EU: EU mulls customs admin tax on non-EU seller platforms

Chinese and other non-EU seller marketplaces may face customs admin charge in response to alleged widespread tax evasion
European Commission officials are reported to be considering a new customs administration levy on platforms for non-EU sourced low-value imports. A potential revenue or handling charge framework is likely to be made public in January with the new Commission coming into office at the start of this month. The move is spurred by compliants from many member states of unfair tax and lax product standards.

The €150 customs duties threshold is to be scrapped under 2028 EU customs reform proposals.

Any levy could be targeted at marketplaces on non-EU sourced goods sold to EU consumers and declared as under the €150 customs exemption threshold. It is believed that there is widespread under declarations of the value of parcels sold on popular sites such as Shein and Temu. Shipments from such sites will top €4 billion this year, and have tripled since 2022.

However, the revenue and administration charge reported as being considered however would likely fall foul of international tax rules and treaties. And would most probably transgress World Trade Organisation rules.

5 August 2024

UK: ‘Free money’: £4bn lost to fraud and error on flagship HMRC ‘innovation’ scheme

A government scheme to champion new research and boost the economy has cost more than £4bn in fraud and error since 2020 after widespread abuse. The research and development tax credits scheme was

Read More
25 October 2024

AFRICA: Nigerian court orders release of Binance executive after charges dropped

A Nigerian court on Wednesday ordered the release of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan after the government dropped money laundering charges against him to allow him to get medical treatment abroad.

Read More
16 February 2024

UAE: UAE nearing the end of FATF grey list journey

In a significant development reported in October 2023, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is on the cusp of being removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) “grey list.” This list, known

Read More
9 February 2024

AFRICA: Kenyan Banks Disclose Foreign Account Holders’ Information to KRA in Bid for Tax Transparency

In a move towards fiscal transparency, Kenyan banks disclose foreign account holders’ information to the KRA under the Common Reporting Standards (CRS). The initiative aims to curb illicit wealth

Read More