Message from eBay - Intra-EU sales, 10k limit (depsite I'm way under)

[amphibolous]

I'm hoping someone more knowledgeable can help here, as I received an email regarding sales to Germany and the 10k limit for cross border EU sales. I've never listed on the German website, and my intra-EU sales for the entire year amount to about 1,000 euros (it was also around the same amount in 2024 and every year prior).

For context I am based in France. My sales have mostly been to the USA and UK. I was aware of a 10k limit within the EU itself, but because my intra-EU sales are very low, I never thought they'd be an issue. eBay are now telling me because I have crossed the 10k threshold of sales in general (nearly all of them to the USA and UK) I'm now liable for signing up to the IOSS (Import One Stop Shop). Incidentally the general threshold for VAT in France is approximately 90,000 euros, and I've never been anywhere close to that either.

I've been in contact with eBay and explained that my intra-EU sales are just over 1,000 euros, but they say that is irrelevant because my overall sales (mostly outside the EU) are over 10,000 euros. I've been reading numerous sites on the matter since and they all talk about intra-EU sales only, so I'm very confused.

Thanks for anyone who can shine a light on this.

[bzmotman]

You may be better trying a board on a Ebay site within the EU. There used to be very active boards on the German site which might be of help. You say you have been in touch with Ebay but who? Was it UK customer services? If so I would not believe what they say as they frequently get it wrong for UK issues.

It might also be advisable to seek advice from an accountant familiar with French & EU rules.

[amphibolous]

I list on eBay.co.uk and the message came from eBay UK, which is why I'm posting here, as I don't use any of the other eBay sites.

Their message starts "due to a change in EU VAT legislation, as of 1 July 2021 a new annual threshold for EU cross-border sales of 10,000 Euro applies. In the light of these changes, we have reviewed your eBay account"

When I explain my intra-EU sales are way below, they replied:
If you: - are established in the EU, - ship ALL your goods from within the EU, - make sales to non-VAT registered buyers in any of the EU countries, and the combined total of these sales exceeds €10,000, you will need to collect VAT in all EU countries based on the delivery address. To do this, you will either have to register for VAT in each of the EU countries where you make sales, or use the EU VAT One Stop Shop.

They are adamant it is triggered by selling more than 10,000 euros, regardless of where it's going, whereas I can only find information that states this threshold is only applicable within cross border EU sales.

[bzmotman]

"make sales to non-VAT registered buyers in any of the EU countries, and the combined total of these sales exceeds €10,000"

The problem seems to be that Ebay do not understand which countries are in the EU. Its similar to the notice that they put on all UK business sellers listings "I certify that all my selling activities will comply with all EU laws and regulations" even though we are no longer in the EU.

My only suggestion would be to ring CS just after 0800 & hope to get to speak to someone in Dublin. They at least should understand that the UK is no longer in the EU. Whether they will have a fix is another question.