Brexit / Post Office outlines changes if ‘no deal’ goes ahead
WITH a no-deal Brexit on October 31 a possibility unless unanimous agreement is given by the EU for an extension, the Post Office is reminding customers what likely changes could take place in that eventuality.
External relations manager Mark Gibson outlined a number of “significant changes” that the public should be aware of during a visit to Shetland last week
Gibson said that parcels and packages going to Europe will most likely need a customs certificate, as is already the case for parcels going to non-EU countries.
He said: “We are at the minute working on the assumption that if you have to post something outside Europe you currently have to attach a customs label to it; if we leave with no deal we assume that would apply to all European Union countries.”
There will also be tariffs on certain goods coming from the EU, but that would be dealt with by the purchaser rather than the mail and it is not yet clear how these would be exactly applied.
Passport requirements are also in flux: depending on the EU country to be visited, the passport must be valid for some six to 15 months before expiration. The Post Office also provides a passport check and send service for those unsure about filling in their application.
“If it runs out in four months, you may be in trouble, so may want to look for a new passport in that situation,” said Gibson.
British motorists travelling abroad will also have to pick up an international driving permit, which will be available at 2,000 UK post offices. In addition to the present requirements for EU travel, will be a car insurance green card that can be supplied by the insurer.
Cars will also need to display a ‘GB’ sticker.
The European Health Card may or may not still apply, depending on which countries are to be visited. “People should make sure their travel insurance is adequate for the needs of their travel. Again they can get that through their Post Office,” said Gibson.
“The majority of these, if not all of them, will only apply in a no-deal situation.”
More information can be found at: https://www.postoffice.co.uk/brexit
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