How to stop parcel delivery surcharges when shipping into the EU [SAMOS e-commerce LTD](/)Open main menu Search Services Pricing Resources Blog [ Login ](https://connect.samos-e.com/login) ![If you ship to Europe...](https://samos-e.com/storage/45/conversions/do-you-ship-to-europe-main.jpg) How to stop parcel delivery surcharges when shipping into the EU ================================================================ The UK leaving the EU in January 2021 brought some significant changes to UK e-commerce businesses, including hefty surcharges from the mainstream parcel delivery companies. But what are they all for? - and how do you avoid them - including how to avoid DDP surcharges. ![Picture of Simon Perkins](https://samos-e.com/storage/129/conversions/TBA41DHHU-UB8G6TW2C-a6e01c7f48ad-512-main.jpg) Simon Perkins Commercial Director at SAMOS - [What are the all the parcel delivery surcharges charges when shipping into Europe (EU)?](#content-what-are-the-all-the-parcel-delivery-surcharges-charges-when-shipping-into-europe-eu) - [So, How do you avoid all these surcharges and offer competative, reliable shipping?](#content-so-how-do-you-avoid-all-these-surcharges-and-offer-competative-reliable-shipping) - [How do you trial SAMOS?](#content-how-do-you-trial-samos) - [Want to know more?](#content-want-to-know-more) 8th February 2021 Share this article - [Share on Facebook]() - [Share on WhatsApp]() - [Share on LinkedIn]() - Copy Link [\#](#content-what-are-the-all-the-parcel-delivery-surcharges-charges-when-shipping-into-europe-eu "Permalink")What are the all the parcel delivery surcharges charges when shipping into Europe (EU)? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Firstly, lets take a look at the surcharges faced by online retailers shipping orders in to the EU since Brexit. Then we'll show how you can avoid paying them altogether. **SURCHAGES! - and there are lots of them:** What looks, on the face of it, like a £12 charge for shipping a parcel to France for example - really isn't! Surcharges like the examples below are being widely justified by parcel delivery companies. Don't forget, they will come out of your margins, or you'll be forced to charge more which will directly reduce sales conversion. **1. 'Clearance' surcharges:** A parcel delivery company already knows that all parcels to the EU will require customs clearance - it's an obvious part of the delivery process - so why is it surcharged? It makes no sense! It's called various things such as ‘Brexit surcharge’ or ‘clearance surcharge’ or ‘UK Border Fee’ depending on the parcel delivery company. This is being applied to all EU shipments for customs clearance. Typically £3.50 to £5.00 are being added per parcel. **2. 'DDP' Surcharges**: DDP (or Deliver Duty Paid) ensures that VAT and duty is reversed back to the sender (you) in the UK so the receiver (your customer) doesn’t have the additional shock of having to pay VAT and duty due before the parcel is delivered, which can often result in a terrible customer experience and the shipment being refused and returned. Sounds like a great option until you realise that typical DDP surcharging by most of the major parcel carriers is between £15.00 and £20.00. We also understand that despite shipments being send DDP, UK E-com companies are still experiencing complaints from EU customers that VAT and fees are charged on delivery. **3. Other Surcharges**: When you also consider residential delivery surcharges, fuel surcharge, and in some circumstances an 'emergency situation' surcharge, decisions need to be made about seeking alternative delivery solutions. Residential surcharges average £2.80, fuel surcharge at 7.5% and 'emergency' surcharges around 1.5%. All these extra surcharges has meant that the cost of getting a parcel in to the EU has risen by an average 152% since Brexit. [\#](#content-so-how-do-you-avoid-all-these-surcharges-and-offer-competative-reliable-shipping "Permalink")So, How do you avoid all these surcharges and offer competative, reliable shipping? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **The SAMOS Process** The answer is that you choose a parcel carrier that doesn't surcharge, but still has ultra-low rates like SAMOS. SAMOS has engineered a parcel delivery service that is unique in the UK. We inject parcel volume directly in to the EU via a single entry point, then onwards into a European parcel delivery network. Our service avoids the additional costs other parcel delivery companies endure, and we pass those savings on to our customers. Our service is the best kept secret in e-commerce shipping - exporting, clearing and shipping in a completely new and radical way. We've created an enhanced alternative to European delivery services at a fraction of the hassle and cost, leaving the legacy services of other parcel delivery companies way behind. **The Best Bit - NO SURCHARGES!** You read that correctly - no surcharges - and that includes no EU 'clearance' surcharges, no DDP surcharge, no 'emergency' surcharge (what is that anyway?), no residential delivery surcharge, no fuel surcharge. Just a great service with easy, uncomplicated tariffs designed to make your life simpler, saving you money in the process. **EU VAT handling options** We offer different options for handling VAT for your EU shipments whether you have an IOSS number or not. Either way, we guarantee that your EU customers will never be asked for VAT and fees on delivery. Who else can realistically promise that? **90% coverage of global e-com markets** We offer a delivery service to over 90% of the global e-com markets with great rates and service, all delivered within 7 days. **Integrations** We integrate with most shop and WMS platforms in an instant, making processing labels and serving your customers a doddle. **Innovation** We are shaking up the parcel delivery business with new innovative options, designed to maximise your customer’s experience and grow your business fast. **Recommendation** Most of our new customers come from recommendation and referral and we think that says a lot about what we do - offering you real tangible alternative solutions to the status quo. [\#](#content-how-do-you-trial-samos "Permalink")How do you trial SAMOS? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Simply **[complete the online registration here](/start-shipping)** and we’ll get you up and running in no time. [\#](#content-want-to-know-more "Permalink")Want to know more? -------------------------------------------------------------- [**Frequently Asked Questions about the SAMOS service**](/resources/frequently-asked-questions) ![Picture of Simon Perkins](https://samos-e.com/storage/129/conversions/TBA41DHHU-UB8G6TW2C-a6e01c7f48ad-512-main.jpg) Simon Perkins Commercial Director at SAMOS - [What are the all the parcel delivery surcharges charges when shipping into Europe (EU)?](#content-what-are-the-all-the-parcel-delivery-surcharges-charges-when-shipping-into-europe-eu) - [So, How do you avoid all these surcharges and offer competative, reliable shipping?](#content-so-how-do-you-avoid-all-these-surcharges-and-offer-competative-reliable-shipping) - [How do you trial SAMOS?](#content-how-do-you-trial-samos) - [Want to know more?](#content-want-to-know-more) 8th February 2021 Share this article - [Share on Facebook]() - [Share on WhatsApp]() - [Share on LinkedIn]() - Copy Link Who is SAMOS? ------------- SAMOS is parcel logistics company based in London, specialising in creating and engineering customer-focussed e-commerce parcel delivery and returns solutions. [Find out more about SAMOS ](/about-samos) What our customers are saying ------------------------------ SAMOS customers had difficulties shipping into the EU and beyond - until they found SAMOS. [Read more about our customers ](/customer-stories) How to contact SAMOS -------------------- Need more help or do you have any questions for us? Talk to us Why not try shipping with SAMOS? -------------------------------- Request a demo to learn more about how SAMOS can help you ship directly to your customers. [Request a demo ](/request-a-demo) ### Related Articles [![Shipping fragrances & cosmetics to the EU](https://samos-e.com/storage/168/conversions/Shipping-Fragrances--&-Cosmetics--to-the-EU-blog---Thumbnail-Graphic--main.jpg)](/blog/eu-shipping/problems-shipping-cosmetics-and-fragrances-across-the-eu-your-solution)25th July 2024[EU shipping](/blog/eu-shipping) ### [ Problems shipping cosmetics and fragrances across the EU? - your solution.](/blog/eu-shipping/problems-shipping-cosmetics-and-fragrances-across-the-eu-your-solution) We have your solution for shipping beauty products, fragrances and cosmetics across the EU – because you’re worth it! ![Picture of Ben Bagnulo](https://samos-e.com/storage/150/conversions/ben-main.jpg) Ben Bagnulo CEO at SAMOS [![Picture of EU flat with ships, trucks, planes and boxes](https://samos-e.com/storage/172/conversions/shipping-to-eu-you-must-talk-to-samos-thumbnail-main.jpg)](/blog/eu-shipping/shipping-to-eu-you-must-talk-to-samos)18th October 2023[EU shipping](/blog/eu-shipping) ### [ Shipping to EU and beyond? You must talk to SAMOS](/blog/eu-shipping/shipping-to-eu-you-must-talk-to-samos) European shipping can be challenging. Are you thinking about sending a parcel from Europe to the UK and wondering how you can ensure cheap and reliable deliveries with or without an IOSS? If so, then you need to talk to SAMOS. ![Picture of Simon Perkins](https://samos-e.com/storage/129/conversions/TBA41DHHU-UB8G6TW2C-a6e01c7f48ad-512-main.jpg) Simon Perkins Commercial Director at SAMOS [![EU Logo and mega phone](https://samos-e.com/storage/220/conversions/Thumbnail-Graphic-main.jpg)](/blog/eu-shipping/postal-service-strike-eu-shipping-solution)14th December 2022[EU shipping](/blog/eu-shipping) ### [ Postal service strike (or international outage)? Your EU shipping alternative solution](/blog/eu-shipping/postal-service-strike-eu-shipping-solution) Regain complete control of your EU shipping during the postal strikes (or international outage) with SAMOS – your go-to delivery alternative to the postal services for EU e-commerce ![Picture of Simon Perkins](https://samos-e.com/storage/129/conversions/TBA41DHHU-UB8G6TW2C-a6e01c7f48ad-512-main.jpg) Simon Perkins Commercial Director at SAMOS Footer ------ ### Services - [Parcel Delivery ](/services/parcel-delivery) - [Parcel Returns ](/services/parcel-returns) - [All Integrations ](/services/integrations) - [Parcel Tracking ](/services/parcel-tracking) - [Shipping to the EU](/services/parcel-delivery/europe) - [Shipping fragrances & cosmetics to the EU](/blog/eu-shipping/problems-shipping-cosmetics-and-fragrances-across-the-eu-your-solution) - [Learn about IOSS for EU Shipping ](/blog/ioss) ### Integrations - [Shopify](/services/integrations/shopify) - [Shipstation](/services/integrations/shipstation) - [Linnworks](/services/integrations/linnworks) - [Mintsoft](/services/integrations/mintsoft) - [WooCommerce](/services/integrations/woocommerce) - [Shiptheory](/services/integrations/shiptheory) - [Despatch Cloud](/services/integrations/despatch-cloud) - [Magento](/services/integrations/magento) - [Pimento](/services/integrations/pimento) ### Company - [About SAMOS ](/about-samos) - [Customer Stories ](/customer-stories) - [Shipping Rates ](/pricing/samos-shipping-rates) - [Return Rates ](/pricing/samos-return-rates) - [Request a Demo ](/request-a-demo) - [Sustainability ](/resources/sustainability) - [Resources ](/resources) - [Contact Us ](/contact-us) ### Terms & Conditions - [Website T&Cs ](/website-terms-and-conditions) - [Privacy & Cookies ](/privacy-and-cookie-policy) - [Shipping T&Cs ](/shipping-terms-and-conditions) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/samos.ecom/)[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/samos-e-commerce/)[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/samosecommerce/?hl=en)[YouTube](https://youtube.com/@samose-commerce4997?si=rqZ4UmQ6V1we6Kuk) © 2026 SAMOS e-commerce LTD