Problems getting parcels from U.K

Hi Lger,   Yes all sorts of nonsense going on. I have been buying pure Magnesium from usa, for about 7-8 years for my health. One day I received a phone call from customs in Barcelona, airport to say I could not bring that into Spain. I told her I had been getting it for that time, and she said it was forbidden . It always came in through Madrid, but because of the brexit  and the early days of the pandemic causing flight disruption, the parcel must have been sent from Canada, instead of it's usual USA one.. So the customs are not even in Synch. Teh  EU countries seem to be doing what they can just to prove the UK was wrong to make their desicion to leave..I have also had trouble with customs getting my parcels through and lost. Also I have not been to the Post office for some time bscause of the pain in my knees I do not want to queue for a while outside,, but I had a letter from my work pension to inquire if I am still alive. It was just one thin peice of paper in an envelope. The woman who served me said to send it express it would cost 20 Euros to send, then said it would cost 30 Euros within 30 seconds. Send ing it by contract would be cheaper. This meant she had to type the address of the receiver and my self and it cost 5.80 Euros. I am glad I did not send any Xmas cards as IT WOULD HAVE COST A FORTUNE. i THINK THAT MUST HAVE BEEN 100% RISE IN COST.

Regards Maureen 73.

Hi LGer 

Consider using a low cost courier service such as "sendmybag" for parcels to and from non-EU countries. (www.sendmybag.ie for euro price and www.sendmybag.co.uk for prices in sterling  - there are contact phone numbers on their website).

The cost is roughly the same as ordinary post, but your item is picked up at your place, and delivered to the address. You can track your items en route. Typical times are about 10 business days EU to non-EU addresses and 5 days EU to EU. Price includes insurance of about €150.

I've never experienced any delays with EU to EU deliveries, but you should allow extra time for customs clearance (and possibly a charge of import duty and customs clearance) for non-EU items.

I should indicate I have no connection with sendmybag other than as a customer. 

Hi Maureen 73.

I imagine you can get your magnesium from an EU source, for example Ebay or Amazon Deutschland or one of the pharmaceutical websites in Spain or other EU countries.  Just make sure to check the item's description that it is sourced in the EU. 

This would eliminate the terrible bothers you describe in your message. You would avoid nasty surcharges and calls from customs clearance looking for money before they release your urgently needed medications.

Thank  you Derrymore for the info.

regards Maureen73

Thank you all for you messages and help

It is so frustrating

Regards

Lger

I well understand the frustration; I run a small business that has an online component - finding couriers that will transport small packages is a nightmare; it took me 4 months to get a response from MRW and even then they charge a 5,50€ surcharge for any parcel sent to UK as the paperwork required by HM Customs to import EU goods into the UK has become convoluted, complex and nightmarish. Plus HM Customs have said that if I wish to sell into the UK, I have to register with HMRC to pay UK VAT which will be collected at source, i.e. the seller - me.  This would mean I would have to make two sets of tax declarations - one for Spain and one for UK, and my Asesora would have to stay up-to-date on UK Tax law.  Net result? I don’t sell into the UK.

Try simplysupplements.es for your supplements.  They are a little more expensive than the UK site but arrived quickly.  Regards Karen 

We get ALL our supplements from Naturitas.es - Spain based (obviously), brilliant service and great prices. Complete range of all minerals, supplements - whatever you need

Thanks Karen, I will have a look.

Maureen73