Importing and exporting by post
Introduction
Last updated: 20 September 2024
Royal Mail Group (RMG) is the UK’s designated Universal Postal Union Provider.
An express carrier is a company that delivers parcels (express consignments) within a set timeframe, offering a door-to-door collection and delivery service. It may include:
- express couriers
- fast parcel operators
- freight forwarders
The government and the EU have agreed the Windsor Framework. This includes details about the requirements that will replace the current requirements for sending parcels from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), to Northern Ireland.
The new arrangements under the Windsor Framework for parcels and freight movements that were envisaged to come into effect from 30 September 2024 will now not take effect on this date. While we will provide further information on the detailed timeline for the coming into effect of the new arrangements in due course, businesses should be fully prepared for them by 31 March 2025.
Find out about the future arrangements for moving parcels from Great Britain to Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework when the new arrangements take effect.
If you move goods to a business in Northern Ireland, you can apply for the UK Internal Market Scheme to make sure you’re ready for the changes when they take effect.
If you are responsible for moving business to consumer, consumer to business, or consumer to consumer parcels from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, check if you can apply for the UK Carrier Scheme.
This guide will help you understand more about how to declare goods when importing by post, calculating customs charges when importing by post and how to pay outstanding charges on goods imported by post.