To all my customers and friends across Europe,

I am writing this with a very heavy heart.

From 11 August 2026, I am having to temporarily pause shipping to countries within the European Union.

This is not a decision I have made because I no longer want to sell to Europe. Quite the opposite. For many years, I have been very lucky to have customers across Europe who have chosen to buy my handmade jewellery. I have sent thousands of parcels from my studio in the UK to customers across Europe, and I have loved knowing that my jewellery has become part of so many special moments and personal stories.

I very much want to continue sending my jewellery to Europe.

Why is EU shipping being paused?

New EU packaging rules are making this much more difficult for very small businesses like mine.

The new requirements can involve registration, reporting and fees in different EU countries. For a micro-business sending small quantities of jewellery, these costs and administrative requirements can be very difficult to manage.

I have spent a great deal of time trying to understand the requirements and find a practical, affordable and compliant way to continue shipping to the EU.

At the moment, I have not found a solution that works for a business of my size.

This is not my choice.

I am not choosing to stop selling to my European customers.

I fully understand the importance of reducing packaging waste and improving recycling across Europe. I support these aims.

But there needs to be a simple and proportionate way for micro-businesses and independent makers to comply.

A small jewellery maker sending an occasional handcrafted parcel should not have to navigate different packaging systems in different countries simply to sell to a customer in Europe.

I believe there should be a practical solution, such as a meaningful de minimis exemption for micro-businesses or a genuinely simple EU-wide One Stop Shop.

Without a solution like this, rules intended to improve packaging sustainability risk making it impossible for many small independent businesses to continue selling to customers in the EU.

To my European customers

If you have bought from me over the years, followed my work, recommended me to friends, or simply enjoyed seeing my jewellery, thank you.

I am very sorry that I have had to put EU shipping on hold. I am continuing to look for a solution that will allow me to return to shipping to the EU in a way that is compliant, affordable and realistic for a tiny independent business.

I very much hope to be able to ship to the EU again soon.

Please consider adding your voice

If you are in the EU and feel that the current system makes it unnecessarily difficult for small businesses to trade across European borders, you can make your voice heard.

Have Your Say – European Commission

Share your feedback with the European Commission →

Petition: Stop Destroying EU Micro-Businesses

This petition calls for a more proportionate approach to cross-border EPR requirements for micro-businesses.

Sign the petition →

If you feel strongly about this, I would be incredibly grateful if you would take a few minutes to support these initiatives.

Small independent businesses matter. Handmade businesses matter. I hope there can be a way for us to continue trading across borders without disproportionate bureaucracy making it impossible.

With very best wishes,

Diana
Ice Skating Jewellery
Handmade in the UK

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