WELL PREPARED FOR BREXIT WITH DHL EXPRESS

The UK and EU trade deal that was announced on Christmas Eve provides more clarity for UK and EU trade from the end of the transition period. As our own teams work through the detail of the deal, we’d like to confirm the essential requirements for shipping from 1 January 2021.

Customs Declarations will be required for shipments between Great Britain and the European Union (and vice-versa). Although the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement refers to ‘zero tariffs’ (zero customs duties), this doesn’t replace the need to generate a Customs Declaration and so a Commercial or Pro-forma Invoice is required. The trade deal only applies to Customs duties, meaning that in most cases Customs duties will not be applied to goods fulfilling all necessary “rules of origin” requirements. However, VAT will still be levied. Customs declarations are therefore required for goods to clear the border, as the UK will have left the single market and the customs union. Country-specific restrictions will still be in place and any associated licences will also be required.

• Rules of Origin Requirements: in order to benefit from the EU-UK Trade Agreement ‘zero tariff’ (zero Customs duties), it’s essential that you provide evidence of the country of origin in the Commercial or Pro-forma Invoice for both B2B and B2C shipments –  please do this using the statement below for UK or EU goods fulfilling the relevant rules of origin requirements. Without the statement, it will not be possible for DHL to claim the duty relief, and it may not be possible for DHL to amend the documentation post-clearance without additional charges, if at all.

The exporter of the products covered by this document (Exporter Reference No.*) declares that, except where otherwise clearly indicated, these products are of …  preferential origin. (Place and date**): (Name of the exporter):

IMPORTANT:  The goods Country of Origin must be calculated and recorded accurately, and it is your responsibility to do this. For more info on this you can contact your Chamber of Commerce.

*: The Exporter Reference No. is required for all UK to EU shipments (this reference is your GB EORI number). For shipments from the EU to the UK, the Exporter Reference No. (this reference is your REX number) is only required where the value of the shipment exceeds 6,000 EUR / £5,700.
**: may be omitted if the information is contained on the document itself

• Changes to UK VAT regulations are introduced as well, as this regulatory change is not part of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, and applies to shipments being imported into the UK from any country worldwide. This means that most shipments valued at more than £135 will attract VAT on importation from any country, including the EU. For shipments with a value of £0-£135 when being sold by businesses to consumers in the UK, VAT will need to be collected at the point of sale and will therefore be the seller’s responsibility.

• Preparing Shipment Paperwork: DHL updated its shipping systems with the correct product codes and reference tables required. If you use one of our bespoke tools where you make your own technical changes, please also make the changes before preparing any shipment paperwork.

• Day Definite International (DDI) road services remain suspended. If you have shipments prepared and ready to go, please ensure new waybills and customs paperwork is prepared after 11:00 GMT / 12:00 CET on 1 January 2021 when the systems have been updated. This will ensure all paperwork is correct. Please be aware that our intention is to restart the service as soon as possible in January, however this remains fluid as we closely monitor the situation at the border. We will keep you updated.

• Northern Ireland customers can continue to trade as you do now, as customs paperwork will not be introduced when trading with the EU. For customers sending goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland we await confirmation of the final requirements, so in the meantime please continue to use the DHL domestic product code for shipping from Great Britain to Northern Ireland until further notice.

  • All changes to European customs legislation in 2021 bundled here: https://www.dhl-eucustoms.com

What has changed for me?

Customs declarations are required for import and export with the UK. In addition, you need to consider the following:

  • Duties and taxes on import into the UK and EU.
  • Customs declarations are required for trade between the UK and EU.
  • Rates and additional surcharges could change as a result of customs handling.
  • Possible additional inspections for certain goods such as animal and plant products.

How do I prepare for Brexit in 14 steps

Because of the Brexit, the UK became a country outside of the EU. As a result, a customs declaration will always be necessary for clearance in import and export. DHL Express always handles customs declarations for all your shipments to countries outside of the EU. This means no hassle for you and enables quick clearance at customs. You do need to reckon with duties and taxes for imports.

The benefits of shipping with DHL Express

  • DHL Express handles all your customs declarations for shipments to and from the UK
  • Also in the UK, DHL Express is market leader with many years of experience, an extensive local network and local expertise.
  • DHL Paperless Trade – create your customs invoice online and transmit electronically to DHL Express, allowing for faster customs clearance

DHL Paperless Trade saves time and paperwork by creating and sending your Commercial or Proforma customs invoice via your online shipping application. This eliminates the need to print documents and physically attach them to your shipments. Your invoice will be sent directly to Customs to allow for faster customs clearance. As well as saving you valuable time when preparing your shipments, this free service will help you save on paper and printing costs, while also making a positive contribution to the environment.

Watch our Brexit Webinar

You have chosen not to accept Youtube cookies

You have chosen not to accept Youtube cookies

Brexit FAQ

Brexit Basics

The United Kingdom (UK) left the European Union (EU) on January 31, 2020 (midnight Belgian time). From this moment, a transition phase applies, until December 31, 2020. During this period, all EU rules and laws for the UK remain in force.

The UK will leave the EU in Brexit. Until January 1, 2021, nothing will change for trade with the UK. After this date, customs declarations are required for import and export.

Negotiations are currently underway on the trade agreement. If these negotiations succeed, lower import duty rates may be applicable for certain goods. If not, keep in mind that more import duties have to be paid.

DHL Express & Brexit

DHL is busy preparing for Brexit with European and national teams. For example, adjustments have been made to our IT systems and online shipping applications. There are processes for hiring more employees, both in Belgium, the EU and the United Kingdom, and DHL has made a plan for all Brexit scenarios.

Customers & Brexit

Regardless of Brexit, a customs declaration will always be required at import and export. However, the moment at which this becomes a requirement, depends on whether a hard of soft Brexit scenario is chosen.
In addition, please take into account the following:
• Customs duties and VAT will apply upon import into the UK and EU.
• Customs invoices will be required for trade between the UK and EU.
• Rates and additional surcharges may change as a result of customs clearance.
• Any additional inspections may be required for certain goods such as animal and plant products.

Due to the costs associated with Brexit and the investment we have to make, we are forced to introduce a Brexit surcharge. Cost factors include changes in customs and import regulations that significantly impact DHL Express operational costs.

The surcharge applies from 1 January 2021 to all dutiable shipments between the EU and the UK, both import and export. This has been set at € 0.25 per kg with a minimum amount of € 5 per shipment.

After Brexit, shipments that are sent using our Time Definite services, will be transported via air from and to the United Kingdom. In combination with our Paperless Trade (PLT) services and using billing service DTP, we anticipate minimal impact.

After Brexit, shipments that are sent using our Time Definite services, will be transported via air from and to the United Kingdom. In combination with our Paperless Trade (PLT) services and using the DTP Incoterm, we anticipate minimal impact.on the timely delivery of Express 9 and Express 12 shipments.

This is very client specific. It’s best to discuss this with your sales manager. Or contact us.

Within the EU, the sending of excise goods (alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, mineral oils) is subject to extensive regulations. There is no statutory exemption for carriers as applicable to private individuals. As a result, DHL Express can only transport excise goods within the EU under certain conditions. However, as soon as the United Kingdom leaves the EU, all shipments from and to the EU will be dutiable and DHL Express will process the payment of excise duties via the customs declaration.

As long as the UK is still part of the EU, gifts are exempt from duties and taxes provided that the shipment’s value does not exceed the threshold of €45,-. After Brexit (soft or hard) you can still receive gifts from the UK in the EU below this threshold value. DHL Express will take this into account in the customs declaration. However, for sending gifts to the UK after Brexit, it is unclear whether the UK will also apply an exemption and if so, what the threshold value will be. DHL Express will keep you informed of the developments

You need to add the same document as you normally do for other countries outside the EU. That means at least a commercial or pro forma invoice. DHL Express will keep you informed of any changes or exceptions to this process. If you have any questions, please contact our Customer Service at +32 2 715 50 50.

Of course, that is possible. Customers can take out the same insurance just like for shipments to other countries outside the EU.

After Brexit, your shipments to the UK will become dutiable. This will naturally also apply when your customers return the shipment. With the Easy Returns service, DHL Express ensures that the returning goods re-enter the EU without payment of duties. Quickly and easily!

Depending on the Brexit scenario and the de minimis threshold value, you could consider our billing service ‘Duty Taxes Paid (DTP). As the shipper, you will then pay the duties and VAT. Offering an all-in price will prevent surprises for your webshop-customer, optimizing their online purchase and shipping experience.

DHL Shipping Tools

No adjustments are required in MyDHL+.

For our other systems it is best to take a look at the documents below to prepare yourself.

Paperless Trade

LESS PAPER, MORE SPEED
Save time and money when creating your dutiable shipment, reduce paperwork and make a postive contribution to the environment with DHL Paperless Trade. Transit your commercial or pro forma invoices online. This free service eliminates the need to print and physically attach customs document to your shipment. Getting started is very easy!

Get Started

Customer Presentation

You can find more information about the BREXIT in this complete presentation.

Download now

Do you have questions about the Brexit?

Contact us!