On 1 January 2021, the United Kingdom (UK) got the status of a third country from the perspective of the European Union. This means that the movement of goods and thus the dispatch of parcels between the EU and the UK has been subject to customs supervision from this date. Customs formalities are therefore required, but no customs duties will be levied on goods of EU origin.
Hence, only shipments for which the shipper provides the full parcel and customs data will be processed.
Requirements for export to the UK at a glance
EORI number
For shipping to countries outside the EU, you require a so-called EORI number for your business (Economic Operators' Registration and Identification). You can apply for an EORI number from the German customs authorities.
Goods classification on the basis of customs tariff numbers (HS code numbers)
Goods shipments to non-EU countries must be classified. For this, customs use goods or customs tariff numbers, so-called HS code numbers. This defines which goods are included in your shipment and how high the import duties and other import taxes are.
Documents required for customs
- Commercial or pro forma invoice
For shipments to the UK a commercial or pro forma invoice in English is required. A commercial invoice is required for goods with commercial value and the pro forma invoice for goods without commercial value. - Export declaration
When a goods value of €1,000 is reached, shippers in Germany need an electronic export declaration for parcel transportation to the UK. In Germany, this is done via ATLAS (Automated tariff and local customs clearance system).
Your export to the UK is always in safe hands with GLS
GLS customers rely on existing, proven processes for smooth imports and exports, including of deliveries requiring customs clearance:
- As a subsidiary of the British Royal Mail we are specialists in the UK business.
- GLS has for many years been customers' reliable partner for parcel deliveries across Europe and the world.
- Specialists in export and customs issues take care of the particular needs of customers trading internationally.
- GLS will continue to give customers extensive support also for shipments to the UK.
Further information and downloads
Information about parcel shipping to the UK in detail - including information about Incoterms, creation of parcel labels, customs data collection via the GLS customs portal, lead times to the UK, UKCA marking as well as helpful links - can be found in the following documents in our downloads section:
