The Czech Republic has a growing ecommerce market with a projected annual growth rate of 6% between 2021-2025. This is at par with the global average.
With the country’s prime location and growing economy, serving customers in major cities like Prague is a great way to generate more sales.
But international selling comes with many challenges.
To help you overcome these challenges, this guides provides information on how to ship from the UK to the Czech Republic with information on carrier choices, shipping costs, customs and duties, and more.
Cost & delivery speeds for shipping to the Czech Republic from the UK
Picking the right shipping carrier partners is crucial when it comes to international shipping.
There are many factors that go into the decision in which carriers to partner with and every business is different. Some business might prefer speed over costs, while another may prefer a cost-effective shipping solution even if it comes with longer delivery times.
Since many considerations go into choosing the right carrier, it is a good practice to inform yourself of the various options across carriers that are made available.
When shipping from the UK to Czech Republic, Royal Mail, FedEx, UPS, Evri (The new Hermes), DPD local, and Parcelforce Worldwide are among the top picks. But understanding their services and the type of product you sell, as well as cost, will help you determine the right fit.
Below is a table with tentative costs and timelines for the services offered by each of these carriers when shipping to the Czech Republic from the UK.
Rates here have been calculated using each carrier’s unique calculator for a uniform sample package of 2 kg in August 2022. The value of the package was declared as 50 GBP wherever sought. Prices may undergo revision.
Note: These are general options for consumers’ shipping orders directly from a carrier’s store. To know what ShipBob offers when shipping to other countries like the Czech Republic, please request a quote here.
ShipBob’s exact rates for customers will vary as we charge an all-in ‘total fulfillment cost’ that includes picking, packing, and shipping, among other factors.
| Service | Price | Delivery Time | |
| Royal Mail | International Standard | £12.20 | 3-5 business days |
| Royal Mail | International Tracked | £13.05 | 3-5 business days |
| Royal Mail | International Economy | £14.25 | 15 business days |
| Royal Mail | International Tracked and Signed | £14.95 | 3-5 business day |
| UPS | Express Plus | £62.37 | 2 business days |
| UPS | Express | £32.37 | 2 business days |
| UPS | Express Saver | £20.83 | 2 business days |
| UPS | Standard | £13.45 | 3-5 business day |
| FedEx | International Economy | £133.50 | 4 business day |
| FedEx | International Priority | £144.51 | 1 business day |
| FedEx | International Priority Express | £151.46 | 1 business day |
| Evri | Evri Courier | £19.51 | 3-7 business days |
| Parcelforce Worldwide | globalpriority | £16.74 | 3+ business days |
| Parcelforce Worldwide | globalexpress | £116.58 | 1+ business days |
| Parcelforce Worldwide | globalvalue | £55.50 | 5+ business days |
| DPD local | Air Express | £71.27 | 1-3 business days |
| DPD local | Air Classic | £45.51 | 5-6 business days |
Prices for Parcelforce Worldwide, Evri and DPD local above only reflect pickup options. Also, the size of the parcel for calculation was entered as 45cm X 35cm X 16cm (L X W X H) for Evri, Parcelforce Worldwide, and DPD local.
How to choose a shipping carrier
Now that you understand the costs, it’s time to choose the right carrier based on the services they offer, as well as advantages and disadvantages.
Here is a brief overview of the top carriers’ pros and cons.
Carriers | Pros | Cons |
| Royal Mail |
|
|
| FedEx |
|
|
| UPS |
|
|
| DPD |
|
|
| Evri |
|
|
| Parcelforce |
|
|
Shipping to the Czech Republic from the UK with Royal Mail
Royal Mail is a household name in the UK. The company has capabilities to get your shipments delivered to 230 countries and territories.
International Tracked and Signed, International Tracked, and International Economy all these options from Royal Mail aim to deliver packages within 3-5 business days when shipping to the Czech Republic from the UK.
The difference lies in the extent of compensation covers available and the level of trackability offered.
When to use Royal Mail to ship from the UK to the Czech Republic
Businesses looking for a convenient drop-off option for their parcels are bound to benefit from the vast 14,000+ drop-off point network including 24/7 parcel post boxes.
Royal Mail would be suitable if you are looking for cheap shipping options that balance the speed of delivery for your lightweight packages of up to 2 kg.
Shipping to the Czech Republic from the UK with UPS
UPS is a leading global logistics company. It has over 48,000 employees working within Europe alone, and a presence of 45+ years in the region.
It has a network to deliver shipments to over 220 countries and territories worldwide.
All the Express options offered on the route aim to deliver packages from the UK to the Czech Republic within 2 business days. The difference in these options primarily lies in the time of delivery.
When to use UPS to ship from the UK to the Czech Republic
UPS offers its customers an array of benefits such as a generous weight limit of 70 kg per parcel, money-back guarantee, time-defined delivery slots, customs support, etc.
It offers options that balance affordability with the speed of delivery.
UPS would suit shippers looking for a reliable name and those who appreciate increased convenience brought in by additional services.
Shipping to the Czech Republic from the UK with FedEx
FedEx is an international leading player in the sphere of transportation. It has capabilities to reach over 220 countries and territories worldwide to deliver shipments.
Within Europe, the company has been present since 1984.
When to use FedEx to ship from the UK to the Czech Republic
Speedy delivery coupled with trackability and reliability are the key reasons to choose FedEx. Be prepared to pay higher for the services though.
Account holders with FedEx may however enjoy up to 40% off.
Ecommerce businesses can enjoy special services that bring greater convenience, better cost efficiencies, etc. using the FedEx International Connect Plus solution.
FedEx offers a large weight limit per package of up to 68 kg. It also offers freight options for shipments exceeding the 68 kg weight limit.
Shipping to the Czech Republic from the UK with DPD UK
DPD is a strong player in the international logistics and transportation solution space. It has access to ship to over 230 countries and territories.
For ecommerce businesses, DPD offers integration with its shipping services into the online shop software.
When to use DPD UK to ship from the UK to the Czech Republic
DPD offers both door-to-door and drop-off options to shippers sending packages from the UK to the Czech Republic.
DPD has a large drop-off network within the UK of 6,000+ shops. It also gives its users an option to purchase additional parcel protection to a high value of up to £5,000.
If you are someone who likes to protect their parcels to a high value and wants the convenience of multi-lingual customer service agents, DPD could be a great fit.
Along with all these perks, because of increasing awareness of environmental concerns, DPD’s sustainability efforts to become the UK’s most sustainable delivery company are likely to also be of value to businesses and individuals alike.
Shipping to the Czech Republic from the UK with Evri (The new Hermes)
Evri is an international logistics company that can date its roots in the UK to over 45+ years ago. It can deliver worldwide to over 190 countries and territories.
Within Europe, it aims to deliver its packages in 3-7 business days.
When to use Evri (The new Hermes) to ship from the UK to the Czech Republic
Evri has a sound drop-off network with over 6,000+ parcelshops and lockers within the UK. It offers economic solutions with a collection option as well.
For someone who likes their packages tracked but is flexible on delivery timelines, Evri could be a good choice.
It also gives shippers options to purchase a high additional parcel protection cover of up to the value of £1,000. Those who prefer to secure their shipments and are sending valuable items are likely to appreciate and benefit from this option.
Shipping to the Czech Republic from the UK with Parcelforce
Parcelforce Worldwide has experience and expertise to reach over 99% of the world’s population.
It prides itself on being an international courier you can trust. It offers its users guidance on restrictions, customs charges, etc. when shipping internationally.
Whether you are looking to send packages to Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, or a remote town, Parcelforce Worldwide can deliver.
When to use Parcelforce to ship from the UK to the Czech Republic
Parcelforce Worldwide has a vast drop-off network of depots and post office branches within the UK.
For shippers who appreciate a variety of delivery solutions to shippers, want options with trackability, and are looking for a reasonable individual package weight limit, Parcelforce Worldwide would work well.
The weight limit is 30 kg per collected package and 20 kg per package for post-office drop-off.
Duties & taxes when shipping to the Czech Republic from the UK
Czech Republic is a part of the European Union (EU) single market but since Brexit, the UK is not. Therefore, goods exported from the UK to the Czech Republic are subject to customs duties and applicable taxes.
Once your shipment enters the EU, the goods are classified as per Combined Nomenclature (CN) which is updated every year.
To identify the rules and duties that apply to specific products being imported into the customs territory of the Czech Republic, the shipper should consult TARIC (The Integrated Tariff of the Community).
In addition to the customs duties, a Value Added Tax (VAT) is charged at 21% on goods imported into the country from the UK. Some supplies attract a lower rate of VAT of 15%.
Online merchants from a third country that sell in the EU are required to inform shoppers of the goods’ total price inclusive of taxes and any additional charges.
Seek assistance from the company’s helpline in the event the online seller is not able to readily share details of additional charges.
Private individuals can send items of up to €45 as gifts from the UK to the Czech Republic without attracting any additional VAT. However, this is contingent on some conditions.
In addition to customs duties, excise taxes are charged on some goods such as alcohol, tobacco and tobacco products, perfumes, etc. These may require special permits for shipping.
Also, be prepared to pay the carrier a fee for facilitating the customs clearance process.
Once the import duties and applicable fees have been paid, the goods are released for free circulation within the country. However, goods may be held if they are found to be non-compliant with the EU customs norms.
The Czech Republic customs information
Companies exporting to the Czech Republic from outside of the European Union (EU) are required to furnish the following documents:
- Commercial invoice
- Bill of lading
- Shipper’s Export Declaration (if required)
- Declaration of conformity (issued by the importer)
Importation of some goods such as oil, natural gas, sporting guns, etc., in the Czech Republic may require special permits or licenses. These are issued by The Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade.
A business trading goods between the UK and the Czech Republic is required to have an Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number. This is used for customs declaration and clearance purposes.
Please visit the official customs website of the Czech Republic to keep yourself informed of the customs regulations.
Prohibited items when shipping to the Czech Republic
When shipping internationally it is the shipper’s responsibility to ensure that the shipment complies with government laws and regulations of both countries.
Goods can be denied transport by the carrier as well if they feature prohibited items or if they do not comply with the laid out norms.
Some items may fall in the restricted category and can be shipped with duly approvals and permits in place.
Packages are subject to inspection and to avoid hold-ups it is best to review these lists before shipping.
You can find below some of the prohibited items when shipping from the UK to the Czech Republic.
Items you can’t ship to Czech Republic from the UK |
| Animal skins (non-domesticated) and furs |
| Pornographic material |
| Money and negotiable items |
| Fireworks |
| Live animals |
| Articles of exceptional value (e.g., works of art, antiques, precious stones, gold, and silver) |
Since these lists are subject to revisions, please visit the official Czech Republic customs website before shipping for the latest updates.
What ecommerce businesses need to know about shipping to the Czech Republic
Did you know that according to the 2019 Global Peace Index, the Czech Republic is ranked among the top 10 safest countries to live in the world?
The country has a well-developed economy with low inflation and relatively low unemployment. This offers the Czech population increased spending power.
Interestingly, the Czech ecommerce market increased by 17% between the year 2020 and the year 2021 contributing to the global growth rate of 15%.
The Czech Republic is located in the Central European region. The country also has steady GDP growth and a promising ecommerce market.
For a British ecommerce business looking to plunge into the Central and Eastern European region, the Czech Republic can make for a good start.
Here are some insights to help you begin understanding the Czech Republic market.
1. Communicate in Czech
To succeed in this market, it is important to have employees and sales staff who speak the local language, Czech.
It may be more suitable to have dual Czech/English product literature and online assets such as websites, etc. especially for reaching the population in Prague. This is as the capital city has a large ex-pat base and is home to many international firms.
Additionally, packaging and labels must be in Czech. Partnering with a local agent or distributor can be useful in this regard.
2. Ready yourself for a cost-conscious market
While there is a growing shift toward prestigious brands over cost-effective options, the market is still dominated by price-sensitive consumers.
Prepare to fight home-field brands that can exercise a pricing advantage. Explore new ways such as low-cost assembly or partnering with an international 3PL expert such as ShipBob for order fulfillment to optimize costs.
3. Local partners are important to win in the market
Entry into the Czech market is relatively low-cost. The market is also small. Therefore, you can avoid spending heavily on marketing campaigns. This may however not be the case if you are promoting a consumer product.
There are several regional trade shows hosted in both Prague and Brno. You can look at getting a small booth that can open you up to meeting prospective customers while being low-cost.
To be able to craft a suitable marketing strategy and to also identify the right trade shows for your brand, it is important to partner with a local agent/distributor. Therefore, having an appropriate agent is among the most important factors to winning in this market.
Grow global with ShipBob
Ready to ship globally without the additional stress and headaches?
ShipBob is a global omnichannel fulfillment partner that makes selling internationally accessible and affordable.
Selling internationally can be challenging, time-consuming, and costly. But with ShipBob, you’re given everything you need to serve customers across the globe while saving time on logistics.
We not only take care of picking, packing, and shipping your orders to the Czech Republic with a fulfillment center in the UK and other locations across the world, we also offer upfront fulfillment costs that include customs, duties, and additional taxes.
By partnering with ShipBob, you eliminate the need to manage retail fulfillment, logistics operations, and hire labor.
“As we grow our business, we know we have the support from ShipBob to grow beyond the UK. Since Brexit, like many small UK businesses, we’ve struggled with the challenges to maintain our international sales. With new time back to focus on growth and ShipBob’s international footprint, we look forward to doubling down our international efforts.”
Sara Moradi & Amir Nizancevic, Co-Founders of iVYVERDURE
Ready to start shipping to the Czech Republic from the UK? Get started with ShipBob.
Request a quote
Enter your details below and we’ll be in touch to learn more about your business.
Request Fulfillment Pricing
A fulfillment expert will get back to you shortly. Privacy Policy
Shipping to the Czech Republic FAQs
You can find below answers to some of the most common questions asked when shipping to the Czech Republic from the UK
What’s the cheapest way to ship to the Czech Republic from the UK?
Royal Mail offers several economic solutions when shipping to the Czech Republic from the UK. Of them, International Standard is the cheapest option on this route. The delivery aim for this service is set between 3-5 business days and the individual package limit is capped at 2 kg maximum.
What’s the cheapest way to ship large packages to the Czech Republic from the UK?
UPS Standard service and Parcelforce Worldwide’s globalpriority are among the cheapest options when shipping large packages to the Czech Republic from the UK.
UPS’s maximum weight limit per individual package is 70 kg while that of the Parcelforce Worldwide option is a maximum of 30 kg per individual parcel collected.
What’s the fastest way to ship a package to the Czech Republic from the UK?
UPS’s Express Plus option aims for delivery by the second business day from shipping with a time-defined slot as early as 9:00 am.
Do I have to pay customs duties and fees when shipping to the Czech Republic from the UK?
Yes, as goods imported into the Czech Republic from a country like the UK which falls outside the European Union (EU) are subject to applicable import duties and taxes.
Custom duties within the EU are calculated as per TARIC (The Integrated Tariff of the Community).
Additionally, a Value Added Tax (VAT) of 21% is levied on all goods imported into the Czech Republic from the UK. Some items may attract a lower rate of VAT at 15%.
Excise taxes are levied on certain categories of goods such as alcohol, tobacco, tobacco products, etc.
Courier companies facilitating customs clearance on your behalf may also charge a fee.
Gifts up to the value of €45 sent by private individuals to friends and family in the Czech Republic may not be charged any VAT. Some rules may apply.
What’s the easiest way to ship something to the Czech Republic from the UK?
Parcelforce Worldwide has a large domestic network of depots and 11,000+ post office branches. It also offers shippers the option to get parcels collected. This can bring increased ease to shippers.
Additionally, it presents shippers with several solutions to choose from starting with more expensive 1+ day delivery solutions, ranging to more affordable solutions with 3+ day and 5+ day delivery timelines.
