A Note to Our US Community 🇺🇸

(Shipping, Duties & Your Experience)

Dear Journaling Friends,

To ensure the most seamless "mail day" experience for our US community, we have updated our shipping and pricing structure in response to the 2026 U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) regulations. We want your focus to remain on your planners and pens—not on paperwork and surprise bills.


Our "Worry-Free" Commitment

As of March 2026, all orders from Dear Dots to the United States are shipped DDP (Delivered Duty Paid).

  • Final Price at Checkout: The price you see is the final price. We have integrated all mandatory U.S. import duties, 2026 trade surcharges, and customs brokerage fees into our pricing and shipping rates.

  • No Surprise Bills: You will NOT be contacted by the courier (USPS, Stallion, or UPS) to pay additional taxes or handling fees before delivery. We have already taken care of the payment to U.S. Customs on your behalf.

  • Seamless Customs Clearance: We handle all the complex Harmonized System (HS) coding and "Country of Origin" declarations required for international brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why did prices change slightly?

A: The U.S. government recently suspended the "$800 De Minimis" exemption. This means that every commercial parcel—regardless of its value—is now subject to mandatory import duties and formal processing. To maintain a smooth experience, we’ve adjusted our US catalog by 18% to cover these fixed costs (typically a 15% comprehensive duty + brokerage fees).

Q. What is the shipping cost and threshold?

  • Free Standard Shipping: On all orders over $100 USD.

  • Flat Rate Shipping: $18 USD for orders under $100. (This flat rate includes both the international postage from our Toronto studio and the mandatory DDP customs processing fees.)

Q. How long will delivery take?

A: Due to the new requirement for every parcel to be digitally screened by U.S. Customs, please allow 5–10 business days for delivery. You will receive a tracking number as soon as your order is processed.

*Please note that the estimated delivery time-frame is provided as a reference only, as customs processing times are beyond our control and can vary.

Q. Why does my order tracking show that it is shipping from the Netherlands?

A: This is due to how our shipping carrier, PostNL, processes electronic tracking data. Once shipment information is created, PostNL's global system automatically logs the origin as the Netherlands (where their headquarters is located) before physical scans update.

Please be assured that your order is packaged and shipped directly from our location in Mississauga (Greater Toronto Area), Canada! Once your parcel is scanned in transit, the tracking will update accordingly.

Thank You for Your Support

Navigating cross-border trade has become more complex, but our goal remains the same: bringing the world’s most beautiful stationery to your desk with zero stress.

If you have any questions regarding a specific order or our new policies, please reach out to us at contact@deardots.net.

Happy Journaling!

The Dear Dots Team