Source: Claudio Schwarz / Unsplash
Platforms like AliExpress or Wish are extremely popular with us. You can order almost anything there, and the shipping rates from China are low, if not completely free. Even though the chances of getting ripped off are high, there are some absolutely decent offers.
Of course, you have to wait awhile for the package, but - while being careful about what you buy - it's generally cheap. However, from July 1, 2021, legal changes at the European Union level will come into force and change the situation a bit.
Small sums taxes
Since July 1, the European Commission has introduced taxes on small shipments from the Far East. The European Union is also taking the opportunity to strengthen the package control system.
Until then, small shipments with a value of less than 22 euros from a country outside the European Union (China, United States, United Kingdom, etc.) benefited from an exemption from the Tax on value added (VAT). This situation will change due to the establishment of a European project called Import Control System 2 which aims to better control rapid shipments by air. It is the latter who will be subject to VAT from July 1, 2021.
This will be done gradually, so there is a high probability that your packages will not be taxed right away. Nevertheless, it is the lottery, you will usually know it at the time of delivery. E-commerce platforms will have to pass VAT on to their prices, especially since all air freight will be affected from March 1, 2023.
VAT fraud is a problem on these platforms
It is not only AliExpress or Wish that are affected, but all the foreign sellers that can be found on marketplaces like those of Amazon, Cdiscount, Fnac, Darty and so on.
Amazon and AliExpress are already committed to respecting European regulations on sales, taxes and customs declarations, so we can expect price increases.
