From July 1, changes in EU VAT will affect businesses, to include suppliers and retailers in the gift and home industry, who are selling products direct to consumers in EU countries. The Greeting Card Association (GCA) has been pro-active in highlighting the need for support to central Government at BEIS, HMRC and the Department of International Trade (DIT), representing an estimated 23,000 small and micro-businesses across the country.
“Currently, orders under 22 euros can be supplied direct to consumers in the EU VAT free,” explains the GCA’s ceo Amanda Fergusson. “However, from July 1, all orders under £150 supplied to customers in EU countries will have to charge VAT at the correct VAT rate for the country in which the consumer resides.”
Last month, the GCA assembled a specialist panel of experts to respond to members’ questions and discuss the changes coming into play this July. The panel included an expert in international VAT from Avalara, two representatives from the Department of International Trade (DIT) and GCA members experienced in export. Click HERE to read more.
Among the topics discussed was the benefits of registering for Import One Stop Shop (IOSS).
“The key point is that information is still emerging about how businesses can best manage these changes,” continues Amanda. “In the first instance, if businesses have questions they should speak to their local DIT as this is free. Also, if they are selling via an online marketplace, they need to look at what they are doing as they should be managing this for their sellers.”
The GCA also offers a basic Starting Up – Export blog for companies keen to get into export for the first time. “All the information is in our Brexit Blog, which we are regularly updating,” confirms Amanda, who adds that the issue is also being taken up by the Financial Times, which is planning to carry a feature in a forthcoming edition.
Top: From left to right: Emily Lambert, trade advisor DIT; Amanda Fergusson, ceo, GCA; John Welsh, founder of 2WL; Tom Dixon, E-commerce specialist DIT; Richard Asquith, VP global indirect tax at Avalara; David Falkner, director, Cardology, and Daniel Prince, managing director at Danilo. The group recently took part in a second GCA seminar on changing EU VAT rules.
