How to send parcels to the United Kingdom after Brexit
Brexit has had a major impact on the VAT and customs regulations between the European Union and the United Kingdom. This article contains everything you need to know: all the links and documents you need to send parcels to the United Kingdom.
Which countries are affected?
The changes affect all shipments to and from England, Scotland and Wales. Nothing changes for Ireland and Northern Ireland. Because the Republic of Ireland is part of the European Union and Northern Ireland is within the European Union’s customs union, the rules for sending within the EU apply.
What changed on 1 January 2021?
From 1 January 2021, VAT and customs regulations make a distinction based on the value of goods sent to the United Kingdom. The threshold is £135. These are the new rules:
Goods not exceeding £135 in value
The goods are liable to United Kingdom VAT. There is no import VAT.
Goods exceeding £135 in value
The goods are liable to United Kingdom VAT. There is an import VAT of approximately 20%.
All details on the changes are available on the British government website.
To whom do these new rules apply?
The regulations apply to anyone who sells goods professionally and ships them to the United Kingdom:
- Sales through a private webshop
- Sales through an online marketplace
- Direct sales (e.g. by phone or email
What do you need from 1 January 2021?
If you want to sell goods and ship them to the United Kingdom,
you will need four things. Here's how you can obtain them:
What do you need to do if you sell and ship goods NOT EXCEEDING £135 in value?
On 1 January 2021, Low Value Consignment Relief, i.e. the VAT exemption for goods valued at £15 or less, was abolished. This is the new procedure for selling and shipping an item not exceeding £135 in value:
What do you need to do if you sell and ship goods EXCEEDING £135 in value?
Royal Mail will collect the import VAT and UK VAT from the addressee. This is the new procedure for selling and shipping an item exceeding £135 in value:
What about your bpost contract(s) and rates?
As of 1 January 2021, new rates apply for shipments to the United Kingdom. Consignments will be more expensive because of additional administration and customs inspections. The contracts will change as follows:
bpack Europe Business
As of 28 December 2020, you are no longer able to send parcels to the United Kingdom. sing bpack Europe Business. As an alternative, we suggest bpack World Business. We deliver the parcel to any doorstep, or to a Pick-up Point if the addressee is not available at the time of delivery. No signature is required.
bpack World Business
The new rates correspond with the rates for area 6 in your current bpack World Business contract. They will be modified and applied automatically.
bpack World Express Pro
he new rates will correspond with the rates for area 4 in your current bpack World Express Pro contract. They will be modified and applied automatically.
bpack World Easy Retour
bpack World Easy Retour is only available within the EU. This means that, as of 28 December 2020, your customers are no longer able to return their parcels from the United Kingdom to Belgium using the Easy Return Service (ERS). We are currently looking into a solution to make returns available again.
Tip:
Landmark Global, bpost's subsidiary for international shipments, can file the export and import declarations for you at the United Kingdom/EU border.
Want to know more? Contact your Account Manager.