EU customs regime
All EU member states share the same customs framework. Post-Brexit UK is treated as a third country. Used personal effects typically clear without charges. New goods may attract VAT.
Non-EU countries
Turkey, Switzerland, Norway operate under different customs regimes. Turkey has significantly stricter rules — duty threshold as low as €30 for some shipments. Requires individual assessment.
What we handle
Excess Luggage Co. acts as your Direct Representative for customs. We prepare UK export and destination import documentation. You remain the legal declarant.
New goods — risk
New items in original packaging, electronics, and multiple identical items face higher scrutiny. Destination VAT rates range from 19% (Germany) to 27% (Hungary) on assessed goods.
Destinations
Choose your European destination
Select a region or search below. Each country page includes the specific customs rules, prohibited items, VAT rates, transit times, and key cities for unaccompanied baggage shipments from the UK.
Customs reference · all European destinations
Customs rules by country — unaccompanied baggage from the UK
This matrix covers the key customs variables for unaccompanied air freight shipments from the UK to each European country. This is not legal advice — customs rules can change. Excess Luggage Co. reviews this data quarterly. For complex shipments, contact our customs team before booking.
European customs matrix · UK unaccompanied baggage · June 2025
Applies to air courier and air cargo — not accompanied airline hold luggage| Country | Regime | Duty-free threshold | Standard VAT | Used personal effects | New goods | Key restrictions | Customs authority | Transit time |
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Important — passenger allowance does not apply:
The €430 EU duty-free allowance is a concession for travellers clearing customs in person. Unaccompanied baggage shipped by air courier or air cargo is assessed as a standalone third-country import under the EU Customs Code. Used personal clothing and everyday effects routinely clear without charges. However, new goods, high-value electronics, or multiple identical items may be assessed for local VAT and duty regardless of value. The €150 commercial goods duty exemption was abolished by EU member states agreement in November 2025, with a transitional €3 flat-rate duty applying from July 2026 — this primarily affects commercial e-commerce, not personal effects. Policy restrictions apply to certain countries — contact customer services before booking.
UK collection coverage
We collect from anywhere in the UK
Shippers come from all over the UK. Wherever you're based, our UK-wide collection network reaches you — homes, universities, hotels, and offices across the country, with detailed collection information for London, Heathrow, Hounslow, Leicester, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Reading & Slough.
Frequently asked questions
European luggage shipping — customs questions answered
Since Brexit, the UK is a third country for EU customs purposes. Unaccompanied baggage shipped by air courier or air cargo must be declared to EU customs and may be assessed for import VAT and duty. The €430 passenger duty-free allowance applies to travellers in person only — not to separate freight shipments. Used personal clothing, shoes, and everyday items routinely clear without charges. New goods, high-value electronics, or commercial quantities may attract local VAT (20% in France, 22% in Italy, 23% in Portugal etc.). Excess Luggage Co. handles all customs documentation but you remain the legal declarant responsible for accurate contents declaration.
Yes — significantly. Turkey is not an EU member and has its own customs regime. Since August 2024, Turkey reduced its simplified clearance threshold to €30 for incoming shipments, with duty rates of 30–60% for goods above this value. Turkish customs exemptions for personal effects apply primarily to accompanied baggage — unaccompanied shipments face stricter assessment. Contact our customs team before booking a shipment to Turkey to discuss your specific goods and likely customs outcome.
Post-Brexit, the UK is a third country for EU food import purposes. Fresh meat, dairy products, and most fresh animal products are prohibited from entering all EU member states from the UK. Packaged and processed food items in commercially sealed packaging are generally permitted subject to the applicable duty-free threshold. Turkey also prohibits meat and dairy imports. No alcoholic beverages are accepted in Excess Luggage Co. shipments. Always check destination-specific food import rules before including food items.
Most Spanish islands (Balearics, Canaries) and Portuguese islands (Azores, Madeira) are EU territories, but some have special customs status. The Canary Islands are outside the EU VAT area — different VAT rules apply (local IGIC tax instead of standard EU VAT). The Azores and Madeira have reduced VAT rates. The Balearic Islands follow standard Spanish EU customs rules. Each island destination page includes specific customs information for that territory.
Transfer of Residence relief allows people permanently relocating to an EU country to import their household goods and personal effects free of duty and VAT, provided items have been owned and used for at least six months. This is a separate process from holiday luggage shipping and requires specific documentation including proof of previous UK residence and proof of new EU residence. It does not apply to holiday shipments. If you are permanently relocating to a European country, contact our specialist relocation team before booking — the process is different to standard luggage shipping.