your listings and if you use Everywhere Else post that you will not accept US sales and will issue a refund in full and cancel the sale for anyone in the US who buys.

So sad...

[Former_Member]

A "hazardous substance" cannot leave this country.

[Former_Member]

I believe most US buyers will understand this law and not be annoyed to see no US shipping. Jane.

[Former_Member]

Meli, your dresses are so precious. It is a shame that we will not be able to buy them here in the US but most people will understand. Hopefully, there will be a solution in the near future.

[Former_Member]

Its not unfair. You don't have to ship to US if you don't want to. People should understand why if you tell them why.

[BeneathTheRowanTree]

"You actually cannot sell to a US buyer under this foolish law - a non-tested or non-compliant item cannot come into the country. It is considered a "hazardous substance" under this law."

I disagree. The item is potentially hazardous, and it is incumbent upon the US 'importer' to prove that it is or is not.

The law affects all items entering the US commerical market.

If a US buyer buys for their own use, they are fine~ why? Because the law reads that the IMPORTER must certify their products and in order for the IMPORTER (the US buyer) to do so, they must have the items in hand for testing, therefore they are not stopped/ turned back in the mail system.

SO, if a US buyer buys with no intent to re-sell, the chain ends there. If they buy wholesale etc. then they need to certify, and this is where it would start to come back to the international seller, in that if you items aren't compliant a wholesaler won't ant the extra expense.

Make sense?
I am in Canada~ it is illegal to sell some types of plastic drinking bottles. BUt I can buy them from a US based site and import them to myself without issue. I just can't sellthem legally in Canada.

This is a misconception that REALLY needs to get sorted for us outside of the US :)

[ANGELsTIME]

wow... that law is messed up!

[Former_Member]

BeneathTheRowanTree: my english knowledgements are so poor... did I understand it right? You mean, I can continue selling my dresses unless to wholesale buyers?

[Former_Member]

Wooww, I can't believe it, if that's true, would be a really strange situation: costumers from u.s. would be able to buy a baby dress from an international seller, but not from sellers from the u.s. That really son't makes sense...

[Former_Member]

NicoDesigns: thank you!

[Former_Member]

Right, the law is a mess here in the U.S. and even if it wasn't you still have the option of not selling to anyone you don't want to... good luck

[Former_Member]

It is illegal for any "hazardous substance" to be offered for sale in this country, or to enter the country.

[Former_Member]

Canada is ok with it.
I lived in the US for a bit, it was fabulous:>) Idaho
Anyhow, as far as the CPSIA - have they actually made their decision as of yet?
I do think it is awful for all etsiers in this regard and unfair that the small guy again loses. I hope it doesn't get passed.

HUGS Ember

[BeneathTheRowanTree]

"It is illegal for any "hazardous substance" to be offered for sale in this country, or to enter the country. "

BUT.
The way the law reads it has to be tested to be deemed hazardous, officially, and the law says the IMPORTER is responsible for all certificates etc. not the seller. So it has to reach the seller, and the items are NOT hazardous until proven so, only potentially.

[Former_Member]

I believe most US buyers will understand this law and not be annoyed to see no US shipping....

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Actually, I think you would be surprised at how many customers have no knowledge of this law and the ramifications.
:/

[KnittingCrab]

Yes, I agree, and have thought of this myself...I am definitely going to change my shipping in August on all of my baby dresses only, to ship out of the U.S....although I do believe the U.K. has a similar law in effect...I need to research it a little closer. Good Luck! Hand Made Rules.