Changes to UK and international law will affect how mail and parcels will be cleared in the future and these new laws, which are driven by aviation security and fiscal requirements, will be getting much stricter throughout 2021. These changes start to be introduced as the UK/EU transition period ends and from 1 Jan 21, parcels posted to/from BFPO customers located in EU/UK will require either a Royal Mail Customs Notification 22 (CN22), Customs Notification 23 (CN23) or Parcelforce Customs Pack (CP72) and Electronic Customs Data (ECD).  

Please note, that it is the senders responsibility to ensure that the new regulations are followed and failure to comply could result in items being seized and subjected to additional VAT/clearance charges prior to release by local customs authorities.  In extreme cases, it could also lead to your parcels being returned or destroyed. 
  
Ordering Online Goods for BFPO Overseas Addresses (including the EU) 
  
What’s changing.  New customs declaration procedures (CN22/CN23/CP72/ECD) will need to be completed by the seller/sender for products destined for overseas BFPO locations. Ordering/sending customers should have the opportunity to either pay VAT/clearance charges (if applicable) up front or opt for these charges to be paid by the recipient under local country arrangements. Additionally, from March 2021, there will be a requirement to supply ICS2 EU customs pre-arrival data which will be linked to your parcel and new mail VAT processes are scheduled for introduction in July.  Further BFPO announcements will follow. 
  
Posting Items at a Post Office Counter 
  
What’s changing.  When sending items to overseas BFPO addresses, you will be required to complete customs declarations forms in more detail than before, and in particular ensuring that exact contents and value are shown.  Your local Post Office Counter staff will be able to take you through this process. 
  
Customer Responsibility 
  
Please note, that BFPO, who act solely as the shipping agent, have no responsibility or influence in customs matters and this responsibility rests with the sender or the selling/sending company.   
  
Official Guidance on Mail Import/Export can be Found at: 
  
UK Government Site 
https://www.gov.uk/prepare-to-export-from-great-britain-from-january-2021 
Royal Mail Group 
https://www.royalmail.com/brexit 
Parcelforce group 
https://www.parcelforce.com/brexit 
  
BFPO announcements are published within the BFPO section of the GOV.UK website