As of August 29, 2025, the United States government has introduced new tariff collection regulations that impact how parcels are imported. These changes affect all international retailers — including us — and we want to ensure you’re fully informed before placing an order.
What’s Changed?
Previously, import duties (taxes) on international goods were collected upon arrival in the United States. However, under the new rules, duties must be paid before parcels can enter the country. Most national postal services — including Australia Post — don’t have the systems in place to remit taxes directly to the US government at the time of sending.
As a result: Australia Post has suspended all parcel deliveries to the USA.
This is not unique to Australia Post — many regular postal services globally are facing similar disruptions.
What Does This Mean for You?
To continue delivering orders to our customers in the United States, we now exclusively ship to the USA via DHL Express, a private courier service equipped to handle the new regulations.
Here’s what to expect:
✅ 1. Reliable, Fast Delivery
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All USA-bound parcels will be sent via DHL Express
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Delivery time: 4–5 business days
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Fully tracked and insured
💸 2. Duties Payable on Arrival
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Your parcel will be shipped duties unpaid
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You (the customer) will be contacted by DHL to pay the applicable import duties and taxes before your parcel is delivered
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Refusal to pay will result in the parcel being destroyed, and the purchase will be considered abandoned (no refunds will be provided)
What Are the Duties?
Most of our pieces are handmade in the Philippines, and under US import law, the duty rate for garments from the Philippines is currently 19%.
We take care to ensure our Filipiniana is exclusively made in the Philippines, specifically:
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Barong Tagalog
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Mestiza Boleros
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Filipiniana dresses (with butterfly sleeves)
Some items (like a few gowns and accessories) are made in other countries, and duty rates may vary depending on their country of origin. You’ll find this info on each product page — we recommend checking before placing your order.
In Summary
| Shipping Method | Courier Only (DHL Express) |
|---|---|
| Estimated Delivery | 4–5 Business Days |
| Duties & Taxes | Paid by Customer on Arrival |
| Estimated Tax Rate | 19% for PH-made items |
| Refunds on Refusal | Not eligible (marked abandoned) |
Questions?
We’re here to help. If you have questions about a specific item’s origin, expected duty, or your delivery options, feel free to contact us using the store chat before placing your order. We typically respond within 1 business day.
Thank you for your understanding, and for continuing to support Filipino craftsmanship through these unexpected changes.
