Shipping to Europe After Brexit | UK Postage, VAT, Customs

Shipping goods to the EU from the UK after Brexit

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People can still send packages from the UK to the EU or move any goods from the EU to the UK since Brexit came into effect on 1 January 2021, but customs charges now apply. Choose the right transport service when shipping to Europe after Brexit and read all about the regulations in force below.
See also:
Parcel delivery after Brexit
Online stores shipping 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 The Brexit agreement meant not only leaving the EU but also that all the associated benefits are no longer applicable.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.

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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

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.

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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.
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FAQ when shipping from the UK to Europe after Brexit

How has Brexit affected postage to the EU?
Customs' formalities and declarations are not needed when sending letters even after Brexit. Some books and other merchandise sent to or from the UK, however, may be subject to inspection in some jurisdictions.
Read more about postage services to the UK offered by Eurosender.
Are there any import duties on goods shipped from UK after Brexit?
Yes, you have to pay tax and import duties for customs clearance when exporting goods to and from Europe after Brexit for goods exceeding the value of £135. The tariff will usually depend on the goods you are importing to the country, regardless if you purchased them online or bought them abroad and you are sending them back to the destination country.
What goes through customs when shipping to the UK from Europe after Brexit?
Every package entering the UK has to go through the customs clearance process since Brexit came into effect. Like every other country, the UK has a list of forbidden items on imported goods to the country. Customs officials will check the inside of the parcels to see if they contain any of these items. If forbidden items are detected in your parcel, your goods may be seized.
What should I declare at customs when importing goods from EU to the UK after Brexit?
You should declare the value of the goods you are importing from the EU, or other countries, to the UK after Brexit. Different VAT and customs charges apply according to the type of product and its value. Prepare accordingly for the VAT and import tariffs on the customs clearance process after Brexit in this section.
How has Brexit affected Northern Ireland on imported goods?
The Northern Ireland Protocol provides that Northern Ireland is legally part of the UK customs territory, but subject to certain provisions of EU law. These EU law provisions are effectively those necessary to avoid a hard border in Ireland.
No new checks or controls apply to goods moving between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in either direction. This means that goods from Northern Ireland benefit from free and open access to the EU single market. Necessary checks and controls (including on SPS goods) take place on goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK and other third countries.
Read more about parcel delivery to Northern Ireland.
Is shipping to Europe after Brexit possible from marketplaces?
Shipping from and to Europe after Brexit is possible from many marketplaces but the prices may be higher. Sellers may need to consider new shipping services when exporting goods from and to Europe after Brexit. Sellers have to book global transport services for shipping to and from Europe after Brexit, and these services may indicate a higher end-price for the product to the customer.
What is an EORI number?
An EORI number, which stands for Economic Operation Registration and Identification number, is a code unique to each business. It is used by customs authorities to monitor all shipments within the EU. As of January 2021, all UK-based businesses need an EORI number to continue their trade with any EU country. Without one, you cannot legally import or export goods from any EU country to Great Britain and the other way around. Bear in mind that an EORI number is not the same as the VAT number. However, your VAT number will be part of your EORI number.

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Disclaimer: The information above is the result of online research conducted in March 2023. For more accurate and up-to-date information about customs duties and shipping to the EU from the UK after Brexit, we strongly recommend checking official customs and government websites.