[ad_1]
Currently, shipments from third countries (that is, not from the European Union) with a value of less than € 22 are free of 21%. VAT Once the amendments to the law take effect, the tax will also apply to these shipments.
As explained by the Ministry of Finance, the current VAT exemption for small shipments is being abolished in all EU Member States as a result of an amendment to the VAT Directive adopted by the EU.
“The main objective is to harmonize the tax treatment of sellers from the EU and third countries, since EU companies must apply VAT regardless of the value of the goods sold, which leads to their competitive disadvantage,” said the ministry in a comment.
Their specialists couldn’t answer how much more will be raised by forgoing the current benefit.
However, according to them, when the amendment to the VAT Directive was presented, a study commissioned by the European Commission from Ernst & Young provided estimates that in 2015. Across the EU, this benefit has been expanded to € 144 million. Shipments About profit in 2015 EU countries may have lost up to $ 1 billion. euro tax
Vaida Budrienė, Head of the Department of Corporate Affairs of the Lithuanian Post, also noted that the EU directive is being implemented by government decision.
“As you know, it foresees that from 2021. In EU countries, all shipments from third countries will be subject to VAT (currently only € 22). This directive was started by the finding that third parties often” deceive “and do not indicate the actual values of a shipment.
As a result, EU countries lose millions due to unpaid taxes, and it is extremely difficult to catch every shipment. After all, millions of them “spin” through one distribution center a day, “explained V. Budrienė.
According to her, how much each shipment will depend on its value. For example, if a shipment costs 1 euro, you will have to calculate 21%. VAT: This is to add 21 cents.
“Lietuvos Paštas, together with Customs, is currently implementing an automated tax payment system, so that residents who send packages from third countries do not have to complete one package declaration each time. This will be done through automated systems, “said the postal spokeswoman.
According to her, the largest number of small packages through the Lithuania Post, as well as probably many European postal services and large packages, comes from China.
According to Lithuanian Post data in the first quarter of this year, China’s parcels account for about 64 percent. total inbound traffic from other countries.
[ad_2]
