CHOKKOmiilk Statement on US Shipping, Duties/Tariffs, and Updates
Last Update: 9/5/2025 10:10 AM
Not listed in images below: Item packaging will be updated to contain "Made In ____" countries of origin to remain customs compliant.
---
End of de minimis exemptions
It is with both a frustrated and heavy heart that we've received news that on July 30, 2025, the USA administration have moved to suspend (and eventually eliminate) de minimis shipment exemptions for shipments under $800, effective 12:01am on August 29, 2025. As a Canadian business, this will affect our US-based customers.
Going forward, goods will be a) subjected to an ad valorem duty equal to the tariff rate based on an product's country of origin if shipped with a courier (UPS/Fedex) or b) from August 29, 2025 to February 28, 2026, receive a duty fee, specific to each item, based on their country of origin's tariff rate if shipped with national postal carriers (USPS/Canada Post).
The temporary duty fees are as followed, based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariff rate based on country of origin:
| Less than 16% | USD $80 |
| 16% - 25% | USD $160 |
| Above 25% | USD $200 |
After February 28, 2026, all shipments will be subjected to the ad valorem duty structure.
You can find more information regarding these changes here.
Effect of New US Tariffs & CHOKKOmiilk
Online Shop
OUTDATED! SEE UPDATES ABOVE! As of 8/24/2025 @ 9:03pm:
Canada Post has suspended mail to the US effective 8/25/2025. Please see below for our action on different orders.
Ring & Non-Cosmetic Orders: We are currently looking into alternative carriers, preferably with Duties Delivered Prepaid (DDP) for orders only contain Non-Cosmetic/Ring orders. This will require some time so we can fully understand our shipping obligations. These items will also be marked as "Made in ____", dependent on the origin manufacturing country, as required to remain compliant with US import laws.
Cosmetic Orders: We still continue to ship to the USA on our Shopify shopfront, however we are temporarily moving to fixed rates for US-bound orders that contain cosmetic items, such as soaps and body goods/room sprays. These will be shipped via UPS, based on package size + weight, and customers will be responsible for the duties/taxes applied to their package.* At the moment, there is no current way to pre-pay duties for these packages containing cosmetic items. Items will also be labelled "Made in Canada" to remain compliant with US import laws..
Currently, there are no changes to Canadian or non-US shipments. I am looking into a low-cost shipping alternative within Canada. I am also looking into Canada market-exclusive offerings.
* Please note that this has always been a policy of our shop for all shipments.
In-Person Events & Purchasing
You've probably noticed that I have begun to include more popular fandoms like L&DS. These US changes have expedited our plans to return to tabling at conventions, and impact our lineup. I am hoping to move toward becoming a vendor at local conventions in Toronto. I am unable to apply as a vendor at Anime North (con & Halloween market) due to their vendor restrictions.
If you are in Toronto, Ontario, my shop is open for local meet-up in certain areas of the city. Please reach out to me via our Contact Form to arrange for a meet-up.
You may also use this form to place Special Orders for discontinued items or Event/Group favours. :)
A Message from the Owner
Hi! This is Itsu, the owner of CHOKKOmiilk here! I'd like to take a moment to be candid with you - before all else, I want to thank you for your support, whether you are a new, returning, or potential MiilkBud. My brand has grown so much since it began in 2021, and it has been nothing short of fun growing alongside you! As it stands, CHOKKOmiilk will continue to operate as normal, navigating this changing international environment together.
Many of my small business colleagues have felt the effects of these new border challenges: my fellow non-US friends are worried about the loss of our US customer base, while my US-based friends are worried about the increased cost of supplies or shipments. Small business owners everywhere are being squeezed out of our passion and jobs- so please be patient with us as we are frantically trying to put out fires placed on us due to the hostile environment of the US administration.
I've been very blessed that CHOKKOmiilk is a passion project of mine, and have the privilege to continue my business at a potentially reduced capacity. However, this is not the case for numerous other small business owners, who rely on their shops as their form of income. The reality is that my goods have always been a luxury- $13 CDN artisan soaps are not an essential, as that cost is a lot in this economy. Wholeheartedly, I do not expect anyone to go out of their way to order from me if they are struggling to pay for essentials.
While I would love and appreciate your support, I encourage that you support other small businesses who may need your patronage more for various reasons. If you do decide to support others for awhile, I won't take it personally! All of us, owners and customers alike, are basically collateral damage from an irresponsible administration. I hope that, at the end of all this, we can return to normal and meet each other again.
I encourage you to keep up with me on social media, as most of my updates will be found here!
Carrd: http://chokkomiilk.carrd.co
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/itsuff14.bsky.social
Shop-Only Twitter: https://x.com/CHOKKOmiilk
If you ever have any questions, please reach out to me.
Thank you so much, MiilkBuds, and I hope to see you soon!