Understanding Tariffs and Duty-Free Shipping Regions
At SONYA LEE, we’re committed to transparency—especially when it comes to cross-border costs. With recent U.S. policy changes, including the removal of the de minimis exemption, many customers are asking how this affects their orders. Here’s what you need to know.
Are U.S. Customers Now Charged Duties?
No. While the de minimis threshold (which previously exempted shipments under $800 USD from duties) has been eliminated, Canadian-made products like ours are still exempt from U.S. duties under the CUSMA/USMCA agreement.
All SONYA LEE handbags are handmade in Toronto, Canada —meaning they continue to qualify for duty-free entry into the United States, regardless of order value.
- At checkout, U.S. customers will now see $0.00 for duties owed
- In rare cases where a shipment is mistakenly assessed duties, our carrier partners will automatically dispute the charge
- We are actively working with multiple shipping companies to offer Duties Paid (DDP) labels, giving customers added peace of mind, even when exempt.
What About Taxes or Brokerage Fees?
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U.S. and international customers may still be responsible for state or local sales tax (VAT) at delivery
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We continue to cover brokerage fees for both free and paid shipping options—so you’ll never be charged hidden handling fees
Duty-Free Countries for Canadian Shipments
We proudly ship worldwide and many regions enjoy duty-free access under Canadian trade agreements:
North America
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United States (CUSMA/USMCA)
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Mexico (CUSMA/USMCA)
Europe
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European Union (CETA)
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United Kingdom (UK TCA)
Asia-Pacific
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Japan, Australia, New Zealand (CPTPP)
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South Korea (CKFTA)
South America
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Chile, Peru, Colombia
In Summary
Even as rules shift, our Canadian-made products remain duty-free for U.S. customers. We’re working hard to ensure a seamless delivery experience—so you can focus on your bag, not the border.
If you have questions or are ever mistakenly charged duties, reach out and our team will assist immediately.