When you send a parcel anywhere outside the UK - including the EU - you will need to provide documentation that allows your item to be cleared by customs on arrival.
This guide explains customs declarations, duties, taxes, and the important changes coming into effect for EU shipments from 1st July 2026.
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Customs is the authority that controls what is shipped in and out of a country. It ensures prohibited goods are stopped at the border, and that governments receive the correct tax and duty on imported goods.
Each country has its own rules on what can and cannot be imported, so it is always worth checking with the customs authority in your destination country before sending a parcel overseas.
Whether you are a private individual or a business, all international parcels require a customs declaration. This is a document that provides customs with information about the items you are sending. It includes:
Businesses will also need to provide:
The information on the customs declaration determines what fees apply. It is essential that everything you declare is accurate.
That’s simple. When you send an international parcel through Parcel Monkey, we do all the paperwork for you.
During the booking process, we will ask you questions about the items you are shipping and generate a completed customs declaration, which we will email alongside your shipping labels.
Print four copies of the customs declaration. Place one inside the parcel. Put the remaining three in a plastic wallet or an envelope marked 'customs' and attach it to the outside of the parcel alongside your shipping label.
Getting your customs declaration right helps avoid delays and additional charges:
Some countries require the tax ID of the recipient or their passport number. These countries include South Africa, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Argentina
For locations such as India, you may need to complete a 'Know Your Customer' form. This will be provided by customs for the recipient to complete. It checks the recipient is who they say they are and helps prevent fraud.
International parcels may have customs duties and taxes applied on arrival. The amount varies depending on what you are sending, its declared value, and the destination country.
Parcel Monkey shipments are sent Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU) by default. This means any duties or taxes are the responsibility of the recipient and will need to be paid before the parcel can be delivered. Customs will contact the recipient directly to collect payment.
It is important to let your recipient know in advance that charges may apply. Always provide accurate contact details during booking so customs can reach them without delay.
This is an important update for anyone sending parcels to EU member states.
From 1st July 2026, the EU is removing its duty-free threshold for low-value parcels. Previously, items valued under €150 could enter the EU without attracting customs duty. That is changing.
The charge is based on HS commodity codes, not the number of units in the parcel.
Example 1 - Single product type:
| Product | HS Code | Duty |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton T-shirt (x3) | 6109.10 | €3 |
| Total (1 HS code, 1 parcel) | €3 |
Example 2 - Mixed product types:
| Product | HS Code | Duty |
|---|---|---|
| Silk blouse (x1) | 6206.10 | €3 |
| Wool blouse (x2) | 6206.20 | €3 |
| Cotton scarf (x1) | 6214.20 | €3 |
| Total (3 HS codes, 1 parcel) | €9 |
Some EU member states have introduced their own additional charges on top of the EU-wide €3 duty.
| France - in force since 1 March 2026 |
|---|
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France introduced a small parcel tax (Taxe sur les petits colis) for B2C parcels valued under €150 arriving from outside the EU. This applies in addition to the EU-wide duty and is already live.
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Because all Parcel Monkey shipments are sent without delivery duties paid, your EU recipients may face unexpected duty charges at the point of delivery. This can lead to refused deliveries, failed delivery attempts, and parcels being returned.
To avoid this, we recommend:
If on the tracking you see that your parcel has been held in customs, contact the recipient to ensure they have been contacted by customs and if they haven't, get in touch with Parcel Monkey and we can contact the courier to resolve this.
Unfortunately, delays can occur in customs and there is sometimes nothing that can be done until they have taken the time to clear the goods for you. Parcel Monkey has no control over this and neither does the sender, so do let the recipient know that delays are possible.
As a courier reseller service, we do not have direct contact with customs, we liaise with the courier you booked through our quote engine to resolve any issues.
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