EU customs

[Paddwood]

Is it just me or are all EU countries deliberately holding all parcels from the UK for an excessively long 'customs check'? Anything I send these days it always held for one of their checks, lasting several weeks. Anything I order from the EU is delivered swiftly, but it feels like we're being targeted, given another telling off for Brexit.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

There’s no evidence that EU customs are deliberately slowing UK parcels as a political message. (but no evidence does not mean it may not be happening, just that it's unlikely)

What is happening is:

The UK became a “third country” overnight

Millions of people and businesses were suddenly sending parcels with unfamiliar rules

EU customs systems are strict and bureaucratic by design

Backlogs + paperwork issues = long delays

Why EU→UK parcels often arrive faster

The UK’s import system is currently:

More automated

Less strict on low‑value items

More tolerant of vague descriptions

Faster at releasing parcels before VAT collection (because VAT is often collected at checkout)

EU customs offices are overloaded

Some EU countries — especially Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Greece — have backlogs because:

They receive huge volumes of parcels

They have fewer customs officers

They prioritise commercial shipments over personal parcels

This creates long queues for low‑value personal items.

[Paddwood]

It's an interesting insight. All I can say is that over the past few months, I've sent 6 items to the EU - Italy x3, Belgium, France, and Portugal. Varying values from £35 to £200. All 6 were held by customs for checks lasting up to 4 weeks.

Sent 2 items to the US, one to Australia, all received in 8 days.