Canada Post has temporarily suspended mail and parcel service to 12 European Union countries as it works to meet new customs requirements for low-value shipments entering the bloc.
The suspension affects items destined for Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal and Spain. Canada Post says service is suspended until further notice.
The disruption follows the EU’s July 1 introduction of a temporary €3 customs duty per item on low-value consignments valued at up to €150 and imported from outside the EU. The new fee, which applies in addition to import VAT, replaces the previous duty exemption for low-value goods.
The change is intended to address the rapid growth of low-value e-commerce shipments entering the EU, including parcels that may be undervalued or falsely declared to avoid customs charges.
For Canadian collectors and dealers, the suspension could create immediate complications. Philatelic material such as auction lots, approvals, covers, collections, supplies and collector correspondence may be delayed or require alternate shipping arrangements if destined for one of the affected countries.
Canada Post says it continues to accept items for other EU destinations while it develops compliant solutions for the suspended markets. The corporation has not indicated when service to the 12 countries will resume.
For Canadian stamp dealers, auction firms and collectors with European customers or trading partners, the latest disruption is another reminder to check destination-specific service alerts before mailing international material.