Updated September 1, 2026
Dear Valued Customer,
As a Canadian retailer, I want US-based customers to know that the Trump administration’s tariff policies may affect your order.
The good news is that all packraft kits are exempt from tariffs, meaning you won’t have to pay any taxes to the US government when you receive your parcel from UPS. (These items come with a USMCA Certificate of Origin and are exempt from tariffs.)
Other items such as bulk fabric, valves, zippers, and so on, will be taxed by the US government at various rates (usually 10%).
As of August 2026, drybag kits and thigh strap kits are subject to a 50% tax.
These are not DIY Packraft’s policies, they’re orders from the desk of President Trump.
How it works:
Import duties, taxes, and tariffs imposed by the US government are always the responsibility of the importer (you, in this case), and must be paid before the item enters the USA. In practice, the fees are first paid by UPS, who will then contact you to recoup them before they deliver your parcel. If you refuse to pay UPS, your order will be returned to me and I will be charged for the return shipping, plus a processing fee, plus the tariff (UPS doesn’t get a refund from the US government if you don’t pay them, so they pass the bill on to me). If that happens, I will be forced to deduct all these costs from whatever refund you’re owed, so please prevent this situation by promptly paying UPS. Rarely, they make a mistake and charge you for something that should be exempt from tariffs. If that happens, pay them first and then apply for a refund after – if you try to get it sorted before you pay them, it will take too long and they’ll return the parcel to me before they figure out that you were right all along.
Note that I update this page whenever I learn new information, but in this fast-changing tariff environment I can’t guarantee that the above information is accurate.
I appreciate your understanding and continued support.
Sincerely,
Matt Pope
Owner
DIY Packraft