Due to the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), I regret that I currently cannot offer shipping to other EU countries. Shipping within Germany continues as usual.
Honestly: The EU has done it again, with a regulation that is supposedly meant to help the environment, but in practice makes life unnecessarily difficult for small shops like mine. Instead of real progress, there's bureaucracy, registrations in 27 countries, and an export ban for retailers who simply want to sell fairly.
You really have to wonder who benefits from this - certainly not the environment, and definitely not the small businesses that put their heart and soul into their work. While large corporations can easily have their packaging certified across Europe, small retailers are suddenly expected to apply for license numbers for each individual country, fill out forms, and pay fees – just to send a single package to Greece.
This is not environmental protection; this is regulatory madness. Such decisions lead to more and more small shops having to give up, even though they form the backbone of trade.
Nevertheless, I’m sticking with it – with defiance, passion, and a good dose of humor. El Affo Toys remains in Germany, but the joy of collecting and sharing remains boundless – even if the EU is currently doing everything it can to put up new barriers.
Thank you for your understanding and for supporting my small shop.
Andreas - El Affo Toys