Independent international guidance for UK retailers
The International Deskby Scott Gillett
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CUSTOMS, DUTIES & DELIVERY

What’s changing?

Find the changes that affect your goods—not just the newest headline.

More filters · For retailers

“In force” is the date status. Check the goods and route to see whether you need to act. These filters apply to updates; practical guides remain available in search.

12 updates
European UnionIn force

EU fresh ginger and turmeric: new plant-health checks from 15 October

Relevant to: UK retailers and wholesalers sending fresh ginger or turmeric roots from Great Britain to EU customers, including stock grown in another country and re-exported through Britain.

Check before sending affected goods

Confirm the production origin, the applicable pest-free or production-site route, and the additional declaration with your plant-health authority and EU importer before dispatch. Check that the certificate and evidence can be obtained; a carrier label alone is not sufficient.

In force since
Published 15 Oct 2026Last reviewed 15 Oct 2026
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European UnionPartly in force

EU PFHxA restrictions: check clothing, footwear and other consumer goods

Relevant to: UK retailers supplying covered clothing, accessories, footwear, food-contact paper/cardboard, consumer mixtures or cosmetics to the EU.

Check before sending affected goods

Ask suppliers for evidence against REACH Annex XVII entry 79. Check the affected materials and any exception before EU supply; do not assume UK-held stock qualifies for the existing-stock transition.

Next phase:
Published 14 Oct 2026Last reviewed 14 Oct 2026
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European UnionIn force

Austria’s €2 parcel tax starts on 1 October: check who is liable

Relevant to: UK businesses selling goods to Austrian consumers, particularly large distance sellers and retailers using facilitating marketplaces. Direct liability depends on the Austrian-sales threshold and selling model.

Check before sending affected goods

Identify the liable seller or platform, test the €100 million Austrian-sales threshold and check payment-acceptance records. If directly liable, arrange reporting and any required Austrian fiscal representative; do not automatically add €2 to every order.

In force since
Published 30 Sept 2026Last reviewed 30 Sept 2026
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European UnionUpcoming

Italy postpones its €2 parcel charge to 1 December 2026

Relevant to: UK retailers sending covered low-value goods for import into Italy, and businesses preparing Italian delivery prices.

Check before sending affected goods

Check that planned October charges reflect the postponement. Ask your customs representative how the national charge would apply to your route; keep separate EU duties, taxes and fees distinct.

From
Published 18 Sept 2026Last reviewed 18 Sept 2026
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European UnionPartly in force

EU changes its EUDR product list: what UK retailers should recheck

Relevant to: UK businesses supplying EU customers with products potentially covered by EUDR, particularly the amended coffee, palm-oil, leather, rubber and wood entries.

Check before sending affected goods

Recheck the exact product code and materials against the amended Annex I, agree responsibilities with the EU importer and record the applicable product and operator deadline.

Next phase:
Published 17 Sept 2026Last reviewed 17 Sept 2026
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European UnionGuidance

EU shipping in November: what UK retailers should prepare now

Relevant to: UK retailers selling online to EU customers and sending those goods from outside the EU. This is a preparation refresher, not a new rule announcement.

Check before sending affected goods

Collect the product references, ask your suppliers for missing data and test that it reaches your customs declarant. Model the adopted €2 handling fee per customs item, but confirm the collection date before activating charges.

Published 14 Sept 2026Last reviewed 14 Oct 2026
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European UnionIn force

Netherlands confirms settlement-goods ban from 22 September: origin checks for UK sellers

Relevant to: Businesses supplying the Netherlands with goods potentially originating from the affected Israeli settlements.

Check before sending affected goods

Obtain production-location evidence and confirm the requirements applying from 22 September 2026 with the broker before sending affected goods.

In force since
Published 9 Sept 2026Last reviewed 9 Sept 2026
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European UnionUpcoming

Northern Ireland EUDR rules: new information required for affected parcels from December 2026

Relevant to: Businesses sending in-scope cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm-oil, rubber, soya or wood products from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

Check before sending affected goods

Check whether each product is in scope, identify your EUDR role and prepare the required due-diligence information before the date applying to your business.

From
Published 7 Sept 2026Last reviewed 7 Sept 2026
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European UnionProposed / awaiting confirmation

EU adopts €2 ecommerce handling fee; collection date still pending

Relevant to: UK businesses making distance sales of goods to EU consumers.

No immediate general seller change

Model €2 per customs item plus applicable VAT for future distance sales, including orders above €150. Confirm the legal collection date and your provider’s accounting arrangements before activating charges.

Published 26 Aug 2026Last reviewed 7 Oct 2026
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Showing 9 of 12 updates