Belgium's Federal Public Service (SPF) Finance has issued a release concerning the royal decree amending various decrees for the implementation of the EU's new VAT e-commerce rules (Directives), which apply from 1 July 2021. The release notes that the royal decree has received a positive opinion from the Council of State (supreme administrative court) and that a request for publication in the Official Gazette has been made. As with a prior release on the royal decree, it is also noted that the text of the royal decree is given in advance of the official publication so that companies can prepare, given the importance of the changes.

As previously reported, the royal decree sets out requirements to maintain and submit information on e-commerce activities and supplies, including types of supplies of goods and services, delivery dates, amounts, VAT rate applied, invoice information, etc. The royal decree also sets out new rules for distance sales in the EU, including the simplification option for smaller businesses with annual sales not exceeding EUR 10,000, which allows the accounting of VAT according to local rules. Lastly, the royal decree provides new rules on refunds, imports from third (non-EU) countries, penalties, and other matters.