The Challenges of Selling Handmade Abroad
During the last craft fair, several visitors asked me the same question: “Do you sell your work online?”
The answer isn’t simple. Some of my creations are available through local platforms in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, but shipping is now limited to these two countries.
This wasn’t always the case. In the past, I shipped to customers as far away as Japan, Australia, the United States, and many corners of Europe. So, what changed? Why don’t I have a global shop on my website anymore? Let me explain.
From Global to Local: Why I No Longer Ship Handmade Jewelry Internationally
The Experiment with International Shipping
In 2019, I began offering my first works for sale on the largest Slovak handmade platform, Sashe.sk. A year later, I joined its Czech counterpart, Fler.cz, and eventually opened a shop on Etsy.
Back then, the handmade market was thriving. I didn’t even need social media to find customers—sales came naturally, and I could focus on improving my craft.
Then came Covid-19. Countries introduced strict measures to limit the spread of the virus. International shipping became unpredictable—sometimes packages were delayed for months, other times they never arrived. Faced with so much uncertainty, I temporarily stopped shipping overseas.
When restrictions were lifted, I resumed international orders. But new obstacles soon appeared.
EU Regulations and Packaging Laws
The LUCID Packaging Register in Germany was just the beginning. Similar programs started appearing across Europe, each requiring separate registration, fees, and compliance steps.
For a small artisan business, it wasn’t just extra paperwork—it was an entirely new layer of costs and administration.
I decided to stop shipping within the EU (outside Slovakia and the Czech Republic) and focused on the U.S. via Etsy for a short while longer. But by then, the post-pandemic global slowdown and rising inflation had started to change customer habits. The demand for handmade products, which had surged in the years before the pandemic, began to wane.
In 2024, I gave up. I completely stopped international shipments and focused on something else.
2025 Update: Tariffs, Brexit Aftershocks, and New Safety Rules
2025 arrived with yet another round of challenges for anyone selling handmade products overseas:
New tariffs increasing the price for buyers.
Stricter customs regulations and longer inspections.
Updated packaging compliance requirements in multiple countries.
The EU’s new General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), adding extra testing and documentation for certain handmade items.
An unpredictable U.S. tariff policy, with sudden rate changes that make long-term pricing impossible to plan.
For big companies, these costs are absorbed across thousands of products. For a handmade artist like me—where every piece is unique—each additional euro for tariffs, testing, or registration directly impacts the final price.
These changes only confirmed what I had already begun to feel: selling locally isn’t just easier, it’s smarter and more sustainable.
My Website’s Role Has Changed
During Covid, I launched my first website with an online shop. While it generated some sales, most visitors came from outside my target shipping area. The numbers told me something important: my site could serve a better purpose.
The second version of my website, now in English, focuses on sharing my knowledge of the micro macramé technique rather than selling physical products internationally.
Shop Local: Where to Find My Work
I now sell exclusively on Sashe.sk — a platform tailored for Slovak and Czech customers. They provide:
Local languages and currencies
Familiar payment methods
Reliable domestic shipping options
Meet Me in Person
Occasionally, you can also find me at local craft fairs, where I showcase my latest designs and connect with customers face-to-face.
You can see photos and tips for fellow crafters in this blog post. If you happen to visit, stop by, say hello, and experience my work up close!
Final Thoughts
The world of handmade sales has changed dramatically over the last few years. From pandemic restrictions to EU packaging laws, Brexit’s ripple effects, the new GPSR rules, unpredictable U.S. tariffs, and shifting demand—many factors are now out of an artisan’s control.
By focusing on Slovakia and the Czech Republic, I can offer my customers fair pricing, reliable delivery, and a personal connection that isn’t lost in the maze of international logistics.
If you’d like to order something from my current collection or have a question, feel free to email me at hello@ewimacrame.com
Summary
🌍 From Global to Local – Now shipping only within Slovakia & Czech Republic.
📦 Shipping Challenges – Covid, delays, and rising costs changed everything.
🏛 Regulations & Fees – EU packaging laws, Brexit rules, GPSR compliance.
📉 Changing Demand – Post-pandemic slowdown reduced handmade sales.
🌐 Website Focus – Now sharing knowledge instead of selling abroad.
🛍 Where to Buy – Available on Sashe.sk
🎪 Meet Me – Visit me at local craft fairs.
