European Commission
e-Commerce in the European Union
On this occasion, Vice-President Ansip said:
Together with the end of roaming charges, the modernisation of data protection rules and the possibility for citizens to travel with their online content, several initiatives on e-commerce are making the Digital Single Market a reality for all and creating new digital rights. For that purpose, we also need the new rules ending unjustified geoblocking to be applied correctly from day one. This is why we have issued practical guidelines aimed at helping online sellers to adapt to the new rules before they fully apply.
As of 3 December, Europeans will be able to shop online without unjustified geoblocking wherever they are in the EU.
As of next year, citizens will be able to compare parcel delivery costs more easily and benefit from more affordable prices for cross-border parcel delivery. The news rules on value added tax for e-commerce will simplify taxation process for the entrepreneurs as of 2021.
Other proposals are being currently discussed in the European Parliament or negotiated between the institutions, such as contract rules for sale of goods and supply of digital content and the new deal for consumers. The aim is to agree on these new rules before the end of the current European Parliament legislature so that consumers and businesses take all the advantages of online commerce.
More information
- Factsheet on how you can make the most out of eCommerce in the EU as a consumer
- Factsheet on the end of unjustified geoblocking
- Short guide on the geoblocking rules for online sellers
- Questions and answers on geo-blocking with information for national authorities enforcing the new rules and practical assistance to consumers.
- New EU rules on e-commerce