The Tea
The stuff nobody puts in a press release. Every Friday we spill what's actually happening in the global stationery market — the pricing mistakes, the retailer whispers, the shipping horror stories, and the wins worth copying.
Steeped weekly · 5 minute read · Free
☕ Friday · 5 minWhat's in the cup
Hot Gossip
Which overseas retailers are actually buying right now — and which ones ghost.
Price Check
Real landed-cost maths, tariff moves, and the margin traps we watch brands fall into.
Shipping Secrets
Carriers, customs codes and packaging tricks that quietly save thousands a year.
Trend Leaves
What buyers in the US and EU are searching for before it hits your feed.
One Small Move
A single 20-minute action you can take before Monday. No homework pile.
Reader Letters
Your questions, answered honestly — including the awkward ones about money.
A sip from last week
“A brand we work with was quoted ¥4,200 to ship one notebook to Texas. We changed two lines on the customs form and it became ¥1,650. Same box. Same carrier.”
Issue 34 — Shipping Secrets
Sipped by
- Studio founderssolo makers shipping their first overseas order
- Wholesale teamsopening US & EU accounts
- Curious lurkerswho forward it to their boss
Before you pour
- How often?
- Once a week, Friday morning JST. That's it.
- Is it in Japanese?
- Yes — pick your language above and we'll send that version.
- Is it free?
- Completely. Paid guides exist, but The Tea stays free.
Not sure where you stand globally? Take the GO Global Quiz