Important changes to EU VAT rules as of July 1st, 2021

Outside EU Outside EU

Important changes to EU VAT rules as of July 1st, 2021

All businesses will be affected, but the changes will mainly affect business-to-consumer (B2C) sales and online marketplaces, including those based within the EU and those based outside that are selling to customers in the EU.

 

3 main changes

VAT exemption removal

Removal of the €22 import VAT exemption for all importer (professional and private)

From July 1, 2021, VAT will be charged on all commercial goods imported into the EU, regardless of valu

VAT electronic portal

Possible VAT payment by non-EU shipper via an electronic portal for B2C goods ≤ 150€ (If option for Import One-Stop Shop is applied)

For shipments with a value below 150€, VAT can either be charged at the time of the sale by the seller and refund by using the new Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) or collected from the end-consignee by the customs declarant if IOSS not chosen by the non-EU shipper.

VAT online marketplaces

Online marketplaces becoming the VAT collector for B2C goods ≤ 150€

Online marketplaces enabling sellers to sell their goods directly to end-consignee, will now be responsible for charging/collecting, reporting and remitting the VAT due from the end-consignee. The scheme would apply for cross-border or domestic transactions of any value. In any case, no VAT has to be collected by the customs declarant from the end-consignee.