New charges for Manx parcels sent to EU countries

People sending parcels containing goods from the Isle of Man to countries in the European Union could face new customs charges from July, the Isle of Man Post Office has said.

The changes are being introduced by EU customs authorities and mean some parcels may be subject to customs duties, taxes or handling fees when they arrive.

The charges are set by the destination country, not by the Isle of Man Post Office, and any charges will be paid by the person receiving the parcel when it is delivered.

However, the post office said it was working to update its systems so that, by the end of August, any customs charges can be paid by the sender when they buy postage.

The changes also mean customers sending goods overseas will need to complete a larger customs declaration form. The new form asks for more information about what is being sent, its value and where it is going.

Parcels sent by businesses to customers in the EU valued at under 150 euros will be subject to a new €3 charge per product sent.

For people sending gifts to friends and family, the same charge will be applied on items valued between €45 and €150.

Personal gifts below €45 remain duty-free, and items valued over €150 are already subject to an EU customs charge.

The post office is advising customers sending goods to the EU to let recipients know that they may have to pay customs charges when the parcel arrives.

It also said it was continuing to work on restoring parcel services to the United States, although that depended on there being no further changes to US import rules.

The changes are part of a wider overhaul of the EU's customs system aimed at tackling the huge increase in low-value parcels entering the bloc from outside the EU.

They will affect anyone sending goods from the Isle of Man to EU countries, from individuals sending gifts to small businesses selling products to customers in Europe.

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