We Are So Sorry
We just love it: the USA, the flag. And the US anthem, sung by the Cactus Cuties and other artists. All that still today produces goose bumps on our skin. Even after decades and our "part time emigration" during so many winters in the past. © Pixabay.
Upfront, I want to let you – dear valued Bach fan – know, that my husband and I just love the USA. And we love the US people, in particular – of course – our friends and family members there. For that reason, it’s in particular more than disappointing, that we can not fulfill orders and wishes anymore, that arrived from the USA.
Additionally, we are not able to follow the turnings in the changing rules and laws that quick in my shop. There is a constant change on a – felt – daily basis. The US government, US courts and our DHL German Postal Service – like so many other postal services all over the world – make it unreasonable, to catch up with a daily update in the delivery terms. It would be hours of work. So we decided for the current procedure.
Why Is That So?
It’s for four reasons, both waying dramatically on our non-profit Bach mission philosophy.
St. Petersburg, our favorite place in the US, better, in Florida. It's our love. Many friends and family live in Florida and the US. We love them and they love us back. The photo above shows the state-of-the-art Salvador Dalí Museum in downtown St. Petersburg.
My shop is the very place for high-quality Bach related items. However, right now all these gems are – for US citizens – not available currently. That is thanks to the present US tariff rules: There are millions of teeny tiny businesses, which are hit with 4,000 to 200 % tariffs*. There are millions of miniature shops and sellers on Etsy, Amazon and Ebay that suffer from this. Many of them will even go out of business for that reason. They are all urged to calculate and add 4,000 % to 200 % tariff. Compared to 15 % for goods from the EU, 39 % from Switzerland and 50 % from Brazil (... as of September 2025). It's the opposite of a loophole. It is a rare "punishment", US government probably considers "collateral damage". Under the so-called de minimis rule goods smaller than $ 800 were tax-free to the US, before.
A Tariff of 4,000 % ... Are We Kidding?
Honestly, no kidding. If you ordered a package of Bach paper tissues, the cost actually was a tiny € 1.95 which is around the same in US-Dollars. Until the tariff fiasco began, it was an affordable price for a "tiny hello" to each of your folks, who loves Bach and loves you.
However, what you probably did not know, as it is of great meaning only for small business owners: The US cancelled the so-called "De Minimis" law and rule. This meant, below $ 800 merchandise value, it was just not worth the paperwork and man power to tariff each purchase: There was zero tariff. We could deal with the new situation, if from today there would be "only" an additional tariff of 15 % (... EU), even 39 % (... like Switzerland) or a whopping 50 % (... like Brazil).
However, that change came with a "double whammy", targeting the smallest of the smallest businesses. There is a flat $ 80 minimum tariff meanwhile for the time and effort of the income tax authorities. Starting with a $ 1 order. If you check, on how much a $ 1.95* paper issue would cost with this flat fee, you find out, that it is 4,000 %.
The purchase price is some $ 1.95*. Tariff on it is a flat $ 80 / 4,000 %. For that reason, it would cost you some whopping $ 81.95*. Maybe plus sales tax, maybe plus USPS handling fee.
The Changes of Tariff Situations with No Warning at All
The changes with tariffs on products from nations from all over the world currently is so dramatically quick, that I would have to check on my conditions and prices for the US market every week. And then adapt the numbers and prices in my store. That is unreasonable and makes no economic sense. Let’s say, you order one package of paper tissue, the profit for our Bach Mission is $ 1. For this maybe one Dollar profit for our mission, we would have to check and adapt and calculate, what is the very amount with your purchase. Upfront and each week! Plus changing the conditions in my shop then. Plus, handling your buy. That makes no sense at all.
The purchase price of one tiny Bach bust is some $ 8.95*. Tariff on it is $ 80 / 900 % flat. For that reason, it would cost you some whopping $ 88.95*. Maybe plus sales tax, maybe plus USPS handling fee.
The Shipping Process Is 100 Percent at Our Risk
Before the worldwide tariff turmoil started in January 2025, your purchase was a "person to person" deal. You ordered, I sent it, you received it. With the new tariff situation, my package to you first has to experience the probably very slow "income authority tariff process". That is slow, because of the sheer effort due to the quantity. After that, it’s shipped to your closest – or not so close – USPS facility. They hand you the package, when you hand them the full payment. Plus maybe sales tax (… not in the past) plus maybe additional USPS handling fee, that might be between $ 6 and 12 $ (… not our guess), which we don’t know upfront.
Because you might have not read about these catastrophic side effects, before you ordered, you only realize, that you bought one unit of paper tissue not for $ 1.95 plus shipping fee, but for $ 1.95 plus shipping fee, plus tariff, plus sales tax, plus USPS local fee. So … you might decide to reject to accept the package at your USPS location. What happens then? They could trash it, on our expense? Not at all. They don’t even allow a hint: „Don’t send back, but trash the whole thing“. It is sent back to me. And I have to pay all the costs. That would mean a financial nightmare. Plus, it would mean an emotional rollercoaster.
Purchase price is some $ 13.90*. Tariff on it is $ 80 / 575 %, flat. For that reason, it would cost you some whopping $ 93.90*. Maybe plus sales tax, maybe plus USPS handling fee.
We Pay All, No Matter What
You decide, maybe because ordering a calendar for $ 13.90 creates "only" 575 % tariff, that it's worth it, and you are willing to pay all the tariffs and fees. For that reason and situation, we might make a contract, that excludes your rejection. Then however, in case of doubt, this mutual agreement, even with a contract between us, is not valid. As the law says, we both are not allowed "to mutually circumvent that customer protection law". So this way is also no option.
A print on demand Bach calendar in the huge size of 16.5 inch x 23.4 inch is a purchase price of some $ 49,90*. Tariff on it is $ 80 / 160 %, flat. For that reason, it would cost you some whopping $ 129.90*. Maybe plus sales tax, maybe plus USPS handling fee.
ChatGPT Informs You
To learn more about that new reality or to check on the truth of my statements, please google "De Minimis". Or ask ChatGPT whether it’s true that a small package of paper tissue really ends up with a 4,000 % tariff.
I am so sorry for that, warmest regards
Renate Bach
* Keep in mind that the purchase prices are named "approximately", because I did the calculation on the basis of € 1 is $ € 1 on this page. This changes every single day.
Twelve times Johann Sebastian Bach. Free after Elias Gottlob Haußman. In twelve different painting styles. Please find the title page above the single month sheets on this page.
Renate Bach Publishing "Bach 4 You" – Bildstrasse 25, 74223 Flein / Germany – Phone: +49 7131 576761 – info (at) bach4you.de