UK carriers: ‘parcels to EU must have custom declaration form’

Post Office and other carriers in the United Kingdom are warning  that any parcel containing gifts or goods that are being sent to an EU country must have a customs declaration form attached to it. This is the result of the Brexit, which became fully operational on the first of January.

Now that the United Kingdom has officially left the European Union, customs declarations now also apply to EU countries. This form doesn’t have to be completed if someone from the UK only sends a letter, postcard, or document to an EU country. But if it’s a parcel containing goods or gifts, it should.

EU popular destination for parcels from the UK

Member states of the European Union are very popular among parcels coming from the UK. Around 45 percent of the total international parcel traffic received by Post Offices in Great Britain goes to EU destinations, Post Office says.

45% of parcels from the UK go to EU countries.

Post Office is now advising its customers to pick up customs forms at its branches and complete them at home before returning to the branch to hand over their parcels. This saves themselves some time. “We know that over the past few weeks, many people will have been preoccupied with thoughts about Christmas and the pandemic. Postmasters are on hand to provide practical advice, particularly to small businesses, who regularly send a parcel to the EU. Customers should also look out for a leaflet in branches that has information about the new customs declaration requirement.”

Postmasters can provide advice, particularly to small businesses, who regularly send parcels to the EU.

The new rules are for anyone sending a parcel from England, Scotland or Wales to any EU country. Having to attach a custom declaration form was already a requirement when posting a parcel to non-EU destinations. If the sender doesn’t add the required document, it could lead to a delay in delivery.