In THREE! months, significant legislative changes will come into force across the EU that will substantially impact consumers and supply chains. The changes aim to curb fraud by foreign mail-order companies and end preferential tax treatment over EU-based traders.
1. Duty-free threshold of 22 EUR will be abolished
2. Import VAT (19%) is to be paid by the consumer, virtually from 1 cent onwards
3. Import duties will additionally be levied on goods with a value of more than 150 EUR
4. Oral customs declaration will be abolished – there will be a written declaration requirement
Due to a lack of preparation and transparency for many merchants, massive cost disadvantages can arise for consumers in the destination country. Consumers must expect increased handling costs from all carriers and delays in delivery times.
It is very curious that very little is reported in the press about the upcoming changes or that hardly any attention is paid to the topic. After all, estimations expect about 100 million shipments with a value of fewer than 22 euros are imported every year in Germany alone.
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