Shipping goods to the EU from the UK after Brexit
Exporting goods to Europe after Brexit: rules and regulations valid in 2023
Different rules and regulations now apply when exporting goods from the UK to Europe since Brexit was enforced and the UK officially left the EU.
The most significant change people have noticed when shipping to and from the UK is the price variation. Meaning, if you have been paying a certain price for specific services or goods from EU or UK online stores before Brexit, now the price may be higher. Besides the usual price and shipping costs, you may have to pay the imposed country VAT charges, the import/export and customs duties, if applicable.
The custom tariffs, or any other procedures, when exporting from the UK to any EU country since Brexit depend on the country of import. As of 1 July 2021, all commercial goods sent to any country in the EU are subject to VAT and, as such, need to be cleared by customs. Each member country of the EU has specific and different rules on trade that the UK must follow when exporting goods to Europe after Brexit.
Customs and tariffs for importing goods from the EU to the UK after Brexit
Import duties now apply when shipping from the EU to the UK since Brexit was enforced on 1 January 2021. Before Brexit, the UK had free movement of goods between EU countries, meaning that no duties applied when shipping goods from the EU to the UK or the other way around. The Brexit agreement meant not only leaving the EU but also that all the associated benefits are no longer applicable.
Please note that there is a particular set of trading agreements in place for Northern Ireland. Under the Brexit agreement, the whole island of Ireland is treated as a free trade zone, and customs clearance takes place between Northern Ireland and the island of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).
VAT charges
Imported goods from the EU to the UK after Brexit are subject to charges and undergo tax payment, customs and procedures. The VAT payment depends on the total value of the good one is importing to GB plus the shipping costs. In most cases, the importer pays for the VAT. As of 1 July 2021, VAT applies to the following:
- All goods purchased online.
- Imported gifts to the UK with a declared value exceeding £39.
- Alcohol, tobacco and perfumes, regardless of their value.
Import duties
Customs duties do not apply to goods with a value of under £135 entering the UK from any other country. Since Brexit, if the declared value of the goods exceeds this amount, in most cases the receiver has to pay the duties requested by customs officials. Customs duties for imported goods from the EU to the UK after Brexit also apply depending on the country of product origin.
If the gifts you are importing from the EU to the UK after Brexit range from £135-£630 you will pay around 2.5%. Bear in mind that there are some exceptions to this percentage, and you should contact the authorities to enquire about the specific product.
If the value of the goods exceeds £630, you will have to pay customs duties according to the product and the country of product origin. You should contact the authorities to provide you with further information on the specific product you are importing.
Please bear in mind that UK businesses need an EORI number after Brexit from any EU country for imports and exports.
Read more about our UK shipping services
Additional documentation required when shipping from Ireland to the UK
There have been some important updates from the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement on how are the rules of origin determined for the goods you are shipping.
Additional proof of origin documentation has to be provided in order to benefit from the 0% duty rate when shipping from Ireland to the UK with DHL, FedEx, TNT and UPS. Aside from the statement of origin, you will have to provide:
- Registered Exporter Systems (REX) Authorisation that can be granted by Irish Revenue. To be granted the REX number, certain criteria must be met. You can find additional information by following this link.
- Certificate of Origin that can be obtained by a local Chamber of Commerce. You can find additional information by following this link.
Van delivery from EU to the UK after Brexit – Requirements
When booking a van delivery on our platform, you need to provide us with the following information:
For individuals
- Copy of ID;
- Proof of residence, proving that you have resided in Europe (or country of origin) for a minimum period of 6 months;
- Proof that you have a visa to reside in the UK (except for English citizens);
- Detailed list of each item being transported: what the goods are, what they are made of, their origin, their purpose, HS code, and their value, etc;
- You need to send us the ToR (Application for transfer of residence relief) number. You can use this guide for the ToR or find the frequently asked questions here.
For businesses
- Proforma or commercial invoice (full details including VAT and EORI number);
- Packing list.
It is important to note that the packing list should contain information about the sender, receiver, the item description, the value of each unit and the total value. Additionally, it should be signed by the owner of the goods.
Transport services to use when shipping to Europe from GB after Brexit
Brexit brought major changes in the transport industry, and how people send parcels abroad. Use Eurosender services and the expertise of our logistics specialists to benefit from a seamless experience when exporting goods to Europe after Brexit. Receive customs clearance support for any customs formalities from our well-established processes.
EXPRESS SHIPPING
You can use the Express shipping service through Eurosender for shipping to/from Europe after Brexit. As a shipper, you must fill out the proforma invoice, and any other additional customs documentation that may be requested. The delivery times are within 48h-72h from the moment of collection. The customer will receive the goods directly to their front door.
LARGER SHIPMENTS
You can ship a larger volume of goods if you can provide import/export documents for freight customs clearance. You can export goods to Europe after Brexit either by booking a pallet, a van delivery or shared and full truck transport. A logistics expert from Eurosender will be dealing closely with your case and will offer you any support throughout the process, together with our trusted freight brokerage partners.
Read more about about pallet shipping after Brexit.
ARE YOU A BUSINESS?
Reliable freight brokerage specialists
Eurosender is the right choice for moving goods from the EU to the UK after Brexit, or from the UK to the EU, as our vast network of logistics partners allows us to choose the right provider according to your needs, and offer you proper shipping and freight brokerage solutions. Allow us to handle the shipping organisation on your behalf and register on our platform for extra transport benefits and lower prices.
Set up a business account
NEED MORE INFORMATION?