Updated European Sales Policy for Louise Brook Creative & Louise Brook Wildlife
In response to the new EU General Product Safety Regulations.
Effective 13th December 2024
The Problem
I am saddened to announce that as of the 13th of December, due to the new EU General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR) I will no longer be able to sell or ship my products to the EU. This new European Sales Policy applies to all of my products, across both my businesses (Louise Brook Creative & Louise Brook Wildlife) and website shops.
GPSR is a little publicised consequence of Brexit, which makes it nearly impossible for small businesses such as mine to comply with the new rules to export to the EU. While (I believe) there is little (or no) inherent risk in a mug or card, I would need to have extensive product safety information, batch numbers for my products and, most onerous and costly of all, an authorised representative in the EU to handle any customs or product safety queries.
So, like the majority of UK small businesses that I am aware of, I will be ceasing any sales to Europe as of the 13th of December. Compliance is not economically viable and the costs and risks of non compliance are simply too great (up to $20,000 and the threat of imprisonment).
The Practicalities
As of the 13th of December I will be temporarily disabling International Shipping completely on my website. This is simply because there is no easy way to just exclude the EU on my website platform.
I will look to add back other shipping zones such as the US, Canada, Australia and other non EU countries after Christmas, when I have more time to set up individual shipping profiles behind the scenes.
Northern Ireland is bizarrely included in this legislation, but is also included in the default UK shipping category on my website. Regretfully, I will need to manually cancel and refund these orders, as an interim solution.
If you are an EU customer that has been tempted to purchase from my shop, then I urge you to do so now, while I am still able to serve you.
If you are based overseas, not in the EU, and wish to place an order, please email me at hello@louisebrookcreative.com and I will be happy to help, calculating the shipping costs and either setting up a bespoke order for you, or managing sale and payment offline (via bank transfer etc).
The Future?
I am aware that numerous art organisations, including the SAA and AAA, are urgently looking into whether art and art merchandise can be considered exempt. I am grateful for these efforts and keeping everything crossed that they can find a way. If there is any movement in this area then I will of course review my policies again.
I truly hope that this is a suspension of sales whilst politicians and lawyers find sensible and practical solutions, rather than a complete and permanent cessation.
In Summary
All sales and shipping to the European Union (EU) will cease as of the 13th December 2024
This applies to all products, across both businesses (Louise Brook Creative & Louise Brook Wildlife) and both website shops (Abstract Shop & Wildlife Shop)
International shipping will be disabled on my website on 13th December 2024.
In early 2025 I will look to add back overseas shipping zones that are outside the EU, for example the USA, Canada, Australia etc.
In the meantime, overseas customers outside of the EU should contact me on hello@louisebrookcreative.com to purchase. I will be more than happy to find a way to serve you.
I can only offer my heartfelt apologies for all the inconvenience that this will cause for my customers.
This is such a blow for UK small businesses, that I can only imagine how many may not survive the advent of this crazy, misplaced and ill communicated legislation.
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