EU Packaging Rules Push Small Tabletop RPG Publishers Out of the EU Market

The EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) came into force on August 12, replacing the 1994 directive. While aimed at reducing packaging waste, it's hitting small tabletop RPG publishers hard, with several already halting EU shipments.

The core problem is the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees, which vary wildly across the 27 member states. Each country has its own registration process, fee structures, and even annual charges. As Josh Fox of Black Armada put it, "Multiply [the fees] by 27 states, and you have a big problem."

Publishers like Black Armada, Genesis of Legend Publishing, and By Odin's Beard have temporarily stopped shipping to EU countries. Jason Pitre of Genesis of Legend says this could impact two-thirds of his customers, given the combined effect of PPWR, the US tariff situation, and the upcoming elimination of de minimis exemptions in 2026.

The regulation itself is also a maze of legalese, with ambiguous definitions of what counts as packaging. For example, shrink wrap is covered, but a board game box isn't, because it's integral to the product. This forces publishers to rethink packaging design, sometimes adding more packaging to comply.

Some are turning to distributors and fulfillment partners to navigate the complexity, but that's costly for small businesses. John Scott, a tabletop designer, notes that these partners are raising prices, and the costs will likely be passed to EU customers.

The industry is already reeling from tariffs and market volatility, and PPWR adds another layer of uncertainty. As Colin Le Sueur of By Odin's Beard says, "Best case scenario: this is much ado about nothing and things will largely continue as before, but it's yet one more strike against small businesses trying to sell things to EU customers."