After Brexit, imports from European countries are now largely regulated the same way as from any other country outside the EU. For example, the USA or China.
A topic not often written about though, is what happens when someone needs to return an imported item to a country abroad.
Brexit has changed customs rules for shipping to and from Europe. We’ll break all of the new Brexit customs rules down as well as show you how to get a refund of customs fees if you need to return a purchase abroad.
What changes has Brexit brought to UK shoppers?
Pre-Brexit, the UK was a member of the EU VAT zone. This meant UK citizens and permanent residents did not have to pay customs or handling fees when importing goods from other countries in the European Union to the UK.
After Brexit, European country imports have been subjected to the same customs rules the rest of the world was before, which means a lot more work for the government, retailers and couriers. Customs authorities need to check all packages arriving in the UK and their customs declarations to determine whether import VAT customs duties or excise duty are payable. More admin and paperwork generally means more fees and slower delivery times for consumers.
Customs duty
Customs or import duty is a tax levied on goods coming from outside the UK worth over £135. The import duty rate depends on the value, type, and origin of the goods.
HMRC uses tariff codes during the customs clearance process to calculate the amount of import duty owed on an item.
What’s the Zero-tariff agreement?
But there is good news.
As part of the Brexit negotiations, the UK and EU signed The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which gives a preferential rate on import duty for items that have originated from the European Union.
And even better news: that rate is 0%.
Under the Zero-Tariff Agreement, no import duty will be charged for goods originating in the European Union.
It’s really important that the items actually originate from the European Union, and that they’re not just sent from the EU. If you order something from an EU country, but it was actually made somewhere else like the USA or China, you will not be exempt from paying customs duty.
To get the 0% preferential duty rate, the item needs to have what’s called a proof of origin or a certificate of origin. You can ask the seller to attach customs declaration forms with the shipment.
Shipping to Europe after Brexit – How to return items to Europe.
We believe that different customs rules shouldn’t prevent you from shopping with your favourite retailer abroad if that’s what you want to do. It might be a bit more complicated than before, but the rules have been written so that it’s as low risk as possible. If something you’ve bought does not fit or turns out to be a miss, you can still return it for a refund.
Once you get confirmation that your imported goods were returned to Europe, you can initiate the process of reclaiming customs charges and get a refund of import duty and VAT.
How to get your customs duty back?
The first step in the process is to contact the seller and inform them of the return. Make sure to review their return policy to be confident they’ll refund you for items you return.
Wrap up your goods to prevent them from being damaged in the transport, ideally using the original packaging or a sturdy box.
Once you’re ready to ship, you will be asked to fill out the customs declaration for the package. You should check the box for Returned Goods, like in the example below.
Once the seller receives your goods, you can ask them for a confirmation of returned goods. This document is essential to initiate a claim for a refund of customs charges on returned goods.
Claiming a refund of customs fees on goods returned to Europe
If you’re planning to return an item to a retailer abroad, or it’s been less than 365 days from the point you returned something, you could be eligible for a refund of customs charges.
There are some specific situations when you can also get an import duty refund:
- If you returned only one item from an order initially worth over £135
- If you received a partial refund from the retailer
- If you’ve received the refund from the retailer but didn’t return the items
- If you’ve never received your items but paid all taxes, and the retailer issued you a refund.
You have two options:
- Reclaim customs charges with Duty Refunds
- Reclaim customs charges with HMRC
Right now, there are two ways you can make a claim for a refund. The first is by doing it yourself and taking the traditional route of liaising directly with HMRC, but this can be complicated and time-consuming.
Many customers find it difficult to find all the details that HMRC require such as the import entry numbers or the courier’s VAT number. It can also be a struggle to get hold of the courier or HMRC for an answer and you often end up going around in circles! It can take weeks and even months from the start of your claim to receiving the refund from HMRC. The other negative is that if your claim is rejected due to missing details, HMRC will NOT notify you of this. So, you’ll be further wondering what went wrong.
The second option is to use Duty Refunds, which is hassle-free and has no fee if your claim isn’t successful. As the first and only online import duty and VAT refund platform for UK shoppers – we’re experts at getting money back that is rightfully yours! We have successfully claimed refunds on returned goods worth over £500,000. When your claim is successfully paid by HMRC we’ll pay it into your bank account minus our 15% fee.
Final thoughts
Brexit didn’t make customs rules more complicated – it just brought the EU in line with the customs rules the rest of the world’s imports were subjected to. With any change, it takes some getting used to, but ultimately buying and returning items from the EU is still possible.
If you’re planning to return items abroad or already have in the last 365 days, fill out our online form and initiate your claim in just a few clicks. Join our many satisfied customers and let us get you your money back in three to six weeks.
About Duty Refunds:
As the first and only online import duty and VAT refund platform for UK shoppers, Duty Refunds has helped customers refund their purchases amounting to half million pounds and is rated 4.9 excellent on Trustpilot. We also work extremely closely and are integrated with courier companies (eg: DHL, DPD, Fedex and Parcel force) and HMRC.
At Duty Refunds, we believe returning an item should be just as easy as buying it in the first place. Money and time should be spent on enjoying the fun bits of shopping and unboxing. If you need any help on duty & tax refund for your international shopping return. Please feel free to chat with us through our live chat, or fill in our online form in 5 mins and start your claim straight away.
FAQs
How does Brexit affect shipping?
After Brexit, UK citizens need to fill out the customs declaration forms for any imports or exports.
There are no significant delays in shipping from the UK to Europe and vice-versa. If you’re interested in courier delivery times, you can check the guide we prepared.
Why is Brexit causing shipping delays?
Since the package needs to go through the customs clearance process, the delivery time may take longer. Customs officers review the parcels and the paperwork to approve your import, but this shouldn’t cause any major delays.
Your parcel could be held up in customs if you don’t pay the import charges – customs duty, import VAT, and handling fee. Make sure you have cleared your bill so the courier can deliver your parcel.
How long do UK customs take to clear packages post-Brexit?
UK customs usually complete the customs clearance process in a few hours or one day if no information is missing. They often start the process before your package arrives in the UK to avoid delays.
Can I ship to the EU after Brexit?
Yes, you can send parcels and gifts to Europe after Brexit, but you will need to fill out the customs declaration form, stating the type and value of the goods, as well as the reason for the export.
