Parcel Motel, a parcel collection service, will suspend its UK virtual address service on 28 December due to the impact of Brexit.
Parcel Motel had offered online shoppers in the Republic of Ireland a way to circumvent international shipping restrictions and added costs by allowing them to pay for the use of its 'Virtual Address', which would see packages first shipped to the company's depot in Newtownabbey in Co Antrim, before being distributed around the country.
However, the company will no longer be accepting deliveries to the Newtownabbey facility as of 28 December, and the service will be "suspended" on 31 December.
"As of 31 December, our virtual address services in the UK will be temporarily suspended, until such time as a final Brexit decision has been implemented and our services have been adapted to meet the new requirements," the company said.
Parcel Motel said this was because the UK is leaving the single market and customs union.
"As a result, all parcels crossing the new border between Britain and Ireland will be subject to customs formalities affecting the cost and transit time of your shipment," it said.
The company said it was working on a new offering to meet post-Brexit requirements and will consider the reintroduction of the service.
The company is also suspending its service which allowed customers to send and return parcels to the UK on 31 December.
"Parcels travelling back to the UK from Ireland will be subject to customs formalities affecting the cost and transit time of your shipment.
"We will therefore be suspending these services also and you will notice that some retailers have been removed from our website. Parcel Motel will accept return shipments until 30 December," it said.
"When sending parcels to the UK after this date, we recommend that you check the retailer's website for their recommended returns methods," it added.
Parcel Motel lockers for other deliveries and the Ireland Virtual Address will continue to operate as normal.
