Universal Halloween Horror Nights & Scary New Shipping Rules: Etsy Sellers in Trouble

On this week’s episode of Have Coffee Will Travel, we’re diving into both spooky thrills and some truly frightening news for small business owners. First, we share our excitement for our upcoming trip to Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando. From haunted houses to terrifying scare zones, we talk about what we’re most looking forward to at one of the biggest Halloween events in the world.

But the real horror this week isn’t in Orlando — it’s in Washington. The U.S. government has officially removed the de minimis exemption for international packages, a change that directly impacts Canadian sellers like us. Up until now, we’ve been able to ship items from our Etsy shop to American buyers without excessive red tape. That market accounted for about 75% of our business. With this new policy, however, it’s no longer possible to sell to our U.S. customers in a simple or affordable way.

We break down what this means for us as Etsy sellers, how it could affect countless other small businesses across Canada and beyond, and why buyers in the States might also feel the sting. It’s a frustrating change, and one that could reshape the way cross-border e-commerce works for makers, collectors, and entrepreneurs.

To lighten things up, we also chat about movies we’ve recently watched and why film is such a comforting escape when the real world gets a little too overwhelming.

Whether you’re here for the travel talk, the business insights, or just to hear about two Canadians juggling coffee, collectibles, and a love of pop culture — this episode has a little something for everyone.

Grab your coffee and join us for a conversation that’s equal parts spooky, frustrating, and fun.

This week's podcast promo: Luke Skis Animation and Stuff

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