Brexit: Goods consignments to Great Britain
What impacts will Brexit have on shipments to Great Britain?

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The number of customs tariff numbers per export for shipments to the United Kingdom is currently limited to 65 tariff numbers. For further information, please contact the Swiss Post GLS customer service at e-mail infogls@swisspost.ch or by telephone on 0848 858 686.

Great Britain leaving the European Union has an impact on sending goods to Great Britain. Goods will be shipped from Swiss business customers to Great Britain with the customary quality.

The following changes came into force on 1 January 2021:

  • The exemption limit for commercial goods consignments worth up to GBP 15 will no longer apply, meaning that each goods consignment being sent to the UK will be subject to VAT from the first pound sterling in value.
  • For consignments containing goods with an intrinsic value (excluding VAT and transport costs) of up to GBP 135, the seller or sales platform will be responsible for paying the VAT owed to the British tax authority, HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs). No customs duties will be incurred as a general rule. In order to pay, business senders must register in the UK for tax purposes by applying for a UK VAT number and a UK EORI number.
  • If the recipient has a UK VAT number, the VAT will be settled via a reverse charge. In this case, “reverse charge: customer to account for VAT to HMRC” must be stated on the commercial invoice.
  • Consignments containing goods worth over GBP 135 can also continue to be sent to the UK without VAT registration.
  • For consignments containing excisable goods (including alcohol and tobacco), the existing regulations will continue to apply.
  • For non-commercial goods consignments between private individuals, the existing regulations will apply and consignments will be exempt from import levies (VAT and customs duty) up to a goods value of GBP 39. 

Swiss Post GLS

You can find further information on the GLS website.

URGENT Business

URGENT Business consignments are processed and delivered worldwide via the TNT/FedEx network. Their team in the UK is prepared and provides information on a special website. The basic information on Swiss Post GLS and PostPac International concerning registration, goods values and scope of applicability also apply to URGENT Business. The EU Clearance option is no longer available when sending to Great Britain.

Parcels and small goods consignments

You can find FAQs on the commercial sending of goods via PostPac International and small goods consignments here.

More information: 

Postal parcels being sent to the UK will be processed and delivered by our local partner Parcelforce, the parcel division of the state commissioned postal company Royal Mail. Information on Brexit is available on their website.

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General questions

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Swiss Post GLS Customer Service

+41 848 85 86 86 (CHF 0.08/min. from landline phones within Switzerland)

Swiss Post URGENT Customer Service

0800 45 45 45

Swiss Post International Customer Service

CHF 0.08/min. from landline phones within Switzerland
+41 848 48 48 47

Would you like a quotation?

0848 458 458