One of the largest parcel delivery companies in the UK has suspended its road delivery services into Europe and the Republic of Ireland as a result of more complex customs processes post-Brexit.
The company also said that up to 20% of parcels have been returned to sender as they have incorrect or incomplete data attached to them.
Road delivery services will be suspended until at least January 13. DPD UK will use the pause in operations to “validate the data we have in our system, reduce the delay” and give customers the opportunity to give it the correct data it needs in order to export, from next week, successfully.
Cross border deliveries between the UK and the EU are now subject to new customs and VAT rules following the UK leaving the EU. “Both individuals and companies now need to fill in new documentation including detailed item descriptions, proof of origin and the reason for sending their parcel. In addition, VAT-registered sellers who wish to avoid delays must quote their EORI numbers and the tariff codes of the goods they are shipping,” said ParcelHero’s head of consumer research, David Jinks MILT, in a recent article for Parcel and Postal Technology International.
As a result of these new rules, postal deliveries are being delayed at ports as couriers get to grip with the more rigid requirements.
In a message to its customers, DPD UK said, “The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement was very welcome but leaving the Single Market and Customs Union still requires significant changes to the way we take your parcels cross-border.
“It’s been a challenging few days for our international operation and our teams have been working round the clock to process your data for parcels bound for Europe and the Republic of Ireland.
“It has now become evident that we have an increased burden with the new, more complex processes, and additional customs data we require from you for your parcels destined to Europe. This has placed extra pressure on our turnaround and transit times. In view of this unprecedented set of circumstances we believe that it is only right to pause and review our road service into Europe, including the Republic of Ireland.”
DPD UK will review the suspended services on Tuesday, January 12.