Service Updates

Last updated: 15th of January 2025

Important Update Below
 

Welcome to our live service update page for Europe. Below is a round-up of any issues that may be impacting our services to and from destinations in Europe. We keep this page as up-to-date as possible, with information supplied to Parcelforce from our partners. 

Service update: 15th January 2025

Important Notices:

Import Control System 2 (ICS2) 
ICS2 is a regulatory change required by the EU, focused on continuing to improve the security of parcels shipped internationally. It allows customs authorities to identify items which may require control earlier in the supply chain and take the appropriate action. Sending countries must provide the required parcel/customs information. This means that any item that requires a customs declaration (including gifts, samples, goods and other categories) must have the relevant customs documentation attached and associated Electronic Data must also be supplied. You can use an approved Parcelforce or Third-Party Shipping Solution where this is captured so you can continue exporting with the required compliant electronic data. From the 1st July 2023 any items containing goods that do not have mandatory data fields completed will be at risk of being delayed, returned, or even destroyed. Please see here and here for more information.

We are still despatching items to Belarus however dispatch is once a week via a transit destination therefore longer transit times should be expected. We are continually monitoring the situation and will provide an update if there are any changes to our service moving forward.

Globalexpress suspension
Service is currently suspended until further notice. Any shipments already in transit are likely to be returned.

Belgian Post have informed us that major Belgian unions have called a 24-hour strike on 13 January 2025 which is also likely to involve airport personnel.

As a result, delays are expected for all mail types on and immediately after the strike day in case of any backlog.

La Poste of France have informed us that the infrastructure in Mayotte (postcode 976xx) has been severely impacted by the passage of Cyclone Chido.

As the airport is not currently operational, the shipment and delivery of all mail items are suspended until repairs can be undertaken.

The shipment of letter and parcel post to the Comoros via Mayotte is also suspended.

Earthquake and Volcanic Activity
Icelandic Post have advised that a new volcanic eruption started just north of Grindavik in the Reykjanes peninsula on Sunday 14th January 2024.

It is deemed likely that more eruptions will occur around the town in the coming weeks, hence It is unlikely that habitants will be allowed to return to live in Grindavik in the coming weeks or months.

Iceland Post has not delivered mail in the Grindavik area since the original evacuation 13th of November 2023 and due to the area being uninhabitable it seems unlikely it will be possible to deliver mail in Grindavik in the near future. We will provide any further updates on this as they become available.

Storm
Icelandic Post have informed us that an unseasonal storm has hit resulting in road closures in the northern and south-eastern part of the country.

Heavy snow and winds have closed roads in these parts of the country since the evening of Monday 3rd June, making it impossible to transport mail in those parts of the country.

The storm is expected to last into the week and as result delays can be expected until condition improves.

Our service to Ireland is operating as normal. Items that require the payment of import taxes may take longer to be delivered as this is required before items are released from Irish customs.

Please note: Delivered Duties Unpaid items sent to Ireland are handled as follows:

•Where a mobile number and /or email is provided, the recipient will receive a text and / or email and a letter with the amount of tax to pay plus An Post’s processing fee.
•Where just the address has been provided, the recipient will receive a letter.

In both situations the recipient will receive instructions on how to pay and will have 16 working days to make the payment before the item is returned. The pay by date is included in the customer notification. All items are held in the Dublin Mail Centre Campus before being released, once payment is received. If payment is not received by the payment due date or the customer rejects the item then it is returned to sender.

Storm Darragh

An Post have informed us that Storm Darragh impacted airline and ferry services on both inbound and outbound traffic since the 6th December also causing damage at Holyhead Port. 

As a result delays are expected to continue until after Christmas.

As a result of the current situation in Israel we are experiencing delays with many flight cancellations. This is a fluid situation and may change at short notice. Throughout the country, the retention period for unclaimed items has been extended to 30 days. All items are subject to delay and we will continue to provide updates as we receive them. 

Please note at this time, we are unable to accept items addressed to Gaza or Khan Yunis and The West Bank.

Poste Italiane have informed us that they are making good progress with their recovery efforts and backlog as result of the Cyber incident at their Malpensa AMU. However, there is still some backlogged mail to be processed where delays may still be observed until the situation is stabilized.

We are in regular contact with Italy and will provide further updates as they become available. 

We are still despatching postal items to Russia (except via our Global Express service). We are continually monitoring the situation and will provide an update if there are any changes to our service moving forward.

We continue to make regular mail despatch to Ukraine via our Postal Partners. In the absence of air transport, they have rebuilt their international logistics network using road line haul and trains to convey postal items to, and from airports outside of Ukraine. In areas without active hostilities, all Ukrposhta post offices will remain open. Sorting facilities are equipped with electricity generators to ensure uninterrupted work and maintain normal customs and sorting procedures. However, operationally delays are still likely to be experienced until further notice.

Globalexpress 
This service is currently suspended until further notice. Any  shipments already in transit may be returned.

There are 24 delivery regions in Ukraine (Oblasts) and we are currently unable to deliver to 3 of these;

Donetsk Oblast - postcodes starting 83xxx to 87xxx - including cities of Donetsk and Mariupol

Luhansk Oblast - postcodes starting 91xxx to 94xxx - including cities of Luhansk and Krasnyi Luch

Crimea (annexed by Russia in 2014) - postcodes starting 95xxx to 99xxx - including Simferopol and Sevastopol