You may have noticed that shipping to Ireland has got a whole lot more difficult recently, with parcels being returned due to "restricted tariff (or commodity) code" resulting in unhappy customers, headaches and cost. Some e-com businesses have swapped to alternative parcel delivery companies in an attempt to remedy the problem, without much success. Here we explain what the problem really is, why the mainstream mail and parcel delivery companies will continue to struggle with this and how you can ultimately export to Ireland without returns, restrictions and problems.
Read on or if you prefer contact us directly and we'll talk you through it. Email us by clicking here, WhatsApp us by clicking here. or complete the contact form at the bottom of this page and we'll get in touch to go through your options. Click here to view our EU parcel tariff and start shipping with us today,
Anyway, to understand what is going on and why, we’ve broken this down into the most frequently asked questions. Understanding the solution then becomes far clearer.
1. How do my parcels get from the UK to Ireland?
After your parcels have been collected and sorted at your parcel delivery companys' UK hub, they will enter Ireland via vehicle ferry or by air, depending on the service you’re using. The most important aspect to understand is that the parcels are being exported directly from the UK to Ireland, which may seem obvious, but it is also part of the problem.
2. Why are my shipments to Ireland being returned?
Ireland recently implemented changes to restrict certain tariff codes (AKA “HS” or “commodity” codes) that are shipped directly from the UK. This has meant that products with certain tariff codes have been rejected and returned to the sender. Therefore, not only are you paying your parcel delivery company for the outbound service, but you’re also often paying for the return service usually accompanied with all the layers of surcharges. On top of all that you must then refund your customer. As you may have experienced, it all gets very expensive, time consuming and risks poor reviews.
3. So why can’t my mail or parcel delivery company just deliver to Ireland without these problems?
The most cost and time efficient way to carry parcels to any country is send them as directly as possible thereby minimising multiple handling at hubs. The mail and parcel delivery company data and physical infrastructures from the UK to Europe were designed around the efficiencies of borderless trade, which no longer exists. For Ireland this always meant injecting in parcels directly from the UK – and here lies the issue. If you continue to utilise mail and parcel delivery companies that ship directly to Ireland, you’re always going to have the same tariff code restriction issues and therefore returns.
4. How do I prevent my parcels to Ireland from being returned?
The eagle eyed would have noticed that the word “directly” has been highlighted above several times – and here is why. In Ireland the tariff code restrictions are placed on direct UK imports. So, logic suggests that to get your parcels into Ireland without being returned or rejected, it makes sense that your parcels arrive in Ireland via another EU country.
5. So how do I export to Ireland via another EU country?
Ireland will not impose tariff code restrictions on parcels from other EU countries, as they do from the UK, because the UK is not in the EU. Our solution is Samos Connect EU parcel service. We export to all EU countries via one EU country entry point, then ship the parcels across to Ireland once they have cleared EU customs and are in free EU circulation. No more tariff code restrictions, returns, hold-ups, bad reviews, unhappy customers and lost profits. Genius. Click here to find out how our service works.
6. Do any other EU countries impose restrictions on product with certain tariff codes from the UK?
Yes, and it is changes daily. We understand that France has also restricted certain tariff codes if shipped directly from the UK. This creates the same problem for the mail and parcel delivery companies, and therefore for you too.
7. Is the Samos Connect service more expensive?
No. Click here to check out our tariff. Refreshingly, this is the tariff you pay. No surcharges – none.
8. All sounds good. How do try it?
Email us by clicking here, WhatsApp us by clicking here. or complete the contact form at the bottom of this page and we’ll get in touch to show you how you can trial our service.
Since Brexit, Samos has been helping e-commerce businesses across the UK get their EU orders back to pre-Brexit volume levels, with our no-fuss parcel service that simply delivers across the EU. Think alternatively brilliant. Think outside the box. Think SAMOS!
Who are we?
We are a parcel logistics company specialising in creating and engineering customer-focussed e-commerce parcel delivery solutions. We have become particularly well known for our hybrid EU parcel delivery solution. It's growing very fast and enabled so many e-com businesses to get back on track and develop their EU markets without fear of all the export problems experienced with the other mail and parcel delivery companies.
We totally understand the frustrations of using parcel and post delivery services so we have engineered these out of our service. Customers always ask us, "Why didn't we know about you before?" Well, you do now. We can ship all your B2C parcels across the EU whether your have an IOSS number or not. We do not surcharge at all, just one ultra-low cost per parcel. Simple. For more information about us click here.
What Our Customers Say
Peace, Founder and owner at Nubia's Crown - www.nubiascrown.com -
Watch a vlog by Peace at Nubia's Crown, one of our amazing customers, discussing our service here.
Alie Mackintosh, CEO at AYM, www.aym-studio.com -
‘’We are incredibly happy with the service provided by SAMOS and would recommend their EU shipment services to any businesses requiring a solution for EU logistics since Brexit. Deliveries are fast and our customers are happy. SAMOS take all the stress and hassle of the new (and confusing) requirements away and provide a comprehensive and fully rounded service for both us and our customers. It’s win-win solution.
We were apprehensive about the future of shipping B2C into the EU after experiencing delays in transit and confusion around additional charges, until we joined SAMOS. They are incredibly helpful, knowledgeable and reliable, it really is joy to be working with them."
Daphne, Co-founder at TIC CC, tic-cc.com -
"We have been working with SAMOS since November 2021 to fulfil all our EU customer orders. Previously we had been using mail services, which meant a lot of hassle with customs and increased expenditure to the customer and us, and taking several weeks for parcel deliveries. We have trialled other courier companies, who’s services, pricing and customs issues have been appalling.
Since using SAMOS our EU order deliver is running smooth and fast, without any issues. Customers also get delivery notifications, and can easily keep track of their parcels. Their online platform is very easy to use with minimal time spent to create shipping labels and customs paperwork. The prices are extremely competitive, and the customer services is the best we have experienced compared to any other delivery partner and couriers. This has been the best service provider we have worked with. I would highly recommend SAMOS!"