Seller Academy weekly update: 27 October 2026

This week’s changes to packing, posting and customs that matter to sellers on The Kosher Shop. Check each item against the way you ship before your next parcel goes out, and remember the packing photo before every shipment.

EU: new €2 handling fee on every item sent from outside the EU

• What changed: The EU now charges a Union handling fee of €2 per item on goods sold at a distance to customers in the EU from outside the EU. It comes on top of the €3 customs duty per item that has applied to consignments worth up to €150 since 1 July 2026.
• Who it affects: UK sellers who send orders to customers in the EU.
• What you must do: Build the fee into your EU shipping price so the customer pays nothing at the door (our rule is delivered duty paid). Ask your courier how it will charge the fee; Royal Mail says VAT generally applies to it.
• Effective date: 1 November 2026
• Source: European Commission: EU Customs Reform; Royal Mail: European Trade Insights

Royal Mail: a product identifier for every item sent to the EU

• What changed: Royal Mail is making product identifier data mandatory for items posted to the EU. Each item on the customs declaration must carry a product reference, such as your SKU, listing ID, catalogue number or the manufacturer code.
• Who it affects: UK sellers who post to the EU with Royal Mail.
• What you must do: Give every product in your shop an SKU and enter it for each line of the customs declaration. Parcels without it risk delay or return.
• Effective date: mandate began 26 October 2026; required for every item from 1 November 2026
• Source: Royal Mail: European Trade Insights

Christmas and Chanukah: last recommended posting dates in the UK

• What changed: Royal Mail and Parcelforce have published their Christmas 2026 dates. Royal Mail: 2nd Class, Friday 18 December; Tracked 48, Saturday 19 December; 1st Class and Tracked 24, Monday 21 December; Special Delivery Guaranteed, Wednesday 23 December. Parcelforce: express48, Monday 21 December; express24, express10 and expressAM, Tuesday 22 December. Chanukah begins on the evening of Friday 4 December 2026, so Chanukah gifts must arrive well before Christmas dates.
• Who it affects: All UK sellers shipping within the UK.
• What you must do: Put an order cut-off in your shop announcement one or two days before the date of the service you use, and leave time to pack and take the packing photo. For parcels abroad, post as early as possible: Royal Mail gives international delivery times in its country guides.
• Effective date: 4 December 2026 (Chanukah) and 18 to 23 December 2026 (Christmas)
• Source: Royal Mail: Christmas last posting dates

USA: new entry rules for postal parcels moved to 20 January 2027

• What changed: US Customs and Border Protection has moved the compliance date for its new entry rules for international mail from 22 October 2026 to 20 January 2027. From then, postal items that come under another US agency (for example the FDA for food) or are subject to certain additional duties need formal entry, or the new electronic Entry Type 13 process. Duty free (de minimis) treatment for mail stays suspended in the meantime.
• Who it affects: UK sellers who post orders to customers in the United States.
• What you must do: Keep sending full and accurate electronic customs data with every parcel, file FDA prior notice for food, and ask your carrier now how it will handle entry from 20 January 2027 and whether it can collect duties in advance.
• Effective date: 20 January 2027
• Source: Federal Register, 22 October 2026

Italy: deliveries suspended in parts of the south

• What changed: Royal Mail reports road blocks and suspended parcel collection and delivery in Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Puglia and Sicily, and industrial action from 15 October 2026 that may continue for weeks.
• Who it affects: Sellers sending parcels to Italy.
• What you must do: Tell customers in these regions about delays before they order, use a tracked service and do not promise delivery dates.
• Effective date: from 15 October 2026, ongoing
• Source: Royal Mail: International Incident Bulletin

Israel: expect delays

• What changed: Royal Mail reports that Israel Post has extended its state of emergency until at least 3 November 2026. Services are running, but delays are expected.
• Who it affects: Sellers sending parcels to Israel.
• What you must do: Use a tracked service and tell customers that delivery may take longer than usual.
• Effective date: until at least 3 November 2026
• Source: Royal Mail: International Incident Bulletin

Guides changed this week

None. Our Seller Academy guides are still correct; the items above add detail to Shipping abroad: customs, duties and documents and Choosing a courier.

These guides are practical help, not legal advice.