International Shipping FAQ
Answers to our most commonly asked international shipping questions. If you do not find what you are looking for here please reach out to us by clicking here and we will be happy to help. ✝️🌸
Ordering and Shipping
Which countries do you ship to? We currently ship to Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. We do not ship to any other international destinations at this time.
Why do you only use UPS for international orders? We ship with UPS exclusively because reliability and full tracking matter to us — and to you. We experimented with lower-cost international shipping options early on and the experience was not acceptable. Packages were lost, tracking disappeared at the border and customers were left with no answers. UPS gives every international customer end-to-end visibility and dependable delivery. Our international shipping rates reflect that commitment.
How long will my international order take to arrive?
After 1-3 business days of processing your estimated delivery times are:
Canada: 3-7 business days
United Kingdom: 5-10 business days
Ireland: 6-12 business days
Germany: 5-10 business days
Netherlands: 5-10 business days
Sweden: 6-12 business days
Denmark: 6-12 business days
Norway: 6-12 business days
Australia: 6-12 business days
New Zealand: 7-14 business days
These are estimates only. Customs processing and carrier conditions can extend these timelines. We appreciate your patience.
Is free shipping available for international orders? Free shipping on orders over $75 is available for United States customers only. International shipping rates are calculated at checkout based on your country, order weight and dimensions.
Can I track my international order? Yes. Every international order ships with full UPS tracking. Your tracking number will be emailed to you as soon as your order ships. Track your package at ups.com at any time using the link in your confirmation email.
If tracking shows your package is at customs, please allow an additional 5-10 business days for clearance before contacting us. Customs processing times vary by country and season and are outside our control.
My tracking has not updated in several days — should I be concerned? It is normal for international tracking to pause for several days while a package moves between countries or processes through customs. If your tracking has shown no movement for more than 10 business days please contact us and we will do everything we can to help. Please keep in mind that once your order has left our hands, the responsibility for delivery lies with UPS.
Can you ship to a P.O. Box? UPS does not deliver to P.O. Boxes. All international orders must be shipped to a physical street address.
Duties, Taxes and Customs
Will I owe customs duties or import taxes on my order? Where applicable, estimated duties and taxes are displayed at checkout before you complete your purchase. However, the actual fees assessed by your country's customs authority when your package arrives may differ from the checkout estimate. Any difference in fees is outside our control and is the responsibility of the customer.
Here is a general overview by country:
Canada — Canada's duty-free threshold is C$20, meaning virtually all orders are subject to Canadian GST/HST. The federal rate is 5% plus provincial tax, totaling 12-15% depending on your province. We collect applicable tax at checkout where possible.
Australia — Australia's duty-free threshold is A$1,000. The vast majority of Prickly Petal orders will arrive completely duty-free. GST of 10% may apply to orders above A$1,000.
United Kingdom — For orders under £135 we collect UK VAT at checkout where possible. For orders over £135 import VAT and applicable duties are collected at the border by UPS before delivery.
New Zealand — New Zealand's duty-free threshold is NZ$1,000. Most orders arrive duty-free. GST of 15% applies to orders above NZ$1,000.
Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark — These countries are EU member states. For orders under €150 we collect VAT at checkout via the EU IOSS system where possible. For orders over €150 import VAT and applicable customs duties are collected at the border. Please also note that from July 2026 the EU applies a flat €3 customs fee per item on all shipments under €150 — this is reflected at checkout where possible but actual customs fees may vary.
Norway — Norway is not an EU member and operates its own VAT system at 25%. We collect Norwegian VAT at checkout via the VOEC scheme for applicable orders. Actual fees at customs may differ from the checkout estimate.
In all cases, any fees assessed by customs beyond what was collected at checkout are the sole responsibility of the customer. We strongly encourage every international customer to research their country's import rules before placing an order.
Can you mark my package as a gift or lower the declared value? No. We declare the full and accurate value on every international shipment and we cannot alter customs declarations under any circumstances. Falsifying customs documents is illegal under both US law and the laws of your country. Doing so can result in your package being seized and legal consequences for all parties involved. Please do not request this.
My package is being held at customs — what should I do? Customs holds are common and most resolve within a few business days without any action on your part. Here is what we recommend:
Check your UPS tracking for the specific reason your package is held. Watch your email — customs authorities sometimes contact recipients directly to request additional information or payment. Allow 5-10 business days for the hold to resolve before escalating. Contact UPS directly in your country as the recipient — you have the right to inquire about your shipment. If the hold extends beyond 10 business days with no resolution, contact us and we will assist where we are able.
Please be aware that Prickly Petal Boutique is not responsible for packages held or seized by customs. The outcome is in the hands of your country's customs authority.
My package was refused, seized or lost — will I receive a refund? No. Prickly Petal Boutique does not issue refunds for refused, seized, lost or stolen packages. International shipping carries inherent risks and by placing an international order you acknowledge and accept those risks. It is the responsibility of every international customer to understand their country's import rules and customs requirements before ordering. We encourage you to do this research before placing your order.
My order arrived damaged — what do I do? Please photograph both the damaged packaging and the products and email us within 2 days of delivery. Damage claims are reviewed on a case by case basis only. No shipping fees or duty fees will be refunded regardless of the outcome. Any resolution offered is entirely at our discretion.
Country-Specific Questions
I am in Canada — why is international shipping so expensive? All cross-border shipments to Canada require UPS customs clearance, which adds to the base shipping cost. Canada's very low C$20 duty-free threshold means virtually every package crossing into Canada is subject to customs processing. We recommend consolidating your purchases into a single order rather than placing multiple smaller orders to make the most of your shipping cost.
I am in Australia — are there restrictions on what I can order? Our acrylic beads, craft cord, beadable blanks, tassels and handmade sewn goods have no known import restrictions for Australian customers. However it is your responsibility to verify your country's current import regulations before placing an order. If you have questions about a specific product please contact us before ordering.
I am in the UK — how does Brexit affect my order? Post-Brexit, UK customers shopping from US stores are treated as international customers. For orders under £135 we collect UK VAT at checkout where possible so most customers will not face surprise charges at delivery. The UK currently maintains tariff-free imports on low-value goods until at least December 31, 2026. We will update this FAQ if UK customs rules change. It is always your responsibility to verify your country's current import rules before ordering.
I am in Germany — is there a German version of your website? Yes. Use the language selector at the top of the page to switch to German. 🌸
I am in an EU country — what is the €3 per item fee at checkout? From July 2026 the EU introduced a flat €3 customs duty per item on all shipments under €150. This applies to each individual item in your order, not per parcel. We collect this at checkout via our IOSS registration where possible. Please be aware that actual customs fees may differ from what is shown at checkout and any difference remains the responsibility of the customer.
I am in Norway — is Norway part of the EU for my order? Norway is not an EU member state and operates its own VAT system at a rate of 25%. We collect Norwegian VAT at checkout via the VOEC scheme for applicable orders. Any fees assessed at customs beyond the checkout amount remain the responsibility of the customer.
Contact Us
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We respond to all inquiries within 1-2 business days, Monday through Friday