The UK is due to leave the EU on March 29. At present, it remains unclear whether it will depart:

• under the amended terms of a Withdrawal Agreement negotiated by the UK government but subsequently rejected in the House of Commons
• with no agreement in what is known as a ‘no-deal Brexit’ 
• under the terms of some other solution

In the short term, it is almost certain that there will be no immediate changes following a Brexit deal. Any agreement will have a long lead-in time before any changes are introduced.

 

In the event of no deal, we will treat the UK the same as we do other non-EU countries, such as China or the USA, in terms of the movement of goods.

Depending on what type of Brexit is agreed, you may have to complete customs forms and apply the appropriate customs labels as you would if you were sending items outside the EU. The same process will apply as for sending goods to the USA, for example.  The following customs forms are available at your local post office:

• A CP72 for parcels or items with a value in excess of €300
• A CN22 for letters, large envelopes or packets containing items weighing less than 2kg
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If your business exports goods to the UK, depending on what type of Brexit deal is done, you may need to include:

• An Economic Operators’ Registration and Identification (EORI) number
• Harmonisation codes for the products you export

In order to trade with a country outside the EU, you need a unique EORI number which allows you to interact with customs authorities in any EU member state. Find out how to register for an EORI number online.

You may also need to include harmonisation, or commodity, codes for the products you export. These codes let customs know what your product is and what VAT or duty rate to charge for the goods. Find out more about classifying your goods for customs purposes.

As an expert in international mails and eCommerce logistics, we have been planning for the possible exit of the UK from the EU for two years and we have a comprehensive Brexit action plan in place for Irish and international mails and parcels customers.

This includes liaising with the relevant authorities in Ireland, Britain and the EU, including the Government, customs authorities, other logistics companies and industry groups, to make sure we are prepared to deal with whatever type of Brexit comes to pass.

We are working closely with the Irish Customs service, which has an embedded presence in our Mails and Parcels hubs, to prepare for all outcomes. We are also acquiring additional space and equipment and investing in IT and training for our staff.

In addition, we are setting up operational arrangements with our wholly-owned UK subsidiary Air Business, with Royal Mail and with other carriers to deal with both inbound and outbound mail and parcel traffic.

If your goods go through the UK en route to another destination within the EU, they will pass through our bonded facilities and won’t be affected. Bonded warehouses allow for the storage and transit of goods without payment of duty.

If you're returning unwanted shopping to the UK, or using services like Returnpal or returnmyshopping.ie, you may need to include a customs declaration form with your parcel if the UK leaves the EU customs union. Customs forms like the CP72 and CN22 are available at your local post office.

If the EU and the UK don't reach a customs agreement, goods coming to Ireland from the UK may be liable for duty and taxes except for:

• Items with a value less than €22
• Gift items worth less than €45

Depending on what type of agreement is reached between the EU and the UK, the movement of certain types of goods may be restricted or prohibited. You will be able to get up-to-date information from Revenue on goods that are restricted or prohibited for import or export.

If you are a business customer, you can contact your Account Manager to find out how we can help you to manage the challenges of Brexit.
Alternatively, you should check this website for further updates as events unfold or contact us for more information.