Sending parcels safe and sound
We send quite a few Christmas gifts to friends, family and business acquaintances in other countries. With today’s reliable parcel distribution system, there is little risk that parcels will disappear en route. However, another problem could arise - your shipment may contain something that can’t be imported into another country, or the recipient might have to pay high customs duties for the gift. For example, if you send lottery tickets to Finland or schnapps to Norway, the risk is great that your parcel will be stopped at the border.

At Christmas time many people want to send gifts to friends or business acquaintances in other countries. But when sending gifts abroad, make sure that the contents are allowed to enter the country of destination. For example, try sending clementines to Australia, or perhaps a Christmas ham to Iceland, and the risk is great that the package will be stopped at the border.

"Each country has its own rules and the biggest problems with forbidden goods are mainly with non-EU countries. We rarely think of the fact that Norway isn’t in the EU. But if you send schnapps as a present to Norway, the odds are the package will be stopped at customs, since they don't allow alcohol to be shipped into the country," says Therese Kaiser from Pan Nordic Logistics (PNL).

Alcohol and lottery tickets are examples of goods that are forbidden in several countries. If you aren’t sure whether your parcel will be permitted to enter the receiving country, contact the Swedish Trade Council or Swedish Customs. They can provide you with information about import restrictions for countries both within and outside the EU. Don't let trade restrictions stop you from spreading a little Christmas cheer, be certain you are sending goods that are sure to arrive.

More information
Therese Kaiser, Manager Marketing Communications PNL, phone: +46 70 36 56 003

About PNL
Pan Nordic Logistics (PNL), established in 1997, has the most comprehensive distribution network in the Nordic region, which can reach every business and consumer in the region. Today, we can assist anyone in the Nordic countries to send and receive parcels and pallets within the region and to the rest of the world.

PNL is owned by the Danish and Norwegian postal companies, and works closely with the postal companies in Estonia, Finland, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland and Sweden. Our Head Office is in Sweden. We have a total of 150 employees in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Our annual turnover is approximately SEK 1 billion.