Trouble Receiving UK Bank Cards in the EU Post-Brexit — Anyone Else?

ANP008

Hi all, has anyone else in the EU had issues receiving bank cards from UK banks since Brexit? I’ve been having a frustrating time with this — my bank claims they’ve sent multiple cards, but nothing arrives.

From what I gather, the problem might be due to post-Brexit rules classifying bank cards as “goods,” meaning they require a customs declaration. If that’s not done properly, the cards either get destroyed or returned. My bank (First Direct/HSBC) keeps insisting they’ve sent them, and they blame French postal system — but I’m not convinced.

I’ve heard from friends that the only reliable workaround is to have the cards sent to a UK address and then forwarded privately. That can’t be the only solution, can it?

Surely I’m not the only one facing this — the bank says I am, but I find that hard to believe. Anyone else dealing with this nonsense?

Grumpy_chap

ANP008 said:

Hi all, has anyone else in the EU had issues receiving bank cards from UK banks since Brexit? I’ve been having a frustrating time with this — my bank claims they’ve sent multiple cards, but nothing arrives.

From what I gather, the problem might be due to post-Brexit rules classifying bank cards as “goods,” meaning they require a customs declaration. If that’s not done properly, the cards either get destroyed or returned. My bank (First Direct/HSBC) keeps insisting they’ve sent them, and they blame French postal system — but I’m not convinced.

I’ve heard from friends that the only reliable workaround is to have the cards sent to a UK address and then forwarded privately. That can’t be the only solution, can it?

Surely I’m not the only one facing this — the bank says I am, but I find that hard to believe. Anyone else dealing with this nonsense?

Does your bank account allow you to hold an account as an overseas resident?

DullGreyGuy

ANP008 said:
Surely I’m not the only one facing this — the bank says I am, but I find that hard to believe. Anyone else dealing with this nonsense?

Many have had their accounts closed instead because the UK entity doesnt have a licence to operate in France etc. HSBC/FD just closed up shop for new account openings but to date have allowed existing accounts to be run from overseas. 

NoodleDoodleMan

Have you enquired of the French Post Office, La Poste, about non delivery ?

Maybe a customs declaration is required for any envelope or packet etc. that includes an enclosed item ?

ANP008

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Have you enquired of the French Post Office, La Poste, about non delivery ?

Maybe a customs declaration is required for any envelope or packet etc. that includes an enclosed item ?

My understanding is that La Poste remove items from the mail stream if they do not have customs clearance. They are then destroyed. If Royal Mail find them, they are returned to sender but no new cards are issues because there is no system in place.

born_again

If a card is returned to sender. Then customer is marked as a gone away. Which means until they update their address no cards are sent out.

Nasqueron

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Have you enquired of the French Post Office, La Poste, about non delivery ?

Maybe a customs declaration is required for any envelope or packet etc. that includes an enclosed item ?

If you ship documents into/from the EU and it is properly declared as such, they do not need commercial invoices - we have received and sent paperwork fine to our Irish and Spanish offices without any. The issue is probably the card or how they are declaring it (if at all!)

If sent locally to the UK it would face the same issue but may be less hassle to get through