Etsy will offer Royal Mail’s new postal delivery duties paid (PDDP) service for sellers sending to the European Union, following new customs requirements that came into effect on 1 July.
The new EU customs regime introduced a flat €3 customs duty on most business-to-consumer parcels valued under €150 entering the EU from outside the 27 member states.
Royal Mail’s solution enables duties to be calculated and paid when postage is purchased. The company stressed this provides a smoother experience for customers receiving parcels in Europe, and helps them to avoid unexpected charges.
For consumers and small businesses, such as Etsy sellers, postage can be purchased directly through the Etsy platform. Duties are then calculated and collected at the point of buying postage.
There is a £1 handling fee per parcel (50p for Ireland) to cover the additional costs associated with providing clearance services into the EU.
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Roman Sobieri, head of global shipping at Etsy, said: “Cross-border selling is one of the biggest opportunities for Etsy’s creative entrepreneurs, and navigating customs changes shouldn’t be a barrier.
“Our partnership with Royal Mail makes that easier. With duties calculated and paid directly on the Etsy platform at the point of postage, UK sellers can keep reaching buyers across Europe with confidence, and buyers get a seamless experience without unexpected charges at the door.”
Royal Mail now offers the services to the following EU destinations: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden.
Iain Johnson, managing director for international at Royal Mail, added: “We’re committed to helping UK businesses continue trading with customers across Europe. Our new service makes it easier for sellers to navigate the latest customs changes by collecting duties upfront and helping avoid delays or unexpected charges for customers.
“Exporting to the EU remains a significant opportunity for UK businesses, and we’re pleased to be working with partners like Etsy to help sellers reach European customers with confidence.”
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