COVID-19: NEWS ROUND-UP Brexit-ready tax refund kiosks primed at Paris Gare du Nord
Tax refund kiosks installed at Gare du Nord railway station in Paris are ready to begin functioning at the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December, French customs have confirmed to TRBusiness. The new PABLO units, located at the Eurostar terminal after the customs security
ETRC backs cross-sector calls for EU testing protocol to avoid quarantining
The European Travel Retail Confederation (ETRC) has joined more than 20 travel and tourism bodies and unions calling on the EU Commission to replace quarantine restrictions with an EU Testing Protocol for Travel. An open letter to EU Commission
President Ursula von der Leyen attracting 25 signatories representing more than 5,000 member companies and workers points to a ‘chaotic situation’ caused by diverging travel restrictions and a lack of direction. While the letter acknowledges the
proposed EU coordination framework for travel restrictions as a ‘much-needed step in the right direction’, the trade bodies highlighted Member States’ reservations in implementing the proposal, putting at risk the livelihoods of 27 million Europeans. “We are therefore urging you to
ensure that the Commission takes the lead in the development of an EU Testing Protocol for travel and its implementation to avoid quarantines and re-open borders,” read the letter. “While some national lockdowns and
travel restrictions remain lifted within national borders, cross-border travel within the EU/Schengen area continues to be treated differently and without adequate justification.”
ACI and DFWC seek urgent support to drive rapid recovery of DF&TR sales
Airports Council International (ACI) World and the Duty Free World Council (DFWC) have called for urgent measures to support the recovery of the international airport industry. ACI’s Policy Brief — Path to the
airport industry recovery — Restoring a sustainable economic equilibrium highlights the crucial role DF&TR plays in the success and growth of airports worldwide. Up to 44% of airport revenues come from non-aeronautical sources, with retail concessions contributing 30% of this figure. A rapid recovery of DF&TR sales will
help provide vital revenues to airports and help the entire aviation industry return to financial health. The ACI Policy Brief, which has the full
support of the DFWC, calls for a temporary relaxation of travellers’ duty free limits and allowances for selected duty free products.
6 TRBUSINESS DFWC President, Sarah Branquinho. OCTOBER 2020
Relaxing the limits and allowances would stimulate sales and consequently help airports generate revenues from their retail concessionaires. Additionally, the policy brief calls for
the introduction of duty and tax free shopping on arrival to level the playing f ield with those countries which have already introduced duty and tax free shopping on arrival.
control zone before the boarding gates, will serve travellers between Paris and London. British travellers will be able to claim a
refund on VAT (known as TVA in France) on purchases made in France over the value of €175/$207 (inclusive of taxes). Customs agents will be on hand to verify,
as necessary, any merchandise and have received specific ‘Brexit training’. Shoppers buying items that are eligible
for a tax refund receive a tax refund slip from the merchant. The slip is then validated by a kiosk
equipped with an optical reader prior to departure to confirm the export of the goods in the same way as a customs stamp, with a log sent to the tax refund operator. Under current rules, non-EU travellers
can make unrestricted tax-free purchases (including electronic cigarettes and e-liquids) during their stay in France subject to certain conditions: the purchaser is at least 16 years old, they usually live outside the EU or in a tax-related territory, and are staying in France or the EU for a period longer than six months.
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