Online shipments from the EU have fallen by 50% since Brexit, London Business News

Online shipments from Europe to the UK fell by more than half in the first quarter of 2021, according to new data.

Shipments from the EU to the UK are down 50.7% compared to the fourth quarter of 2020. New shipping requirements and additional VAT charges have had a dramatic impact on the number of packages sent to the UK.

The results from the e-commerce shipping platform Sendcloud highlight the delivery problems online retailers face when struggling to overcome delivery complications after Brexit.

New ONS figures showed that the value of imports from the EU fell by £ 6.6 billion in January 2021 – the biggest drop on record.

Research shows that high delivery costs (51%), potential customs duties (38%) and long delivery times (32%) discourage UK consumers from shopping in international stores.

Commenting on the data, Rob van den Heuvel, CEO and co-founder of Sendcloud, said: “Brexit shouldn’t prevent retailers from buying and shipping overseas. However, from these results it can be seen that many retailers are struggling to overcome post-Brexit delivery issues. As a result, consumers are much less likely to shop internationally.

“In order to continue smooth international trade with our European neighbors, it is important for UK retailers to optimize their international shipping. A future-proof strategy requires a thorough understanding of international trade rules and how they affect day-to-day operations.

Van den Heuvel added: “When moving goods between the UK and the EU, remember to have an EORI number and add a commercial invoice and a CN22 or CN23 depending on the carrier you choose. Preparing for local VAT and customs regulations is also required as many consumers and retailers are already facing additional fees. “