BFPO Services Update
Since the introduction of the new International Mail Regulations on 1 January 2021, BFPO have been advising customers that all BFPO mail must have a valid customs declaration (CN22/23/commercial invoice) attached to the item. This is a mandated mail industry standard which is applied to all international mail exiting the UK.
BFPO has also been advising customers that as the global mail network becomes more automated and aligned, this requirement is now being enforced with more frequency in some countries where BFPO provide mail services. BFPO have no influence in local Customs import/export regulations, and we follow local country guidance of what mail items we are permitted to send forward.
BFPO trends analysis is identifying that the most common reasons for item return are no CN22/23/commercial invoice being visible on items or they contain dangerous air cargo, and mostly perfume/aftershave or aerosols. How to access BFPO services and a list of our prohibited items is shown within our .Gov guidance (link below):
BFPO guidance to all customers remains that all BFPO items require a valid customs declaration (CN22/23/commercial invoice) and a full return address. BFPO customers should also insist that customs declarations are facilitated at their local Post Office and they must avoid placing any prohibited items within their parcel, as prohibited items will get picked up by BFPO staff at our Northolt Depot and returned as non-compliant international mail. BFPO customers should also avoid using BF1 postcodes as the primary delivery address when ordering on-line, as this could lead to your item being processed for domestic UK delivery (no requirement for CN22/23/commercial invoice) and not as international mail.
