Welcome to our newly opened 3D printing store! Here you will find first-class ABS components and fast delivery. Take advantage of free shipping in Germany from €100 and internationally from €150.
PPWR
Due to the strict bureaucratic requirements of the new EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR), we are unfortunately no longer able to ship directly to other EU countries.
Why We Can No Longer Ship Directly to Other EU Countries
You may have wondered why you can no longer select a shipping address in another EU country (such as Austria, France, or the Netherlands) during the ordering process. We would like to explain transparently why we felt compelled to take this step.
What is the PPWR?
The “Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation” (PPWR) is a new EU packaging regulation that will take effect in August 2026. It establishes uniform rules across Europe regarding the requirements for packaging and how its disposal is to be financed.
The good idea behind it
The underlying principle of the regulation is absolutely correct and important: The EU aims to reduce the massive amounts of packaging waste, promote the circular economy through fully recyclable materials, and protect the environment. As a company committed to sustainability, we fully support these goals.
The bureaucratic and economic challenge for small retailers
The bureaucratic and economic problem for small retailers: Unfortunately, the EU has designed the regulation in such a way that it is simply impossible for small online shops, artisans, and family-run businesses to implement it in their day-to-day operations:
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No de minimis threshold:
The extremely strict rules apply starting with the very first package. Legally, it makes no difference whether a large corporation ships millions of packages or we send a single handmade product across the border.
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The requirement for an authorized representative (the fixed-cost trap):
There is no central EU registry. Instead, the law requires us to appoint a legally authorized representative based in each individual EU destination country. These agencies charge fixed annual fees ranging from several hundred to a thousand euros per country—completely independent of our actual sales in that country.
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Bureaucratic Overkill:
We would have to register in 26 different countries in their respective national languages, report exact gram weights for boxes and tape on a monthly basis, and provide country-specific documentation. As a small team, we simply cannot afford this administrative burden in terms of time and personnel.
The resulting consequences
To protect ourselves from fines and warnings that could threaten our very existence, we had to stop direct international shipping within the EU. We hope that the relevant law will be revised soon and that the restrictions will be eased.
Shipping to countries outside the European Union will continue as usual.
The Limited Detour (or Roundabout)
We have spent the last few days trying to find solutions to the challenges described above for all EU customers, but unfortunately we have been unsuccessful.
If you live in a neighboring EU country, you can use a German package forwarding service. They will provide you with a German shipping address to which we can send your package as usual and in full compliance with the law. The package forwarding service will then handle shipping to your home address.
Thank you very much for your understanding and loyalty!
