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

Shipping goods to the EU from the UK after Brexit

People can still send packages from the UK to the EU, or move any goods from the EU to the UK after Brexit, but customs charges will apply from the 1st of January. Choose the right transportation service when shipping to Europe after the Brexit transition is over and read all about the new regulations in force below.

Exporting goods to Europe after Brexit: 2021 rules and regulations

New rules and regulations apply when exporting goods from the UK to Europe after the Brexit decision is enforced and the UK officially leaves the EU.

The most significant change that people will notice 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, 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, after Brexit, will depend on the country of import. After the 1st of July 2021, all commercial goods sent to any country in the EU will be subject to VAT and, as such, customs clearance will be needed. 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

There will be import duties when shipping from the EU to the UK once the Brexit decision is enforced, after the 1st of January 2021. The Brexit agreement meant not only going out of the EU but also that all the benefits coming along with it will no longer be applicable. 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. Currently, Great Britain is still communicating about all the formalities and charges with the EU countries.

It is important to note that due to the pandemics, full border checks in Great Britain will not yet be fully enforced until after the 1st of July 2021. The only exception to this will be the import of tobacco and alcohol, or deemed traders at risk.

VAT charges

Imported goods from the EU to the UK after Brexit will be subject to charges and undergo tax payment, customs and procedures. The VAT payment will depend 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. After the 1st of July, VAT will apply to the following:

  • All goods purchased online.
  • Imported gifts to the UK whose declared value exceeds £39.
  • Alcohol, tobacco and perfumes, regardless of their value.

Import duties

Customs duties will not apply to goods entering the UK from any other country whose value is under £135. If the declared value of the customs allowance after Brexit for the goods exceeds this amount, in most cases the receiver will have to pay the duties requested by the customs officers. Customs duties for imported goods from the EU to the UK after Brexit may also apply depending on the country of product origin.
The customs allowance after Brexit and duties will also apply to gifts, whose value is exceeding £135.

  • If the gifts you are importing from the EU to the UK after Brexit are ranging 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 ask for the specific product.
  • If the goods are exceeding £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.

Transport services to use when shipping to Europe from GB after Brexit

Brexit brought major changes in the transportation industry, and how people send parcels abroad. Use Eurosender services and the expertise of our logistics specialists to benefit from 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, and any other additional 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 customs clearance documents. 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.

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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 transportation benefits and lower prices.
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FAQ when shipping from the UK to Europe after Brexit

How will Brexit affect postage to the EU?
Customs' formalities and declarations will not be needed when sending letters after Brexit. Some books and other merchandise sent to or from the UK, however, may be subject to inspection in some jurisdictions. Eurosender envelope service can be the right choice for mailing envelopes to and from GB.
Will there be any import duties on goods shipped from UK after Brexit?
Yes, you will 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 will have to go through the customs clearance process after Brexit. Like every other country, the UK has a list of forbidden items on imported goods to the country. The customs officers will check the inside of the parcels to see if they contain any of these items. In case they do contain forbidden items, the customs officers will cease them.
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 will Brexit affect Northern Ireland on imported goods?
Even though Northern Ireland remains part of the UK after Brexit, the UK will impose some controls on goods coming from the UK to Northern Ireland. Even though there will not be customs duties as when importing from the EU post-Brexit, there will still be some spot checks on goods entering Northern Ireland, and some extra paperwork.
Will shipping to Europe after Brexit be possible from marketplaces?
Shipping from and to Europe after Brexit will be possible from many marketplaces but the prices may be higher. Sellers will have to consider new shipping services when exporting goods from and to Europe after Brexit. Sellers have to book global transportation services for shipping to and from Europe after Brexit, and these services may indicate a higher end-price for the product to the customer.

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Disclaimer: The information above is the result of online research conducted in June 2021. 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 the authority’s websites.

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