Online deliveries to the UK from Europe have plummeted by more than half (55%) in the first quarter since the new year and dawn of Brexit, according to new figures from shipping platform Sendcloud.
It shows that January 2021 levels were at just 60% from what they should be, compared to over 150% in November and December 2020.
Sendcloud says that new shipping requirements and additional VAT charges have had a dramatic impact on the number of parcels being shipped to the UK.
The figures are supported by recent research from ONS which showed that the value of imports from the EU dropped by £6.6bn in January 2021 – the biggest drop since records began.
Research has shown that high delivery costs (51%), potential customs charges (38%) and lengthy delivery times (32%) are putting UK consumers off from international purchases. VAT charges and delays at border control are also meaning some customers are choosing to shop more locally instead.
Rob van den Heuvel, CEO and co-founder at Sendcloud, said: “Brexit shouldn’t stop retailers from buying and shipping abroad, yet it’s clear from these results that many retailers are struggling to overcome post-Brexit delivery issues. As a result, consumers are much less likely to buy internationally.”
He said retailers needed to concentrate on sorting out any issues to regain consumer confidence.
