Italian Factory-Direct Shipping & Duty Changes FAQ

At L’Atelier Global, we’re proud to share authentic Italian leather bags and accessories, hand-stained and handcrafted in Tuscany by artisans carrying forward centuries of tradition. These heirloom pieces reflect the same artistry found in luxury houses—without inflated markups, thanks to our direct partnerships.

As of August 29, 2025, the U.S. ended the $800 “duty-free” allowance. This means all Italian leather bags and accessories are now subject to U.S. customs duty, regardless of value. FedEx may send you a duty invoice, but our promise is simple: your checkout price is your final cost—always.

✦ Your checkout price is your final cost—always. ✦

What changed?

As of August 2025, Italian leather bags and accessories generally fall within the duty ranges listed below. The standard HTS duty rate is 9%, while the new U.S.–EU reciprocal tariff agreement applies a 15% duty. FedEx invoices usually reflect this base duty plus brokerage and processing charges.

To keep things simple, we include estimated import fees in our retail prices. That means when you shop with us, the price you see already accounts for expected duty and processing—so your total stays transparent.

Does this affect all products?

No. These changes only apply to "direct from factory" Italian leather bags and accessories shipped from Tuscany. Items shipped from our warehouse are not affected.

What are my shipping options?

  • Factory-Direct from Italy (FedEx DDU)
    • Ships directly from Tuscany to your doorstep in ~3–7 days (Express) or up to 14 days (Standard).
    • FedEx lists you as the importer of record and may send you a duty invoice after delivery.
    • If you receive a bill, email it to dutyrefund@latelierglobal.com. We’ll pay it directly, or reimburse you if already paid.
  • Via L’Atelier Global (US Domestic Delivery)
    • Your bag first ships to our U.S. office, then to you.
    • Italy transit plus ~3–7 business days (carrier time estimates).
    • FedEx bills us as the importer—so you never receive a duty invoice.

Why does FedEx bill me directly on the factory-direct option?

With DDU shipping, FedEx must list the end customer as importer of record. That’s why they invoice you directly. Many of our artisan partners prefer DDU to avoid brokerage surcharges (~€18) that would otherwise raise prices. Our DDP option shifts the importer role to us, so FedEx bills us instead.

When will FedEx send the invoice?

Typically, FedEx sends duty invoices 5–15 business days after delivery, though sometimes it can take up to 30 days. Whether the bill arrives quickly or weeks later, we cover it in full. We are also working on methods to have these invoices sent directly to us, so in some cases you may not receive a bill at all.

Typical U.S. Customs Duty & Fees (by Category)

As of Aug 2025, Italian leather bags and accessories generally fall within the duty ranges listed below. 9% being standard HTS and 15% new duty agreement per Euro/USA Reciprocal tariffs. FedEx invoices usually reflect base duty plus brokerage and processing charges.

Fashion Bags & Wallets (~9-15% total + brokerage fees)

  • Handbags & Shoulder Bags
  • Wallets & Card Holders
  • Backpacks
  • Briefcases, Laptop Bags, Document Cases, Doctor Bags
  • Briefcase Backpacks (hybrid)

Travel Goods (~9-15% total + brokerage fees)

  • Duffle Bags & Travel Totes
  • Luggage & Trolley Cases
  • Toiletry Kits (Dopp Kits)
  • Jewelry Rolls

Desk & Small Leather Goods (~9-15% total + brokerage fees)

  • Valet Catchall Trays
  • Desk Pads
  • Mouse Pads

FedEx Import Fee Breakdown (Leather Bags & Accessories)

  • Duty: 9% - 15% (leather bags/accessories)
  • Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): 0.3464% of customs value, minimum $31.67
  • FedEx Brokerage: $25 + 2.5% of (Duty + MPF) ≈ ~$26–27 on small shipments

✦ More than logistics—each bag is hand-stained, vegetable-tanned, and crafted in Tuscany for lasting beauty. ✦

Looking Ahead

All factory-direct orders from Tuscany can ship under either Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU/DAP) or Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) — the choice is yours. With DDU, FedEx may bill you directly for duty and customs fees after delivery. With DDP, all duties and fees are prepaid, so you will never receive a FedEx invoice.

Why shop Italian bags with L’Atelier Global?

  • Direct artisan pricing — fair prices set with Tuscan makers, no luxury markup.
  • Factory-direct delivery — authentic, fast, and traceable from Italy.
  • Latest Italian fashion — you see and shop the newest collections first, straight from Tuscany.
  • High-quality vegetable-tanned leather — handcrafted in Tuscany using traditional 19th-century techniques for lasting beauty and durability.

✦ Your style journey begins here. ✦

We cover all of the above—your checkout price never increases.

WELCOME TO L'ATELIER GLOBAL ✨  

WHERE BEAUTY & DESIGN IS AGELESS ✨