Though the UK officially left the European Union two years back, there is still a lack of clarity about the new regulations on exporting & importing goods between the European Union, United Kingdom & Northern Ireland.
This comprehensive guide will talk you through what processes businesses need to put in place when shipping from the UK to EU, UK to Northern Ireland, and Northern Ireland to the EU after Brexit.
Shipping from UK to EU
If you are running a business based out of the UK and most of your customer base is in Europe, you will require the following to ship your products:
Customs Declaration
While shipping goods from UK to EU, you need to complete the customs declaration form and attach it to your parcel. The customs declaration clearly states the contents and value of each item you’re sending, an 8-digit HS Code, also known as a commodity code or tariff code. This applies to every item you send to the EU.
Commercial Invoice
As your shipment crosses customs borders you must include a commercial invoice. The commercial invoice describes the goods and their value to help determine the customs duties to be paid.
Tax and Duty Rates
When exporting goods from the UK to the EU, your importer in the EU will need to pay taxes and duties levied on the goods which you have sent. The amount of taxes and duties owed will depend on the classification of the goods.
EORI Number
Ensure to have an EORI Number (Economic Operator Registration and Identification Number), if you are exporting goods to the EU. This reduces the risk of border delays & increased costs while importing goods. If you don’t have one, then get it from the customs authority in any European country.
From 1 March 2023, all the shipping carriers must communicate, prior to departure, these data to EU customs authorities about all shipments entering the EU, Norway, and Switzerland by air, regardless of origin, in order for the shipment to clear customs.
Shipping from UK to NI
If you are running a business based out of the UK and most of your customer base is in Northern Ireland, you will require the following to ship your products:
Customs Declaration
Goods shipped from the UK to Northern Ireland will be subject to customs declarations. It should show a detailed description of the goods along with the HS Code.
Commercial Invoice
Customers should provide a commercial invoice that includes an HS code, description, value, shipper, & receiver EORI numbers, incoterms, and signature.
Tax and Duty Rates
If you are moving goods from the UK to Northern Ireland you need to check the tax and duty rates to be paid. Ireland will be obliged by law to charge the third country duty rate on imports from the United Kingdom. This is the default that applies where there is no particular preference under a trade agreement.
EORI Number
If you are moving goods from the UK (England, Scotland & Wales) to Northern Ireland, you will need to have an EORI Number. If you don’t have one, apply for an XI EORI Number. Providing this number to Customs officials allows them to instantly identify you or your company, allowing your items to move through customs without delay & simplify the customs process.
Shipping from NI to EU or the EU to EU
If you are running a business based out of Northern Ireland and most of your customer base is in the EU, or you are shipping within European Union, you will not require Custom Declarations, hence no clearance, tariffs, or restrictions on trade.
Since shipments do not have to clear customs, therefore you don’t require any export documentation such as a commercial invoice & EORI number.
Ease your Shipping across Europe
If you are an eCommerce business owner, you can set up your store with the help of the platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Bigcommerce & Magento. To ship products to customers across Europe,use the following shipping solutions certified by global carriers like UPS, FedEx, DHL, and Parcelforce Worldwide:
- Shopify Multi-Carrier Shipping Label App
- WooCommerce Shipping Services
- BigCommerce Multi-Carrier Shipping Label App
- Magento Multi-Carrier Shipping Label App
Interested in learning more about shipping across Europe after Brexit or how PluginHive can provide you with the perfect shipping solution? Reach out for a conversation with our shipping experts today!
