October

CREATOR

15 days ago

Project Update: Big shipping/tariff update, bags are in QC, more

You might remember from the last update that I said I was going to be switching to NextSmartShip for fulfillment due to tariffs! That is still the case. However now that I have gotten to use it for fulfilling other orders I have learned a lot more about how it works. So I want to update you some on that:

Packages from China to the US will be DDP, meaning Delivered Duties Paid. Tariffs will be paid for as part of the shipping cost based on current rates at the time your package ships. This means the tariffs will be paid before you receive it so you don't need to worry about it. You will still be paying for this fee as part of your shipping cost, but it will be less hassle for you.
However there may be other fees associated with receiving China-originating goods in the US other than tariffs. If there are any other fees, be they from the government or the carrier, they will be your responsibility. This has always been the case for international customers.

I am not an expert, and I can not advise you on any charges. I don't know if even said experts could. I've seen anticipated fees that range pretty wildly from nothing to nuts, I have not been able to find a~~n honest~~ full list, and no one seems to agree on what the numbers are or what goes in to the calculations. Trying to research the subject is an exhausting slog sifting through propaganda to find what they actually mean instead of them just reporting on what the manchild wants it to sound like it means. This isn't surprising, but still very disappointing.

I received news today that the main bags are in QC after being finished, so I have to make any shipping decision changes very soon.

This is ahead of schedule. As it stands right now, here is what I can offer for fulfillment to those in the US:

You pay for the tariffs as part of your shipping, accepting that there may (likely) be more fees when it arrives, and receive the bags as soon as they are ready to ship at all.
You receive credit to use on lairbrew.com that is equal to what you paid for fulfilled-from-China items, and only pay for shipping for the fulfilled-from-US items (if any.)
You wait until our initially anticipated fulfillment window, and if I have not successfully imported the bags by then and tariffs have not been lifted, you choose from the options above.

You have probably noticed that a refund is not a part of those choices. That is because I can't offer one. Not only did I spend every cent on production for what this campaign promised (that is the point of a crowdfunding campaign after all) but this tariff situation has put me in dire financial trouble in other ways. I want to do as right as I can for everyone without ended up homeless, because that doesn't serve any of us in a good way. I can only give you what I have, and I don't have money. I'm extremely sorry it isn't in the simplest way, but you will still be taken care of! Don't worry.

Some prototype photos:

I received the prototypes for all 3 bags! I really don't like the salmon chunk one so I am leaving that concept behind for now. However, I love how the egg and the steak turned out. There is one problem: they do not fit my newer phone in its protective case. I REALLY wanted them to have single-pocket-capacity but the shapes prevent that. These can still fit things like stickers, room keys, chapsticks, and business cards just fine, stuff you might struggle to find a place for when cosplaying or fursuiting. But a phone is a pretty essential item! Making them larger will make them unwieldy for their current purpose, too. A bit of a shame. Also the egg's yolk is printed mochi minky with mochi stuffing! It is fun to squish!

the photobombing fly in a single frame omg

I also received the prototypes for Mako Chow, Bear Chow, and Alley Chow, and OH BOY I CAN'T WAIT TO DO A PROPER PHOTOSHOOT WITH THOSE!! I have to model the bags so I always need to have my wife help out, but as soon as I have her able to help out on a sunny day before sunset I'm gonna. Bear Chow still turned out a little too big, but I couldn't be happier with the other 2.

Upcoming campaign plans:

I am moving final production for future projects out of China. This doesn't help with things that have already been ordered, but it does mean I can plan ahead. Because the money I use to order most projects without pre-order/crowdfunding required is tied up that means I'm going to have to switch to crowdfunding for, well. Everything.

So stay tuned for launch info on my upcoming campaign Big Brew Bash - Plush Party 2025.

While it doesn't revolve around a specific themed collection, it will be a project set up with the benefit of knowing the what, when and where of tariffs. The worst part about all of this in relation to producing designs has been the combination of not having the time or clear knowledge to properly react. If it becomes clear that something like this could happen again before the launch date, I will simply be pulling the plug.

Here are some completed prototypes that will be in the lineup, though this is not all:

And the one I'm personally the most excited for, Udon the 6 foot long dragon!

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