eBay has always supported small businesses who want to grow their business by reaching new markets within the EU and beyond. That is why we support the EU ambition of a true Digital Single Market. However, new EU VAT rules are in the pipeline which would harm Internet-enabled small businesses and artisans and the consumers that shop with them. The result will be:

• New taxes on cross-border sales: European small businesses who currently do not have to charge VAT in their home country would be forced to charge it for sales to other EU countries even if they are selling as little as €10,000 across all of Europe. These proposals would disproportionately hit the smallest micro enterprises and artisans, many of them in the most remote parts of Europe, who depend on online marketplaces like eBay to reach new markets to grow their business.  
• Higher prices for consumers: In addition to these new sales taxes on EU sales, low value imports from outside the EU would now be subject to VAT. This will hurt European consumers at a time when their household budgets are already being squeezed.    
• Less cross-border trade within Europe and less choice for consumers: Far from expanding the Digital Single Market, many small businesses may simply choose to export less, undermining Internet-enabled economic growth.
• More red tape for European small businesses: Small businesses with pan-European sales of as little as €10,000 will face new VAT rules, many for the first time. VAT is already confusing enough for small businesses. Let’s not make it harder.

We can’t fight these changes without your help. Make your voice heard by signing our petition.