Shop Temporarily Closed
As of 12 August 2026, the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules came into full effect. The goal is admirable, but the way it is structured makes cross-border shipping effectively impossible for a small independent artist.
Why is this a problem?
- 27 countries, 27 separate registrations. There is no single EU-wide system. Shipping one art print to France, Germany, and Spain legally requires registering with each country's individual packaging authority.
- Authorised representatives. Most EU member states require businesses not physically located in that country to hire a local "authorised representative" to process the registration - a recurring retainer fee per country, before a single sale is made.
- No small business exemption. Unlike VAT, there is no general EU-wide threshold for micro-businesses. The registration rules apply from your very first parcel, whether you ship 5 packages a year or 5,000.
Registering across 27 legal systems and hiring representatives in each country I ship to is simply not feasible for a one-person studio. Until there is a workable path forward - whether through an umbrella compliance service or a change in the rules - I cannot responsibly keep the shop running.
Interested in purchasing?
If you are interested in buying an original artwork or a print, please reach out directly via the contact page. I am happy to discuss availability and arrange a purchase while I sort out the packaging compliance.
I apologise for any inconvenience and look forward to reopening the shop as soon as possible.