European Union
This topic is the central hub for all content related to trading with and within the European Union. It covers essential areas such as EU customs procedures, import and export regulations, VAT compliance (including IOSS and OSS), and major legislative changes. Articles will also explore logistics, requirements for EORI numbers, the impact of the Import Control System 2 (ICS2), and analysis of EU trade agreements.
The End of an Era: How the EU's De Minimis Removal Reshapes Global E-commerce
The European Union has fundamentally altered the landscape of global e-commerce by eliminating its long-standing "de minimis" value thresholds for imports. As of 1 July 2021, the €22 VAT exemption for low-value parcels was abolished, meaning all goods imported into the EU are now subject to VAT. Building on this, the EU is now moving to scrap the €150 customs duty exemption, a change that will impact the final landed cost for a vast number of products. This major policy shift aims to level the playing field for EU businesses, combat tax fraud, and modernise customs processes. To manage this new system, the EU introduced the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS), a platform designed to simplify VAT collection for non-EU sellers.