International Delivery

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International
Courier Service

Whether you are expanding into new markets or already managing global deliveries, eCourier provides the expertise and infrastructure to support your business — handling the complexities of global delivery on your behalf.

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How it works

Global Logistics Expertise

Established routes & networks to destinations worldwide

Worldwide

Customs & Compliance Support

EORI, IOSS, DDP/DAP incoterms and post-Brexit guidance

Managed

End-to-End Visibility

Live tracking from UK collection to overseas delivery

Real-time

Dedicated Specialist Team

Expert international support available for every shipment

24/7

— About the Service

Global courier solutions with local expertise.

Whether you are expanding into new markets or already managing global deliveries, we provide the expertise and infrastructure needed to support your business every step of the way. Our international delivery experts make it simple for businesses to send shipments overseas with confidence, handling the complexities of global delivery on your behalf.

Established Routes

Trusted networks and regular lanes to destinations worldwide

Customs Support

Expert guidance on documentation, EORI, IOSS and post-Brexit compliance

Full Visibility

End-to-end shipment tracking from UK collection to overseas delivery

Dedicated Team

A specialist international team available to support every shipment

— Latest News

Service updates & alerts.

Stay up to date with the latest disruptions, customs changes and service alerts affecting international shipping routes.

UK National Air Traffic Services Delays — September 2026:

Due to a temporary disruption in the UK National Air Traffic Services (UK NATS) system, some domestic and international shipments may be subject to delays. Read the full update →

EU REGULATORY CHANGE · EFFECTIVE 1 JULY 2026

The EU de minimis duty exemption ends on 1 July 2026.

If you ship goods with a customs value of €150 or under into the European Union, an important change is now in effect that affects your shipments, costs, and the data you must submit.

B2C Shipments

€3 per declaration line

Applies to ALL imports €150. Charged per item line – 3 items = €9.

B2B Shipments

Standard duty rates

VAT-registered recipients – normal duty rates apply as before.

New mandatory product identifiers (B2C) – required from 1 July 2026

1 Merchant Product Identifier – your own internal product code
2 Non-standardised Manufacturer Product Identifier
3 Standardised Manufacturer Product Identifier – if one exists (e.g. EAN/GTIN)

Note: EU VAT rules remain unchanged. VAT applies to all EU imports regardless of value. The €3 duty is an additional charge per line item on top of any applicable VAT.

Panoramic view of Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport with control tower on a clear day.

UK National Air Traffic Services Delays – September 2026

September 10, 2026

UK National Air Traffic Services Delays – September 2026Dear customer,Due to a temporary disruption in…

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Central Europe Service Update – July 2026

July 17, 2026

Service Update: Central Europe Severe Weather DisruptionsDear customer,We have experienced some service disruption due to…

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EU Customs Update 1st July 2026

June 26, 2026

Important Update: Changes to EU Customs Duties from July 2026From 1 July 2026, changes to…

View all updates

— Documentation

The Commercial Invoice.

To ensure your package clears customs and reaches the receiver or recipient without delays, your commercial invoice must be completed accurately. Incorrect or missing information can cause your shipment to be held at customs.

Your invoice must be signed, dated, and submitted with four copies if using paper. Below is a complete checklist of everything required.

Missing or incorrect information can result in customs authorities holding your shipment.

Please review every field carefully before booking your collection.

Sender’s details — full name, address and contact phone number

Sender’s VAT / EORI number — required for customs declarations

Receiver’s details — name, full address, contact number, and VAT/EORI if available

Date of invoice — must match the shipping date

Full description of each item — including individual commodity codes (HS / tariff codes)

Country of origin — the country of manufacture for each item in the shipment

Quantity of each item — precise counts per line

Value of each item in GBP — and total value of all goods declared

Weight and number of items — total and per-item where applicable

Reason for export — e.g. sale, repair, loan, or gift

Incoterms — we will elect for DDP unless otherwise instructed (see below)

Signature and four copies — required if using paper invoices; must be included with the shipment

Need a Commodity Code?

You can search the full, official list of commodity codes (also known as HS or tariff codes) on the UK Government Trade Tariff service. Search commodity codes →

— International Trade Terms

Incoterms explained.

Formally known as International Commercial Terms, Incoterms are global trade rules established by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). They provide a standardised framework that clearly defines responsibilities, costs, and risk between buyer and seller at each stage of the journey.

eCourier supports two commonly used Incoterms:

DDP

Delivered Duty Paid

DUTIES, TAXES INCLUDED

The seller takes full responsibility for the shipment; covering all transportation costs, customs duties and taxes until the goods reach the buyer’s agreed destination. This provides the smoothest delivery experience for the recipient, with all costs handled upfront by the seller.

Transportation costs

Seller

Customs duties & taxes

Seller

Insurance

Seller

Import clearance

Seller

DAP

Delivered at Place

DUTIES, TAXES EXCLUDED

The shipper arranges international transportation, insurance and export documentation. The receiver is responsible for any customs charges and import duties when the goods arrive at their destination. A straightforward option for businesses managing their own import requirements.

To ship DAP: Select DAP on your booking and write “DAP” on your commercial invoice. If no incoterm is specified, we will default to DDP.

Transportation costs

Seller

Customs duties & taxes

Seller

Insurance

Receiver

Import clearance

Receiver

eCourier default: Unless otherwise instructed on your commercial invoice, we will elect for DDP. We will handle all duties and customs on your behalf for the smoothest possible recipient experience.

⚠️ Please note: DDP carries a £35.00 administration fee per shipment, which applies even where no duties are payable. If you would prefer to use DAP instead, please instruct us on your commercial invoice.

— Packaging Guidance

Packaging advice for international deliveries.

Proper packaging is essential for a smooth international delivery. Following our guidelines helps protect your shipment, reduces the risk of delays, and ensures it arrives safely at its destination.

Pack it right, first time.

International shipments travel further and change hands more often.
That makes packaging more critical than ever. Here are the key things to get right.

Use a double-wall box

For anything over 5kg or fragile items, single-wall isn’t sufficient for international transit.

Cushion all sides

At least 5cm of padding on all sides. Bubble wrap, foam, or packing peanuts all work.

Label clearly inside and out

Include address and reference inside the package in case the outer label is damaged.

Attach documents securely

Commercial invoice and customs documentation must be attached to the outside of the package.

Download Packaging Guide

— Max Dimensions

Maximum dimensions for international shipping.

eCourier’s standard international size and weight limits are shown below. Larger or heavier consignments may be possible. Please contact our team for a price on application (POA).

LIMIT	STANDARD	Extended (POA)	Notes
Max length	1.2 m	Up to 3 m POA	Longest single dimension
Max weight (per piece)	70 kg	Palletised POA	Unless palletised – contact team

Volumetric Weight = (L × W × H in cm) ÷ 5,000

Dimensions are charged on volumetric weight using a divisor of 5,000. The higher of actual or volumetric weight applies.

— FAQs

Frequently asked questions.

Find answers to frequently asked questions about our international courier services, deliveries, tracking and more.

How do I book international delivery with eCourier?

You will need to open an eCourier business account to book an international delivery. We are unable to process international shipments through credit card accounts.

Once your account is set up, you can book directly through our portal. Alternatively, send your shipment details along with your account number to customer.services@ecourier.co.uk and our team can provide a quote or arrange the booking for you.

What are the cut-off times for international bookings?

The cut-off time for booking a collection from Central London is 16:00.
If the collection is from an address outside London, bookings must be made before 15:30 on the previous working day. For some remote areas, please allow up to two days for collection.

What is an EORI number and why do we need it?

An EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) number is a unique identification number used by businesses to import or export goods between the UK and other countries. It is required for customs declarations, helping goods clear customs smoothly and avoiding unnecessary delays at the border.

For more information, visit: www.gov.uk/eori →

What are my VAT obligations when selling to the EU?

The EU VAT rules changed on 1 July 2021 with the introduction of the Import One Stop Shop (IOSS) scheme. The EU removed the previous €22 low-value consignment relief threshold, meaning all goods imported into the EU are now subject to VAT, which must be paid either by the seller or the buyer.

These changes introduced new responsibilities for online sellers shipping goods to EU customers. Contact our international team for specific guidance on your situation.

What is IOSS?

IOSS (Import One-Stop Shop) is a simplified VAT reporting model that enables sellers to register in a single EU location for all sales made to EU consumers. It applies where the total value of a sale of goods in a single shipment is below €150.

As a seller using IOSS, you are required to display the VAT paid by the buyer at the point of ordering, produce an invoice stating the price paid in EUR, and include your IOSS number with the shipment. This allows import VAT to be exempt when goods pass through customs. You then report the VAT collected in monthly IOSS returns.

Why is there a €150 threshold on consignment value?

VAT is due on all goods shipped into the EU. However, consignment values of above €150 are also likely to be subject to import duties on top of VAT. The information on your commercial invoice determines whether any duty is applicable.
IOSS only covers consignments with a value below €150. For orders above this threshold, you will need to use DAP or DDP models instead.

Does every seller have to register for IOSS when selling to the EU?

No – IOSS is a simplified process that allows you to ship to all 27 EU member states through one singular registration. You can still continue to ship using the DAP or DDP models. However, using both methods simultaneously is not possible for orders under €150.

What are maximum dimensions for international shipping?

eCourier’s standard dimensional limits for international shipping are:

Max length: 1.2m as standard (up to 3m available, price on application)
Max weight per piece: 70kg (unless palletised)

Dimensions are charged on volumetric weight, calculated using a divisor of 5,000: (Length × Width × Height in cm) ÷ 5,000.

What surcharges may apply to international deliveries?

The most common surcharge on international shipments is a Fuel Surcharge — a dynamic charge linked to wholesale jet fuel prices that may vary over time.

Shipments to particularly remote locations may also incur an Outer Delivery Area (ODA) charge, which we can confirm at the point of booking. Additional insurance cover is also available for consignments requiring extra protection.

International Courier Service

Global Logistics Expertise

Customs & Compliance Support

End-to-End Visibility

Dedicated Specialist Team

Global courier solutions with local expertise.

Established Routes

Customs Support

Full Visibility

Dedicated Team

Service updates & alerts.

UK National Air Traffic Services Delays — September 2026:

The EU de minimis duty exemption ends on 1 July 2026.

€3 per declaration line

Standard duty rates

New mandatory product identifiers (B2C) – required from 1 July 2026

The Commercial Invoice.

Missing or incorrect information can result in customs authorities holding your shipment.

Need a Commodity Code?

Incoterms explained.

DDP

DAP

Packaging advice for international deliveries.

Pack it right, first time.

Use a double-wall box

Cushion all sides

Label clearly inside and out

Attach documents securely

Maximum dimensions for international shipping.

Volumetric Weight = (L × W × H in cm) ÷ 5,000

Frequently asked questions.

International
Courier Service