Shipping Slow Release T3 to Europe
Chronic Illness Research ships slow release T3 (SRT3) to European countries via tracked international airmail from Canada. Orders are dispatched from our Canadian facility and typically arrive within 10–21 business days depending on your country and customs processing.
All European shipments include a tracking number. Tracking coverage varies by country — most Western European postal services provide full domestic tracking once the package enters the country, while some Eastern European countries may only show tracking up to the point of customs entry.
European Customs and Import Rules
Importing research compounds into Europe involves customs clearance, and rules vary significantly between EU member states, EEA countries, and the UK. Here is what to expect:
EU member states: Packages entering the European Union are subject to customs inspection at the country of entry. Research compounds that are not controlled substances generally clear customs, but some EU countries apply stricter import scrutiny than others. Liothyronine is not a controlled substance under EU law, but individual member states may classify thyroid hormones differently for import purposes.
United Kingdom: Since Brexit, the UK operates its own customs regime separate from the EU. UK customs (HMRC) processes research compound imports under standard goods classification. Liothyronine is a prescription-only medicine (POM) in the UK for clinical use, but research-grade material shipped for non-clinical research purposes is handled differently at the border.
VAT and duties: Packages valued above the de minimis threshold may be subject to import VAT and/or customs duties. The de minimis threshold varies:
| Country/Region | VAT Threshold | Typical VAT Rate |
|---|---|---|
| EU (most states) | €0 (abolished July 2021) | 19–27% depending on country |
| United Kingdom | £135 | 20% |
| Norway | NOK 0 | 25% |
| Switzerland | CHF 65 | 7.7% |
In practice, this means most European orders will be subject to local VAT charged at the point of customs clearance. Your postal service or courier will collect this fee upon delivery. We declare accurate values on all customs documentation.
Estimated Delivery Times by Country
| Country | Estimated Delivery | Customs Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 10–14 business days | HMRC clearance, typically smooth |
| Germany | 12–16 business days | Zoll (customs) may request documentation |
| Netherlands | 10–14 business days | Generally fast customs clearance |
| France | 12–16 business days | La Poste handles customs duties on delivery |
| Sweden | 12–15 business days | Tullverket processes efficiently |
| Denmark | 12–15 business days | PostNord may charge handling fee for customs |
| Finland | 13–17 business days | Tulli clearance, may require online declaration |
| Norway | 14–18 business days | Non-EU, stricter customs checks |
| Belgium | 11–15 business days | Smooth customs processing |
| Austria | 12–16 business days | Standard EU customs procedure |
| Ireland | 10–14 business days | Generally fast via An Post |
| Spain | 14–18 business days | Correos customs can be slower |
| Italy | 14–19 business days | Poste Italiane customs processing varies |
| Poland | 14–18 business days | Improving customs turnaround |
| Czech Republic | 14–18 business days | Standard EU processing |
| Portugal | 14–18 business days | CTT handles customs on delivery |
| Greece | 16–21 business days | ELTA customs can add delays |
These estimates are based on typical transit times. Actual delivery can vary during peak postal seasons (November–January) or due to customs backlogs.
Available SRT3 Dosages
All four dosages of our sustained-release T3 formulation are available for European shipping:
- SRT3-15 (15 mcg) — Entry-level dosage for initial research protocols
- SRT3-30 (30 mcg) — Standard research dosage
- SRT3-45 (45 mcg) — Intermediate dosage for established protocols
- SRT3-60 (60 mcg) — High-dose formulation for advanced research
All SRT3 products use a sustained-release matrix that delivers liothyronine over 12 hours, providing stable blood levels compared to instant-release formulations.
Why European Researchers Order From Canada
Access to slow release T3 varies widely across Europe. Here is why many European-based researchers source SRT3 from Canadian suppliers:
Limited European compounding options. Sustained-release T3 is not widely available from European compounding pharmacies. While countries like Germany and the Netherlands have active compounding pharmacy sectors, not all produce sustained-release liothyronine. In many European countries, compounding pharmacies are uncommon or restricted to hospital settings.
Prescription barriers. In most European countries, liothyronine is a prescription medication for clinical use. Researchers studying thyroid hormone pharmacokinetics or sustained-release delivery systems may find it difficult to source the specific formulations they need through standard clinical channels.
Standardized formulation. European compounding pharmacies that do produce slow release T3 may use different excipients, release matrices, and capsule technologies. Our SRT3 uses a consistent sustained-release matrix with documented specifications, which is valuable for reproducible research protocols.
NHS and public healthcare limitations. In the UK, T3 prescribing has been restricted within the NHS since 2017 due to cost concerns (branded Liothyronine prices reached £258 per pack). While this primarily affects clinical patients, it has also reduced the availability of T3 formulations through UK pharmaceutical supply chains more broadly.
Payment Methods for European Orders
We accept two payment methods for European orders:
- Bitcoin (BTC) — Processed via BTCPay Server with no surcharge. Bitcoin is the preferred payment method for European orders as it avoids international card processing fees and currency conversion charges. Transactions confirm within minutes and orders ship within 24 hours.
- PayPal — Available with a 20% processing surcharge. PayPal handles currency conversion automatically from your local currency (EUR, GBP, SEK, NOK, CHF, etc.) to CAD.
All transactions are encrypted, and no product-specific information appears on any payment receipt or statement.
European Shipping FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to import T3 into my European country?
Liothyronine is not a controlled substance under EU law or UK law. However, it is classified as a prescription-only medicine in most European countries for clinical use. Import rules for research-grade compounds vary by country. It is the buyer's responsibility to verify the import regulations for their specific jurisdiction before ordering. In practice, research-quantity shipments of non-controlled thyroid compounds generally clear customs in most Western European countries.
How long does shipping take to Europe?
Most Western European countries receive orders within 10–16 business days. Southern and Eastern European countries may take 14–21 business days. The UK typically receives orders in 10–14 business days. All orders include a tracking number.
Will I have to pay customs duties or VAT?
Most likely yes. The EU abolished the €22 de minimis VAT exemption in July 2021, meaning virtually all imports are subject to VAT. Your local postal service will typically collect the VAT amount (ranging from 19–27% depending on country) upon delivery. The UK charges 20% VAT on imports over £135. We declare accurate values on customs forms so duties are calculated correctly.
What happens if my package is held at customs?
Customs holds happen occasionally, particularly in Germany (Zoll), Norway (Tollvesenet), and Finland (Tulli). If your package is held, you may receive a letter requesting additional documentation or asking you to pay duties before release. Contact our support team and we will provide any documentation your customs authority requires. If a package is returned to us by customs, we offer a one-time reship at no additional cost.
Do you ship to non-EU European countries?
Yes, we ship to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and the United Kingdom. These countries have separate customs procedures from the EU, and delivery times may be slightly longer due to additional border processing. Turkey and Balkan countries are evaluated on a case-by-case basis — contact us before ordering if you are in a non-EU/non-EEA country.
Can I order in my local currency?
All prices on our site are displayed in Canadian Dollars (CAD). Bitcoin payments are processed at the current BTC/CAD exchange rate. PayPal automatically converts from CAD to your local currency using PayPal's exchange rate. Your bank or card issuer may apply a small foreign exchange fee on top of the PayPal conversion.