At DHL, they aren’t starting to do that right now: moving packages to and from the UK. “It is not currently possible to send parcels to the UK via DHL,” the company’s customer service told RTL Z. Starting January 6 it will be possible again.
Air mail is possible
If you try to send a parcel via the website, Great Britain, the United Kingdom, or England will not appear, then Scotland and Wales will not appear in the list of countries to which you can send something.
The reason according to DHL: the lockdown in the Netherlands, which means parcel points here close and, above all, Brexit. The problems arise mainly with transportation by road, via the canal tunnel, or with ferry services. DHL still receiving airmail.
more complicated
The service between the UK and the EU was closed by DHL before Christmas, mainly due to horrific congestion in Dover and other logistics centers. And they aren’t entirely sure that everything will go smoothly as of January 6th. Because with the UK outside the European Union, the paperwork increases.
Royal Mail, the UK’s main postal company, has also stopped moving but has resumed transport with the European Union after a week of inactivity. Everything gets more complicated, admits the spokesperson.
To the post office
Brits who send something to the European Union have to fill out customs forms, just like they send something to other parts of the world. These are the shapes CN22 or CN23. “These are available at the post office,” explains a Royal Mail spokesperson.
Then the package recipient still has to pay the VAT and handling costs. In the Netherlands, PostNL will, among others, collect this. According to a spokesperson, customers have to go to a collection point or receive an email with the payment request. “The delivery guy will never take it.”
Costs
The amount of these costs depends on the value of the goods shipped. It also plays a role by who is being sent in: regular people or by the company.
For products valued at up to € 22 from outside the EU, nothing has to be paid. For all that is above, so-called clearance costs and value-added tax apply. For products over 150 euros, import duties are also added, but it is agreed between the European Union and the United Kingdom not to impose these fees.
The Brexit experience
PostNL says everything will be the same as with shipments from China or the US, for example. “We are working hard behind the scenes to make it go smoothly.”
However, here they also admit that they find it exciting how it will go in the early days and whether it will take a lot of extra workforce. We have yet to experience Brexit.
From tomorrow.
