Pending the recasting of the VAT rules with the introduction of the definitive system planned for 1 January 2022, the European Council approved a series of small measures to improve the current system, the “Quick Fixes”, which should enter into force as of 1 January 2020.
The fourth measure concerns the harmonization of the rules of evidence for the carriage of goods for the benefit of the exemption applicable to intra-Community supplies.
THE NEED FOR HARMONIZATION OF THE RULES OF PROOF OF INTRA-COMMUNITY TRANSPORT
Proof of intra-Community transport of goods is a basic condition of the exemption of intra-Community supplies.
When the supplier is unable to provide satisfactory proof, the tax authorities of the Member States do not hesitate to think of the exemption and to tax the transactions.
The fact that each Member State has its own requirements for proof of transport is a problem of obvious legal certainty for companies, which is why harmonization in this area has proved necessary.
THE NEW RULES OF EVIDENCE WHEN THE SUPPLIER ORGANIZES INTRA-COMMUNITY TRANSPORT OF GOODS
When the supplier organizes the intra-Community transport of the goods, the latter must be able to provide 2 proofs:
- or 2 non-contradictory proofs concerning shipping or transport and provided by two independent persons: CMR, bill of lading, air freight bill, carrier bill …
- either 1 proof of shipment or transport + an other non-contradictory evidence such as insurance contract for the international transport of goods or an acknowledgment of receipt of the goods by the storage provider in the Member State of destination.
THE NEW RULES OF EVIDENCE WHEN THE CUSTOMER ORGANIZES THE INTRA-COMMUNITY TRANSPORT OF GOODS
When the customer organizes the intra-Community transport of the goods, the supplier must be able to provide 3 proofs:
- the same 2 proofs as when the supplier arranges the transport (see above)
- + 1 written confirmation by the purchaser of the receipt of the goods in the other Member State.
You can contact our experts now to be accompanied on your customs operations, and for VAT refund requests that may arise.
