Brexit - Frequently asked questions
Please note! Due to challenges caused by the new British customs practices, all deliveries to the UK have been suspended for the time being. We apologise for the situation and work to resolve it as soon as possible.
What does Brexit mean for companies and people sending and receiving goods to or from the UK?
When will Brexit come into force?
The UK withdrew from the European Union on 1 January 2021. The UK has been a so called third country since the withdrawal.
Who is affected by Brexit?
Among others, everyone in the EU who trades with the UK will be affected. Leaving the customs union entails major changes for goods transports to and from the UK, both for customers and logistics operators.
What is considered to be an export?
If you send an item (including gifts) from an EU country to the UK, or other countries outside the EU, this is considered to be an export. Ordinary letters that do not contain goods are not considered to be exports.
What are the requirements for companies that export?
According to the Customs Agency, companies that export outside the EU have to, for example:
- report goods in advance, with summarizing import declarations, and apply the rules for safety and protection when exporting
- report in advance the means of transport and goods at the exit point from the EU
- submit customs declarations for exports
- comply with import and export restrictions
- pay or provide guarantees for customs duties and other fees before the goods can be released for transfer into free circulation
- in some cases, to import or export certain goods, it may also be necessary to obtain permission for certain customs formalities, such as active and passive processing
- register an EORI number, if not already assigned one. Read more about EORI
- In addition to a commercial or pro forma invoice, an Importer Information form and a Direct Representation form are required for pallet shipments to the UK. The completed forms and a copy of the invoice must be sent by e-mail to our customs department at tullaus.fi@postnord.com. Click here for instructions on shipping a pallet and filling out the Importer Information form.
More information is available at www.tulli.fi
Which documents are required by companies?
All goods shipped (in letters, parcels and as goods) from the EU to the UK must be declared by the sender.
- Attach the invoice / pro forma invoice to the outside of the consignment.
- Send a copy of the invoice to tullaus.fi@postnord.com
- Send an electronic customs data to PostNord (If you use Pacsoft Online, the electronic data will be transferred to PostNord automatically.)
- Note: Reciever’s SMS and e-mail address must be included.
Postal deliveries: If you hand in the consignment at PostNord or a partner outlet, you also need to hand in the customs form CN22 or CN23.
How can I facilitate the making of smooth deliveries?
Ensure that you have all the contact information (name, address, email address, phone number, VAT number and EORI number in case the recipient has one) for your recipient in the UK, as well as all the necessary information for the purchase invoice (for example customs tariff, weight, description of goods and value).
More information is available at www.tulli.fi
How will Brexit affect delivery times?
The new customs handling will normally result in longer delivery times. If customs documents are not correct, deliveries risk being delayed even more.
How is PostNord helping its customers?
PostNord is doing everything it can to ensure the smoothest possible transition for customers, whatever the outcome of the Brexit negotiations. For example, we are working with the Royal Mail and DPD, and bringing in extra staff to handle customs procedures at Arlanda, as well as at our terminals in Malmö, Örebro, Copenhagen and Kolding.
PostNord’s Pacsoft Online services provides help with producing the necessary documentation.
Where can I get more information?
If you have questions about PostNord’s processes and customs procedures related to Brexit, you are welcome to contact tullaus.fi@postnord.com (answer in 48 hours).
PostNord’s information about Brexit / customs issues in:
For additional information about preparations, visit the websites of the relevant customs authority:
- Information about Brexit from the Finnish Customs Agency – for companies, https://tulli.fi/yritysasiakkaat/brexit – and for private individuals https://tulli.fi/henkiloasiakkaat/brexit
- Information about Brexit from the Swedish Customs Agency https://www.tullverket.se/sv/foretag/framtidatullhanteringochbrexit/brexitvadinnebardetforsvenskhandel.4.1595a16515ebddfed51193d.html
- Information about Brexit from the Danish Customs Agency https://www.toldst.dk/brexit/
- Information about Brexit from the EU Commission: https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/uk_withdrawal_en
What procedures apply for freight with DPD?
For goods shipped with DPD from the UK, the sender pays for customs handling for both export and import.
The recipient only pays for VAT and customs.
Recipients in the UK only have three days to pay customs duty and VAT, otherwise the goods are returned.
What VAT / customs duties are applied to goods imported from the UK?
Customs duty must be paid on all goods shipped (in letters, parcels and goods) from the UK.
Company: PostNord will declare the incoming shipment and charge any customs duty from the receiver. The customs duty is usually determined based on customs nomenclature and customs value.
VAT will be paid to the tax administration on consignments arriving outside the EU customs and tax area.
NOTE. The recipient is solely responsible for paying VAT to the tax administration.
Consumer: The recipient is responsible for handling the import declaration (for example, through a customs service). Customs charges customs duties on goods, taxes and charges, which are determined by the customs nomenclature, origin and customs value of the goods.
If the receiver no longer wants your consignment, you have the option to not pay. The parcel is then returned to the sender.
Click here for more information on shipments imported from the UK.