Ship from UK to Europe — EU Customs Changes 2026
Ship from UK to Europe — EU Customs Changes 2026
Shipping from the UK to Europe has become significantly more complex since Brexit — and 2026 has added a further layer of change with the introduction of a new EU customs duty on all parcels valued at €150 or below. For UK parcel forwarding customers sending to EU destinations — whether shopping for themselves, forwarding purchases to family, or managing e-commerce returns — understanding the current rules is essential to avoid unexpected costs and delays at EU customs. This guide covers everything you need to know about shipping from the UK to Europe in 2026.
What Changed After Brexit — A Quick Overview
When the UK left the EU single market on 1 January 2021, customs barriers that had not existed for decades were introduced between the UK and all 27 EU member states. The practical impact on parcel forwarding was immediate and significant:
Customs declarations became mandatory for all UK-to-EU shipments regardless of value. Previously, goods moved freely within the single market without border formalities. From January 2021, every parcel sent from the UK to an EU country requires a customs declaration with item descriptions, declared values and, ideally, HS tariff codes.
VAT on low-value imports was reformed. The EU abolished its previous €22 duty-free VAT exemption in July 2021 and introduced IOSS (Import One Stop Shop) — a scheme under which non-EU sellers can register to collect EU VAT at the point of sale. For parcels shipped without IOSS registration, VAT is collected by the carrier at the EU border and charged to the recipient.
Duties on UK-origin goods — under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), goods that genuinely originate in the UK can still enter the EU at zero or preferential duty rates. However, goods sourced outside the UK and simply forwarded from a UK address do not qualify for TCA preferential rates and are subject to standard EU customs tariffs.
The New EU Customs Rule from 1 July 2026 — Everything You Need to Know
The most significant change affecting UK-to-EU parcel forwarding in 2026 came into force on 1 July 2026. The EU abolished its €150 customs duty exemption — the rule that previously allowed parcels valued at €150 or below to enter the EU without paying customs duty. Under the previous system, a parcel worth €100 paid no customs duty (though VAT still applied). That exemption no longer exists.
The €3 flat duty — how it works
In place of the €150 exemption, a flat €3 customs duty now applies per item category (per HS tariff code line) on all B2C parcels valued at €150 or below entering the EU from any non-EU country, including the UK. Key points:
It is charged per item category, not per parcel. A parcel containing goods from three different product categories (for example, a jumper, a book and a phone case) incurs €9 in customs duty (3 × €3) — one charge per distinct HS tariff code. A parcel containing five items that all fall under the same HS code incurs €3 total.
It applies to parcels valued at €150 or below. For parcels above €150, standard EU customs duty rates apply based on the HS code and country of origin — the €3 flat rate does not apply.
It is a temporary measure. The €3 duty is in force from 1 July 2026 until 1 July 2028, when the EU's full Customs Data Hub regime is expected to become operational and standard tariff rates will apply to all e-commerce imports regardless of value.
A €2 handling fee is expected from November 2026. The EU is expected to introduce a separate handling fee of approximately €2 per consignment from November 2026, in addition to the €3 per-item duty. This would add a further fixed charge to all EU-bound parcels.
VAT still applies separately. The €3 duty is a customs charge only — EU VAT (typically 20-25% depending on the destination member state) still applies in addition. For parcels where VAT has been collected upfront by the seller under IOSS, no further VAT is charged at the border.
Practical example — what a UK-to-France parcel costs in 2026
A parcel sent from Send2Hub's UK warehouse to France, containing a wool jumper (€60 declared value, HS code 6110) and a pair of leather shoes (€70 declared value, HS code 6403) — total declared value €130.
EU customs duty: 2 item categories × €3 = €6
French VAT (20%) on total value: €130 × 20% = €26
Total customs and tax: €32 — on a €130 purchase.
Before the July 2026 change, the same parcel would have incurred €0 customs duty and approximately €26 in VAT — making the new regime approximately €6 more expensive per parcel for this example. Use our customs duty estimator to calculate estimated charges for your specific shipment and EU destination.
Why Accurate HS Codes Now Matter More Than Ever
Before July 2026, HS codes mattered primarily for parcels above €150 where standard customs duty rates applied. For low-value parcels, the €150 exemption made HS codes a secondary consideration. From July 2026, HS codes directly determine the number of €3 duty charges applied to every EU-bound parcel.
A parcel with five items but only two distinct HS codes pays €6. A parcel with five items across five different HS codes pays €15. Consolidating items with the same HS code into a single shipment — and providing accurate HS codes at checkout — minimises the total duty charge. Use our customs duty estimator to find the correct HS code for your items and estimate duty charges before committing to an EU shipment.
Shipping from the UK to Key EU Destinations
Germany
Germany is one of the UK's largest trading partners and a major destination for parcel forwarding. German VAT is 19% for most goods (7% for certain food and books). Send2Hub collects German VAT upfront before dispatching Germany-bound parcels — after paying for shipping, you receive a separate notification with the VAT charge before your parcel is dispatched. German customs clearance is typically efficient for parcels with accurate documentation. Visit our Germany shipping page for full details.
France
France applies standard EU VAT of 20% on most imported goods. French customs clearance times vary — DHL and UPS typically provide the fastest clearance for parcels from the UK. France is a major destination for UK beauty brands, UK fashion and UK food products. Accurate French language item descriptions on customs forms can speed up clearance. Visit our France shipping page for full details.
Poland
Poland is one of the most popular EU destinations for UK parcel forwarding — driven by a large Polish diaspora in the UK and strong demand for UK products among Polish consumers. Polish VAT is 23% for most goods. Poland's customs clearance infrastructure is well-established for e-commerce imports. Visit our Poland shipping page for full details.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a major entry point for EU customs clearance — Rotterdam and Schiphol are two of Europe's busiest logistics hubs. Dutch VAT is 21%. Send2Hub collects Dutch VAT upfront for Netherlands-bound parcels. The Netherlands has an efficient and well-resourced customs clearance process. Visit our Netherlands shipping page for full details.
Spain, Greece and other EU destinations
Spain applies 21% VAT on most goods. Greece applies 24% VAT. Both are popular destinations for UK product forwarding — particularly UK fashion, beauty and electronics. For all EU destinations, the €3 per-item category duty applies from 1 July 2026 on parcels ≤€150. Use our customs duty estimator and country guide for destination-specific information.
How Send2Hub Handles UK-to-EU Shipping
Send2Hub prepares complete customs export documentation for all UK-to-EU shipments — accurate item descriptions, declared values, HS codes (where provided) and UK origin information. For countries where VAT is collected upfront (currently Germany, Denmark and Luxembourg), the estimated VAT charge is communicated to you before dispatch.
Consolidation is particularly valuable for EU shipments under the new regime. Rather than shipping five separate parcels from different UK retailers to an EU destination — each incurring its own per-item customs duties — consolidating into a single shipment means the €3 per-item-category duty is calculated once across the combined contents. This can significantly reduce the total customs burden compared to shipping individually. Learn more on our parcel consolidation page.
Use our shipping calculator to compare live rates across Royal Mail, Parcelforce, UPS, DHL, FedEx and DPD for your specific EU destination and parcel dimensions.
Documentation Checklist for UK-to-EU Shipments
Item descriptions — specific and accurate. "Clothing" is insufficient. "Cotton women's knitwear jumper" is correct. Vague descriptions cause delays at EU customs.
Declared values — actual purchase price in GBP, converted to EUR at the prevailing rate. Do not undervalue goods — EU customs actively checks declared values against market pricing for common product categories.
HS tariff codes — including the correct HS code for each item type in your parcel is strongly recommended from July 2026 onwards, as it directly affects the number of €3 duty charges applied. Use our customs duty estimator to find the correct code for your goods.
Country of origin — for goods that genuinely originate in the UK, noting UK origin on the customs declaration allows EU customs to apply TCA preferential rates where applicable. Goods sourced outside the UK and forwarded via Send2Hub are not UK-origin goods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new EU customs duty on UK parcels from 1 July 2026?
From 1 July 2026, the EU applies a flat €3 customs duty per item category (per HS tariff code) on all B2C parcels valued at €150 or below entering the EU from non-EU countries including the UK. This replaces the previous €150 duty-free exemption. A parcel with two different item categories pays €6. The measure is temporary — in force until 1 July 2028.
Do I still pay VAT on UK-to-EU parcels?
Yes. EU VAT still applies to UK-to-EU shipments in addition to the new €3 per-item duty. VAT rates vary by EU member state — typically 19-25% depending on the country. Where Send2Hub collects VAT upfront (currently Germany, Denmark and Luxembourg), the charge is communicated before dispatch.
Can UK goods enter the EU duty-free under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement?
Yes — for goods that genuinely originate in the UK. The UK-EU TCA provides zero or preferential import duty rates on UK-origin goods entering the EU, subject to meeting rules of origin requirements. The new €3 flat duty applies only to standard e-commerce parcels — UK-origin goods claiming TCA preferential rates follow a different customs process. Goods sourced outside the UK and forwarded via Send2Hub are not UK-origin goods and do not qualify for TCA preferential rates.
How does consolidation help reduce EU customs costs?
Consolidating multiple UK purchases into a single outbound shipment means the €3 per-item-category duty is calculated once across the combined contents rather than separately for each parcel. It also reduces the number of individual customs declarations and associated handling fees. Use our parcel consolidation service to combine purchases before shipping to any EU destination.
Which carriers are best for UK-to-EU shipments post-Brexit?
DHL Express, FedEx and UPS offer the fastest and most reliable customs clearance for UK-to-EU parcels, with established EU customs networks and dedicated clearance infrastructure. Royal Mail International and Parcelforce are suitable for lighter, lower-value parcels where transit time is less critical. Use our shipping calculator to compare current rates and transit times across all six carriers for your specific EU destination.
What documentation does Send2Hub prepare for EU-bound shipments?
Send2Hub prepares standard customs export documentation for all EU-bound shipments — item descriptions, declared values, HS codes (where provided), UK origin information and all required carrier documentation. Providing accurate item descriptions and HS codes at checkout gives the most accurate customs documentation and minimises the risk of clearance delays.