July 9, 10 a.m.: Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect new information provided by Canada Post. The update clarifies that the service interruption applies only to parcels and packets, not letter mail, and notes that parcel and packet service has since resumed to Ireland, Italy and Spain.
Canada Post has resumed parcel and packet service to Ireland, Italy and Spain after temporarily suspending shipments to several European Union countries because of new customs requirements for low-value imports.
The postal operator also clarified that the service interruption affects parcels and packets only, not letter mail.
Canada Post spokesperson Phil Legault said the original service alert contained an error in its headline. While the headline incorrectly suggested all mail service was affected, the body of the advisory referred only to parcels and packets.
Canada Post initially suspended parcel and packet service to 12 European Union countries as it worked to comply with new customs requirements introduced by the EU. Following the latest update, the suspension now remains in effect for Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg and Portugal.
The disruption followed the European Union’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 bloc. The new fee, which applies in addition to import VAT, replaces the previous duty exemption for low-value goods.
The measure 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 interruption affects parcel and packet shipments such as auction lots, collections, albums, supplies and other philatelic material destined for the affected countries. Letter mail, including most collector correspondence, continues to be accepted.
Canada Post continues to accept mail and shipments for other European Union destinations while it works to develop compliant solutions for the remaining affected countries.
Canadian stamp dealers, auction firms and collectors shipping internationally are encouraged to check Canada Post’s latest service alerts page before mailing material overseas.