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Brexit changes affecting shipping
Brexit changes affecting shipping
Niels van Vlerken avatar
Written by Niels van Vlerken
Updated over 2 years ago

From January 1, 2021, all shipments crossing a UK or European border will be considered international shipments. The following are required for all international shipments:

  • HS codes for all products sold internationally. Missing HS code can lead to problems during checkout, or to the creation of labels with incorrect customs information.

  • Various forms with which you inform customs about the contents of the shipment

  • The payment of costs for customs clearance

Immediate action

Owners in the EU must:

  1. register with the UK Revenue and Customs so they can pay customs clearance fees.

  2. request an EORI number (customs number) from the United Kingdom government. Processing this takes a week.

Before December 31, 2020

All owners must:

  1. Enter HS codesfor all products they ship to or from the UK.

  2. test whether their printer and labels can handle possible label changes. For example, PostNL labels change from A3 to A4 format. For Brexit A3 | After Brexit A4

  3. contact their shipping provider to determine if other changes are also required. Some providers have articles about Brexit, such as:
    ​

    • PostNL

    • ShipStation

On January 1, 2021

Add new forms

Please ensure customs information is included with the package when shipping to or from the UK. This can be done by ensuring that the required forms, including C-22 and C-23 and commercial forms, are completed in full. Read more about customs forms on the PostNL website.

Updating Your Mission Integration

Some shipping integrations may require you to switch from European to International shipping methods. For example, PostNL requires the United Kingdom to be added to the shipping method for worldwide delivery (Global-Pack). If you don't make this change, the checkout for your customers may be blocked.

Test your checkout

You can test your checkout to make sure your shipping methods show up. When adding customer information at checkout, make sure to use an address that crosses the UK/EU border.

Be prepared to pay customs clearance fees

  • When owners send parcels for business purposes, they only pay VAT to the UK tax authorities for goods valued up to £135. You pay this through your registration with the tax and customs authorities (HM Revenue and Customs) of the United Kingdom.

  • Higher value shipments may also be subject to import duties. These are paid by the recipient.

  • UK label before Brexit.pdf
    10 kB Download

  • UK_label.pdf
    60 kB Download

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