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From Cart to Customs: The Tariff Change That Could Hit Your Wallet
- Aug 15
- 3 min read
What's Inside
New Tariffs Could Make Your Designer Bag More Expensive After August 29th
If you’ve been eyeing that designer handbag in your online cart, you might want to hit “buy” sooner rather than later. A new tariff change taking effect after August 29th could mean you’re in for a surprise at checkout—or even later, when your package arrives. Here’s how this quiet policy shift could affect your wallet, and how different brands are handling it.
What’s Changing: The End of the $800 “De Minimis” Rule
Until now, U.S. shoppers enjoyed a generous rule known as the “de minimis” exemption—if your imported purchase was under $800, it skipped through customs without extra fees. But with the change coming after August 29th, many European brands will be subject to a 15% tariff on goods shipped into the U.S.
The big question? Who’s paying that fee—you, or the brand? The answer depends entirely on how each company chooses to handle it.
How Brands Are Adapting (and What It Means for You)
Polène: A Subtle Heads-Up
When checking out with Polène right now, you might see a quiet note saying “You may be subject to customs fees.” It’s a gentle warning, but not a guarantee. At the time of this writing (showing date and time is crucial for accuracy), there’s no automatic tariff calculation at checkout. That could change quickly in the coming weeks as brands scramble to adapt.
Mulberry: Full Transparency at Checkout
Mulberry takes a more straightforward approach. Currently, their checkout page shows “Customs tax: not applicable.” However, the infrastructure is clearly in place to switch it on after August 29th. This means that when the tariffs kick in, customers will likely see the customs fee right at checkout—eliminating the unpleasant surprise of an unexpected bill upon delivery.
RSVP: Building the Tariff Into the Price
Some brands, like RSVP, are opting for a different strategy: raising prices ahead of time. Earlier this week, U.S. customers received an email announcing a 10% price increase effective September 1st—specifically to cover customs costs. This way, all fees are baked into the final price, and what you see at checkout is truly what you pay.
How We’re Handling It With My Brands
For STOW London, which ships directly from our workshop in Ubrique, Spain, we will calculate the customs tax at checkout—just like sales tax—so customers know exactly what they’re paying. Since most orders are on preorder and will ship after August 29th, this system goes live today.
For PEGAI and Atelier PEGAI, which are U.S.-based but import from Spain, we’re implementing a 10% across-the-board price increase starting August 29th. This will allow us to absorb the higher import costs while still managing all customs operations behind the scenes—keeping the buying experience smooth and transparent.
Our approach is simple: no hidden fees, no surprise bills, just honest pricing.
What You Should Do Before the Change
From now until the end of August, take a close look at the fine print when shopping from overseas brands. Check for customs fee disclosures at checkout and inspect the line items carefully. Policies could change at any moment in this short window, so knowing what’s included—and what isn’t—can save you from an unwelcome surprise.
Bottom Line: The designer bag market in the U.S. is about to see a pricing shake-up, not because brands are suddenly getting more expensive, but because the tariff safety net is disappearing. Whether the fee shows up as a separate customs charge or is quietly rolled into the retail price, it’s your money on the line.
As always, stay informed, shop smart, and—until next time—stay leathertained.