Shipping parcels to the UK

Despite its exit from the European Union, the United Kingdom remains an important e-commerce market for French companies. British consumers are savvy online shoppers, with specific delivery expectations and a strong interest in international brands. This page provides information on UK shopping habits, post-Brexit customs formalities and Colissimo solutions, in particular our DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) service, which simplifies the shopping experience by taking care of import duties and taxes, a major asset in removing disincentives to purchase.

Identity card and essential information about the United Kingdom

- Country code : GB
- Capital : London
- Languages : English
- Population : 67 886 004 residents
- Currency : pound

Public holidays 2025 :
1 January, 29 March, 1 April, 6 May, 27 May, 26 August, 25 December, 26 December

The UK e-commerce market: key figures and trends

Chiffres clés et tendances du e-commerce au UK

Buying behaviour of e-buyers in the UK: the keys to success

Chiffres clés du comportement des e-consommateurs anglais

Principaux critères de déclenchement de l’achat en ligne des anglais

Top 3 des modalités de livraison privilégiées par les e-acheteurs anglais

Send your parcels to the UK with Colissimo

Delivery options available :

Option(s) :

Ad valorem compensation (Colissimo home with signature, point retrait and return)
DDP (Operated by Colissimo with a dedicated last mile partner)

Fiche pays - Picto Partenaire de livraison UK

Delivery partners and integrated services :

Parcel Force :
- Offers : Domicile with signature and Return from the UK (excluding islands) to France
- Tracking : Yes, from deposit to delivery
- Interactive notification service : No
- Instance: Yes
- Delivery time: 15 days
- Time the parcel is held pending payment of customs fees (value > £135): 21 days
- Saturday delivery : No
- Proof of delivery : No

Mode of transport : road
From D+3
Delivery time Commitment to delivery times by Colissimo Domicile
Tariff zone : 2

Maximum weight (machine-operated): 30kg
Maximum length (machine-operated) : 1 m
Max layout L + W + H (non mechanisable) : 1,50 m
Transport regulations : Dangerous goods authorised under the ADR can only be transported with the approval of our safety experts.

Consult your sales contact to find out more

Customes documents :
+ 4 copies of form CN23, + 2 copies of the commercial or pro forma invoice.
Specific restrictions :
Sensitive products or products subject to excise duty must be accompanied by specific documents.
Goods prohibited from import :
wine, animal products, plants, vegetable products.
Tax threshold :
- Local VAT on sales <£135 is payable by
the shipper directly to UK Customs: compulsory registration with HMRC
- VAT and customs duties on sales >£135 are payable on delivery by the buyer.
EXCEPT if DDP option chosen or Colissimo re-invoices these costs to the sender.
-Notification process for sales <£135 & >£135

The above lists are not exhaustive and are subject to change. You are advised to consult the websites of the customs authorities in the destination countries.