Gifts direct to Europe?

[MoreThanRubies]

Are there any companies you use to send gifts to Europe? I usually post a small something to a friend in Germany but it’s become more complex and expensive since Brexit.

Are there shops that can dispatch from Europe? I’m thinking low cost things like chocolate or a book (under £20 inc. delivery). It’s just a token gift but nice to do.

I know lots of people avoid Amazon but I had a good experience sending my niece in Spain a gift. Pretty sure I just used Amazon.co.uk and selected a Spanish delivery address - but I can check if that would help.

Just use Amazon or local sites. I’m in the EU but if I need to send something to someone in the UK I use Amazon.co.uK. I wouldn’t advise using them for EU unless Ireland as they
charge extra to export (there is often a warning re this). Use Amazon.de for Germany, alternatively local businesses online. Usually you can select English if you don’t speak German, most do have an English version.

You can use Amazon.de in English. I am in Belgium and this is my go to. A friend sent me an Etsy gift from UK and I had to pay more in customs duty than the cost of the gift.

For chocolates try Läderach which is Swiss company and has local versions of the online store.

Other shops also do this kind of thing Zalando for clothes and accessories. Or Nordic Nest for nice Scandinavian things

or next.de

There Is probably a marks and Spencer Germany site too (there is a Swiss one, can’t get all the products but still useful)

Thanks all! Some great suggestions here that will hopefully mean I can send my friend a little something without either of us getting stung too badly for fees.

I have found its best to buy something in person and send through Royal Mail. Or finding something on Etsy from that specific region.

I’m also interested in this as usually send something smallish to friends in France but post brexit the postage is more expensive than the gift via Royal Mail. Hadn’t realised Etsy also covered Europe, so will look into that

I have family in Europe and in the end we've given up and just send money. Amazon Germany or Italy have both worked (and would work well if you're sending to Germany or Italy!) but for us (obscure small eu country) shipping was extortionate, especially when sending toys or anything big. Packaging things up here and sending in the post has been a disaster with recipients being charged more than the item was worth in customs charges. Etsy has sometimes worked but things have turned up weeks late and again postage has cost more than the items. Lots of UK websites used to promise to deliver gifts/hampers etc but all now say things along the lines of 'unfortunately due to customs issues we've given up sending to Europe'.

you may have more luck if you're sending to a larger country but my tips are: send something small & light, if possible send from a website based in the recipients country, and be absolutely sure customs charges are included and they won't be charged to receive it!