The European Commission has requested EY to perform an "Assessment of the application and impact of the VAT exemption for importation of small consignments". The European Commission seeks to evaluate to which extent the VAT exemption for importation of small commercial and private consignments is having an impact on EU businesses, including on small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The EU VAT Directive provides for a VAT exemption on the importation of small consignments below the EUR 10/22 threshold. This exemption is implemented by all 28 EU Member States. The Study carried out for the Commission presents an overview of the legal framework and procedures in place in the 28 EU Member States, as well as an economic analysis of the low value consignments market from 1999 until 2013, including an estimation of the potential VAT foregone by tax authorities due to this exemption.