As of June 19th 2026, ALL sales to the EU will be suspended.

[FmGrowit]

I can't even imagine the shitshow this would turn into and if I don't play nice, Shopify will hold my deposits for a year. (insert Johnny Cash flipping the bird here). People will do anything to get off being responsible for their own actions.

​ New EU withdrawal button required by June 19, 2026 We're writing to let you know about a new EU regulation that affects e-commerce merchants with buyers based in the EU. We have outlined steps to help with compliance so you can be successful everywhere you sell. New features to help with compliance are being released next week ahead of the deadline. What's happening Starting June 19, 2026, EU Directive 2023/2673 requires all online stores selling to EU buyers to provide a clearly visible 'withdrawal button', an easy way for buyers to exercise their existing 14-day right of withdrawal (also known as the 'cooling-off period'). What compliance looks like​ A clearly labeled button or link on your store that buyers can easily access​ A two-step confirmation process where the buyer provides their name and order reference​ An automatic confirmation email sent to the buyer​ What happens if you don't comply After June 19, merchants without a compliant withdrawal feature risk:​ Legal warnings​ Fines (up to 4% of annual turnover in some member states)​ Extended withdrawal period; the 14-day period may be extended to 12 months and 14 days​ New features to help you be compliant coming next week​ We're introducing cancellation rules and a self-serve flow - coming on June 17 - which you can enable to allow your buyers to request cancellations for items before they are fulfilled. You will be able to view and process these requests in your admin, and we will inform you through the admin when this feature is ready. Self-serve returns functionality already exists today, allowing buyers to request returns for items that have been fulfilled. Alternatively, you have several other options to be ready by June 19:​ Add a withdrawal button and form to your storefront yourself. Ensure the flow includes the two-step confirmation and the automatic confirmation email required by the directive.​ Install a third-party app. There are several apps on the Shopify App Store that can help you get set up today.​ ​ For either option, we recommend consulting local counsel to learn more about the exemptions and to ensure your solution meets your legal obligations. Resources:​ EU Consumer Rights — Cooling-off period (Your Europe)​ EU Directive 2023/2673 (EUR-Lex)​ Shopify Help Center​ If you have questions, contact Shopify Support.​ ​ ​ ​ 15‍1 O'Con‍nor Str‍eet, Gro‍und fl‍oor, Ot‍tawa ON, K2P 2L8

 

[DaleB]

So... in effect, anyone shipping to EU needs to not only do that, but hold the order for 15 days before fulfilling. At least that's ow I read it. Customer places an order, you ship, they cancel it two weeks later, and you're out round-trip shipping and likely customs fees as well.

I ran an online store for a number of years and shipped products all over the world. If I still owned that company I'd pull the plug on all EU sales, too. It's a head-scratcher for sure.

 

[Wombat_smokes]

While I agree that buyer's remorse is a thing, buying high quality whole leaf tobacco ain't something to regret.

My condolences to our friends in the EU, and for international commerce to have become so complicated.

 

[Rotgut]

Aren't tobacco leaves considered agricultural products so they're considered perishable goods and the 14 day cooling off period doesn't apply?

 

[TigerTom]

So... in effect, anyone shipping to EU needs to not only do that, but hold the order for 15 days before fulfilling. At least that's ow I read it. Customer places an order, you ship, they cancel it two weeks later, and you're out round-trip shipping and likely customs fees as well.

I ran an online store for a number of years and shipped products all over the world. If I still owned that company I'd pull the plug on all EU sales, too. It's a head-scratcher for sure.

Not quite.

This is a snippet from the EU's explanation:

"If you buy a product or service online, by phone or from a seller at your doorstep (in legal terms a “distance contract” or “off-premises contract”) you have the right to withdraw. This means you can cancel the contract within 14 days without providing any justification (the "cooling-off period"). For goods this means 14 days from the date of delivery, for services 14 days after the day the contract was agreed. If the cooling-off period expires on a non-working day, your deadline is extended until the next working day." (emphasis added in italics)

Once the customer receives the product, they have 14 days to change their mind and return it for any reason.

For return shipping:

"If you decide to return the product within the 14-day cooling period, you are responsible for the costs of postage and packaging. The only exceptions: if the seller offers to pay, or if the seller fails to inform you about those costs before you buy."

Nothing was mentioned about customs fees.

All in all, a PITA for anyone selling online to or within the EU.