Czech Post unable to deliver thousands of packages

The warehouses of Czech Post are getting flooded by thousands of packages sent from non-EU states due to recipients not filling out the forms sent to them by the postal service, the Czech News Agency reports.

From October, small packages sent from non-EU states have to pass through customs clearance and are subject to VAT. This includes not just the many packages coming in through China, but also those from the United Kingdom. Each package is subject to an electronic customs declaration form, however these are often not filled out, says Czech Post spokesman Matyáš Vitík. The postal service warns that it is not able to process the deliveries without cooperation from package recipients

From October 1, VAT is newly assessed even for small packages from 0.1 to 150 euros. A limit of 45 euros for the exemption of gift items from VAT remains. However, these must also be cleared.