Defence Equipment Support
Follow our short guide to find out how to send mail with the British Forces Post Office (BFPO).
Announcements
Update for sending BFPO mail
In January 2023, BFPO informed customers of important changes when sending mail and parcels via the BFPO system to EU member states. In this message we highlighted the importance that all BFPO mail should always be properly and clearly addressed, using a printed label or written in block capitals showing both sender name and address as well as recipient name and address. We also highlighted that all BFPO mail must always have a fully completed custom declaration attached to your small packet or parcel.
Additionally, we introduced the requirement to include Harmonised System codes (HS codes) as part of the customs declaration process. Commercial suppliers should already be including HS codes as part of their customs declarations. It is not clear yet whether HS codes will be mandatory for private items posted over a Post Office counter, and BFPO will update private customers once this position becomes clear. In the meantime, customers can access guidance on sending mail overseas, how to complete customs declarations, making best use of gift allowance and how to access HS codes by clicking the link below:
https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/106
Its important to consider that these changes will apply to all UK business or private customers who send mail to EU destinations.BFPO also anticipate that these changes will be introduced more generally in other global regions in the future, as mail distribution becomes more automated and internationally aligned.
To assist BFPO customers through this transitional period, we are not making any changes to our mail acceptance process at this time, and we will continue to guide customers through this process and take a phased approach, should any change become necessary.
Important changes for sending BFPO mail and parcels from 1 March 2023
The European Union (EU) is strengthening safety and security at customs through a large-scale information system called Import Control System 2 (ICS2) on 1 March 2023.
All goods being shipped into or transiting through EU countries or Northern Ireland, Norway and Switzerland by air must include a minimum six-digit Harmonised System (HS) code and an accurate description for each item in the shipment. These rules will apply to all goods except documents regardless of value.
Staff at BFPO Northolt will be required to capture all data and provide precise consignment contents data to our mail conveyance partners to facilitate onward movement.Declarations made in full. Please note that all BFPO mail requires a customs declaration, and no destinations are exempt.
What does the sender need to provide?
The following information must be clearly stated on all small packet/parcel mail:
- Sender/Return Address in full full name must be used and not for example from Gran or the Smiths.
- Recipient name and address in full, destination in full do not use any country locations as these can result in items being processed wrongly within the UK mail system.
- Address label printed or BLOCK capitals only this will help to avoid delays.
- Customs declarations customers must clearly declare all contents list each item with the number of pieces and values then sign the declaration.
- Harmonised System (HS) Commodity Codes BFPO is seeking further clarity on the requirement to provide this detail for packages and mail posted over a UK Post Office counter and will provide further updates.
BFPO customers are responsible for ensuring the new regulations are followed, and failure to comply could result in items being seized and subjected to additional VAT/clearance charges prior to release by local customs authorities.? In extreme cases, it could also lead to your parcels being returned or destroyed.
Badly addressed items could also be subject to delay at BFPO, if items cannot be processed via our automated systems and require manual data input.
2022 Third-party industrial action
BFPO Customers should consider that there are a number of potential industrial action strikes days announced by unions/staff working in parts of the UK Mail Sector. If strike action does take place, subsequently the services provided to BFPO customers will be disrupted and will result in delays to mail transit and may impact the overall delivery timeframes.
BFPO customers are advised to plan ahead, especially for Christmas/birthday items and allow additional mail transit time for time sensitive items. BFPO will continue to notify and advise customers of any future industrial action and its impact and customers.Further announcements and updates will be posted on BFPO GOV.UK webpages and social media channels.
2022 Price changes
From the 4 April, BFPO stamp prices, weight and size limits will change.The poster below provides the new prices coming into effect from April and the new size restrictions for mail items posted via a Post Office Counter.
2021 Importing and Exporting Regulations
BFPO Customers are reminded that from 4 May 2021, BFPO will no longer be accepting mail items intended for export to overseas BFPO locations, which do not comply with current International Mail Import/Export Regulations. These mail items will either be refused at point of direct delivery at BFPO Northolt site or returned at the first opportunity back into the Royal Mail system. Please note, BFPO do not offer a guaranteed timed service and hold no liability for items which are perishable, out of date or unusable at the point of receipt.
Family and friends of UK defence personnel and their dependants serving overseas, who post private mail items via UK Post Office Counters should note, that you should always be required to complete a customs declaration for private parcels destined for BFPO addresses overseas. Completion of customs declaration forms should be as accurate as possible and must include as a bare minimum, all contents, value and a valid signature. These details are important to ensure local customs authorities in the country of destination can assess your parcel contents and clear items for delivery as efficiently as possible.
BFPO continue to thank all customers for their patience, support and understanding and rest assured BFPO are working tirelessly to get back to business as usual, as quickly as possible.
Changes to UK and international law will affect how mail and parcels will be cleared in the future and these new laws, which are driven by aviation security and fiscal requirements, will be getting much stricter throughout 2021. These changes start to be introduced as the UK/EU transition period ends and from 1 January 2021, parcels posted to/from BFPO customers located in EU/UK will require either a Royal Mail Customs Notification 22 (CN22), Customs Notification 23 (CN23) or Parcelforce Customs Pack (CP72) and Electronic Customs Data (ECD). Please note, that it is the senders responsibility to ensure that the new regulations are followed and failure to comply could result in items being seized and subjected to additional VAT/clearance charges prior to release by local customs authorities. In extreme cases, it could also lead to your parcels being returned or destroyed.
Ordering Online Goods for BFPO Overseas Addresses (including the EU)
New customs declaration procedures (CN22/CN23/CP72/ECD) will need to be completed by the seller/sender for products destined for overseas BFPO locations. Ordering/sending customers should have the opportunity to either pay VAT/clearance charges (if applicable) up front or opt for these charges to be paid by the recipient under local country arrangements. Additionally, from March 2021, there will be a requirement to supply ICS2