Tariff-Free U.S.-based Montessori Materials

We founded Essential Montessori in 2013 when Lea was pregnant with our first child. As we worked on setting up our first prepared environment in our home, I quickly realized that many of the Montessori materials I wanted were only available from countries outside of the U.S., and ordering them would entail heavy shipping costs, often greater than the price of them items I wanted in the first place. It was in light of this that I founded Essential Montessori, with the goal of crafting affordable Montessori materials that were made in the U.S., could be shipped at competitive prices, and were more accessible to those who wanted Montessori materials in this country.

Over a decade later, this issue of price has risen to a place of prominence again.

Whether you love them or hate them, it is fair to say that President Donald Trump’s 2025 tariffs have significantly changed the way we think about international shipping. Specifically, the elimination of the De Minimis Tariff Exemption means that small shipments from other countries will be significantly more expensive. Additionally, many countries have also stopped shipping to the U.S.

We are happy to share that these changes will not impact our prices or shipping. Our materials are made in our U.S.-based workshop using wood from the U.S. Whatever your political views may be, we are happy to be able to provide you, our U.S customers, with reasonably-priced Montessori materials made and shipped all within the U.S.

Proudly made in Massachusetts!