Frequently Asked Questions

We ship worldwide and do not mark up carrier rates. Costs vary by destination, service, and weight. To see your exact rate, begin checkout—no payment is required to view a live quote.

Typical U.S. example: One Panama hat sent via our Florida handoff (economy) is usually about $35. DHL Express Direct from Ecuador is faster and is quoted live at checkout.

How Panama hats are classified: Most of our hats fall under HTSUS 6504.00.30 (sewed, vegetable fiber). The standard U.S. import duty is about 6% of the goods value.

What changed recently: The U.S. has suspended duty-free “de minimis” treatment for most low-value shipments. That means even small accessory orders can be assessed normal duty plus a carrier processing/advancement fee at delivery.

“USA Duty Paid” promo: When this appears at checkout, we cover the U.S. import duty and the carrier’s advancement/processing fee on your order. If the promo is not shown, duties/fees are typically paid by the buyer to the carrier at delivery.

Other countries: VAT/GST and duty vary by country. Your local customs may charge these at delivery based on your order’s HS code and value.

If you order from our inventory, we can finish your hat quickly, but every hat still goes into our work queue so we can stitch the leather sweatband to your exact measurement, apply finishing details, and block the brim to your specs. We do not charge your card until the day we ship (PayPal captures at checkout).

Click here to add: Expedited order request

If you design your own Panama hat, we need a bit more time to finish your custom build—but it’s worth the wait. If a stock item won’t meet your size/specs (for example, if the size will not fit), we may replace it with an equivalent stock hat or a custom-made replacement of the same grade; this may extend timing. Typical custom lead time: about 3 weeks.

Two paths:

• Florida handoff (Economy): We batch-fly finished hats from Ecuador to our Florida handoff, then re-pack and send via UPS/USPS to you. This reduces international cost and simplifies U.S. clearance.
• DHL Express Direct (Fastest): Ships straight from Ecuador once your hat is finished—typically 3–6 business days to most U.S. addresses after dispatch; similar timing to many other countries.

Standard mail from Florida: usually 3–5 business days after the Florida handoff scan.

Heads-up: All timelines are averages (not guarantees). Customs, weather, and peak seasons can add time. We’ll email tracking when your order ships.

Need it sooner? Yes—rush is available to jump the queue: add expedited handling.

Short answer: we operate close to the source and keep costs lean. Our shop in Montecristi, Ecuador, and our U.S. handoff in Florida help us avoid layers of overhead. We’d rather pass the savings to you than pad the price—that’s why we’re Panama Hats Direct.

The town is Montecristi, Ecuador—and its surrounding villages like Jipijapa—famous for Special Reserve quality hats. Finishing details vary by company; ours are built for fit, longevity, and authenticity.

Over time, you may want cleaning, re-blocking, or straw repair. We offer an in-house service for our hats—including straw replacement when possible (not just gluing broken fibers). It’s intricate work, so we reserve this level of repair for Panama Hats Direct hats.

Need help? Contact us with a few photos and we’ll advise next steps.

Download our measuring tape from the sizes page or click here.

We size by measurement, not by generic hat sizes. Sizing labels vary between brands; measuring ensures we’re on the same page. If you’re between sizes, just tell us your exact measurement in the checkout comments—we can make in-between sizes.

Style, location, and build all play a role. Larger brims skew more western; shorter brims read more city/fedora. As a rule of thumb, a bigger build can carry a wider brim and stay in proportion. If you’re unsure, err slightly toward conservative on very wide brims.

For Montecristi models, a standard brim is typically between 2 5/8" and 2 3/4", and can reach up to 2 7/8". That range is similar across our styles; the crown shape is what distinguishes, for example, a Plantation from a Fedora.

Cuenca hats usually run from 2" up to about 3". They are generally pre-built mass-produced bodies, so customization is limited. Our Montecristi line is fully custom in size and dimensions.

Yes. If the brim you want isn’t in our current inventory, use the Panama hat designer to create exactly what you want.

Pick up extra bands when you purchase your hat—or order them anytime. Visit our Hat Bands page to browse styles and add to cart. You can add bands to an existing hat order or place a bands-only order.

Don’t miss our Panama Hat Stiffener—handy for shaping and holding a brim in place.

Other Accessories

Every hat includes an interior sweatband. Our Montecristi hats use a premium oil-tanned leather sweatband designed for comfort and durability. At approximately 1.25" wide and about 1/8" thick, it cushions well and helps prevent forehead oils from migrating into the straw.