New UK Direct service from An Post offers customs 'pre-cleared' parcel delivery to UK

Claire Percy, Head of External Affairs, Dublin Port; David McRedmond, CEO at An Post; and Paul Lynam, Director General, British Irish Chamber of Commerce, at the launch of the new UK Direct parcel service. Picture: Maxwells

An Post has launched a new parcel service for SMEs which will offer pre-cleared customers delivery and returns to customers in Britain.

The new UK Direct service offers end-to-end parcel delivery and returns to the 69m-strong UK consumer market for Irish SMEs. Firms register to integrate with the new UK Direct service, and are able to include advance customs payments, three-day delivery, and end-to-end tracking. 

An Post has partnered with Royal Mail in creating the new service. “UK-Irish trade is central to Ireland’s economy. This new UK Direct solution reopens that market for businesses facing the challenges posed by Brexit," said An Post chief executive David McRedmond.

"UK Direct removes barriers to trade, providing Irish SMEs with access to over 69 million new customers. Instead of being tied up in the complexities of customs fees or other red tape, they can focus on huge growth opportunities and ensuring a top-quality retail experience for their new UK customers."

Some 97% of Irish companies were interested in expanding into new markets over the next 12 months, according to Enterprise Ireland, with most potential new exporters prioritising the UK as their target market. 

The Irish Exporters Association said the UK Direct service marks a positive shift in "how Ireland can do business with our nearest neighbour. There’s a massive market ready and waiting for quality Irish products, and it’s now within the grasp of Irish SMEs," said Irish Exporters Association CEO Simon McKeever. 

British Ambassador to Ireland Kara Owen said the UK Direct service can strenghten the €2bn week British-Irish trading relationship.