How to Ship from UK to EU After Brexit

Shipping from the UK to the EU used to be effortless. You placed an order, and it arrived. No forms. No fees. No fuss. But Brexit changed all of that. Now, customs rules, VAT charges, and confusing paperwork make shipping feel like a maze.

So how do you ship from the UK to EU after Brexit without the stress? This guide breaks it down step by step. And if you want the easiest route, Parcel Flow handles everything for you.

Why Is Shipping from UK to EU Harder Now?

Before January 2021, the UK was part of the EU single market. Goods moved freely across borders. There were no customs checks and no extra taxes.

But Brexit made the UK a “third country” to the EU. As a result, every shipment now faces new rules.

Here’s what changed:

Customs declarations are now required for all parcels
VAT is charged on most goods entering the EU
Import duties may apply depending on the product
Paperwork errors cause delays at borders
Some UK retailers stopped shipping to the EU entirely

For shoppers and businesses alike, this creates real headaches. However, with the right approach, shipping from the UK to EU after Brexit is still very possible.

Understanding UK to EU Customs Rules

Let’s start with the basics. When you ship from the UK to the EU, your parcel must go through customs. This means someone needs to fill out forms, declare the contents, and calculate any taxes owed.

What You Need for Customs Clearance

Every UK-to-EU shipment requires:

Customs declaration form (CN22 or CN23)
Commercial invoice (for goods over a certain value)
HS codes (product classification numbers)
Accurate item descriptions (not just “goods” or “gift”)
Proof of value (receipts or invoices)

If any of this is wrong or missing, your parcel can be delayed or even returned.

VAT and Import Duties Explained

VAT is charged on most goods entering the EU. The rate varies by country but is typically between 19% and 27%.

Import duties depend on:

The type of product (clothing, electronics, etc.)
The value of the goods
The HS code assigned

For example, clothing often carries higher duty rates than books. Getting the HS code right matters a lot.

Step-by-Step: How to Ship from UK to EU After Brexit

Now let’s walk through the process. Whether you’re a shopper or a business, these steps apply.

Step 1: Choose Your Shipping Method

You have several options:

Direct shipping from UK retailers (if they still offer it)
Royal Mail or courier services (DHL, UPS, FedEx)
Parcel forwarding services like Parcel Flow

Direct shipping sounds simple, but many UK stores have stopped EU delivery. Couriers work but can be expensive. That’s why parcel forwarding has become the go-to solution.

Step 2: Prepare Your Customs Paperwork

Every parcel needs:

Full sender and receiver details
Accurate item descriptions
Correct HS codes
Declared value matching receipts

Be specific. Writing “clothes” isn’t enough. Write “women’s cotton t-shirt” instead.

Step 3: Calculate VAT and Duties

Before shipping, estimate the taxes. EU customs will charge VAT based on the item value plus shipping cost.

Some couriers offer “Delivered Duty Paid” (DDP) options. This means you pay all fees upfront. It’s clearer for the receiver but costs more at checkout.

Step 4: Ship Your Parcel

Once paperwork is ready, send your parcel. Track it carefully. If customs has questions, respond quickly to avoid delays.

Step 5: Clear Customs in the EU

Your parcel arrives at the EU border. Customs officers check the paperwork. If everything matches, the parcel continues. If not, it gets held.

This is where mistakes cost time. Incomplete forms or undervalued goods cause problems.

The Easier Way: Use Parcel Flow

All those steps sound like a lot of work. And honestly, they are. That’s exactly why Parcel Flow exists.

Parcel Flow is a parcel forwarding service that handles UK-to-EU shipping for you. Here’s how it works:

How Parcel Flow Makes Shipping Simple

Step 1: Sign up with Parcel Flow. You get a UK address instantly.

Step 2: Shop at any UK store. Enter your Parcel Flow address at checkout.

Step 3: Your parcels arrive at the warehouse. You get notified right away.

Step 4: Parcel Flow calculates all fees. You see VAT, duties, and shipping upfront.

Step 5: Once you approve, they handle all paperwork and ship to your EU home.

Step 6: Your parcel clears customs and arrives fast.

No forms to fill. No fees to guess. No stress at all.

Why Northern Ireland Makes a Difference

Here’s a smart detail. Parcel Flow operates from Belfast in Northern Ireland. And this matters a lot.

Thanks to the Windsor Framework, Northern Ireland has unique status. It’s part of the UK but also has EU market access. Because of this, goods from NI face fewer customs checks when entering the EU.

So when you use Parcel Flow’s Belfast warehouse, you benefit from:

Smoother customs clearance
Faster processing times
Often lower shipping costs

It’s the smartest route for shipping from UK to EU after Brexit.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many people run into problems due to simple errors. Here are the most common ones:

Mistake	Why It’s a Problem	How to Fix It
Vague descriptions	Causes inspections and delays	Be specific about contents
Undervaluing items	Illegal and leads to seizures	Declare true value always
Missing HS codes	Slows customs processing	Use correct product codes
Incomplete addresses	Parcels get lost or returned	Include full details
No receipts	Customs may reject the parcel	Keep proof of purchase

With Parcel Flow, you avoid all these mistakes. They handle everything properly from the start.

What Does UK to EU Shipping Cost?

Costs depend on several factors:

Weight and size of the parcel
Destination country in the EU
Shipping speed (standard vs express)
VAT rate in the destination country
Import duties based on product type

Many people get caught by hidden fees. A parcel arrives, and suddenly there’s a bill for €30 in customs charges.

Parcel Flow is different. They show all costs before you ship. VAT, duties, shipping—everything in one clear quote. What you see is what you pay. No nasty surprises.

Who Benefits from This Guide?

This information helps many groups:

Regular shoppers tired of customs confusion
Fashion buyers ordering British brands
Tech fans buying UK electronics
Small businesses importing for resale
Expats wanting favourite British products
Gift senders shipping to EU family

If you ship from UK to EU more than twice a year, proper help saves you time and money.

DIY Shipping vs Using Parcel Flow

Factor	Doing It Yourself	Using Parcel Flow
Forms	You complete them	Done for you
VAT	You calculate it	Shown upfront
Duty codes	You research them	Assigned correctly
Error risk	High	Very low
Delays	Common	Rare
Surprise fees	Often	Never

As you can see, Parcel Flow removes all the hard work.