Shipping personal belongings across EU borders has never been more accessible, but customs rules can trip up even experienced shippers. Whether you're relocating to another EU country, sending a care package to a student abroad, or shipping items home, understanding the 2025 rules will save you time, money, and frustration.
What Counts as a Personal Shipment?
A personal shipment is one sent between private individuals, or goods that you own and are importing for your own use (not for resale). This is distinct from a commercial shipment, where goods are sold or transferred for business purposes. The distinction matters because personal shipments often benefit from lower duty rates or outright exemptions.
Carriers and customs authorities may ask for evidence that your shipment is personal in nature — such as a covering letter explaining what the items are, that they're used/personal belongings, and that they're not for sale.
De Minimis Thresholds
The EU has a de minimis threshold — a value below which customs duties and VAT are not collected. For goods imported into the EU from outside the EU, this threshold was lowered to €0 in 2021, meaning VAT is now due on all imports regardless of value. However, this applies to commercial imports. For personal gifts and belongings, different rules may apply depending on the destination country.
For shipments moving within the EU (between EU member states), there are no customs formalities — the EU is a single customs territory. The key considerations are instead around prohibited or restricted items, weight and size limits, and carrier regulations.
If you are shipping from outside the EU (e.g., from the UK post-Brexit, or from Vietnam), customs will apply. Consult your carrier's country-specific guidance for the current thresholds and any bilateral agreements in effect.
Prohibited Items
Certain items cannot be shipped internationally regardless of declared value or intent. Common prohibitions for EU personal shipments include:
- Dangerous goods (flammable liquids, explosives, pressurised canisters)
- Perishable food items (in most cases)
- Counterfeit goods or items infringing intellectual property rights
- Illegal substances or narcotics
- Live animals (subject to strict permit requirements)
- Weapons and firearms without proper licensing
- Items subject to CITES (endangered species protection)
Some items are restricted rather than fully prohibited — meaning they can be shipped with the correct permits, documentation, or in limited quantities. Batteries and electronics, for example, may be restricted on certain routes. Always check the restricted items list for your specific origin and destination countries before packing.
Documentation You Need
For personal shipments within the EU, documentation is minimal. Your carrier will handle the transport document (waybill), and you typically only need to provide an accurate contents description and your contact details.
For shipments crossing into or out of the EU, you will generally need:
- Commercial invoice or pro forma invoice — describing the contents, their value, country of origin, and that they are personal/used goods.
- Packing list — itemised list of everything in the shipment.
- Customs declaration form — usually completed by your carrier on your behalf; verify the details are accurate.
Undervaluing goods to avoid duties is illegal and can result in your shipment being seized. Always declare the genuine replacement value of your items.
Tips to Avoid Delays
- Describe contents accurately. Vague descriptions like "personal items" or "household goods" can trigger manual inspections. Be specific: "used clothing, 5 items" or "second-hand books, 10 units."
- Declare realistic values. Customs officers are experienced at spotting undervalued shipments — and the penalty is usually worse than paying the duty.
- Ship early. Customs clearance can add 1–5 business days, especially during peak seasons (November–January, summer holidays).
- Keep copies of all documents. If your shipment is held, you'll need to produce documentation quickly.
- Contact your carrier proactively. If your shipment contains anything unusual, call ahead. A good logistics partner will advise you on the correct way to ship it rather than letting it be rejected at the border.
Navigating EU customs doesn't have to be stressful. With the right preparation and an experienced logistics partner, your personal shipment will clear customs smoothly and arrive on time.