Explainer: VAT and customs rules for cross-border e-commerce
22 April 25
Celine Senay
The explainer covers the main rules regarding VAT in the context of cross-border e-commerce, applicable as of 1 July 2021.
The EU's VAT rules for the online sales of goods and services aim to facilitate cross-border trade, combat VAT fraud, reduce administrative and compliance costs, and ensure fair competition for EU businesses.
Alternative operators are gaining market share in the parcel market and employing more staff
11 April 25
Celine Senay
Between 2019 and 2023, the European postal market has been transformed by a continued decline in letter mail volumes, sustained growth in the parcels segment and significant changes in market structure.
Review of the postal universal service will be among Ofcom’s priorities for the next three years
01 April 25
Armen Ghalumyan
Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, defined its strategic priorities in the postal sector regulation in its newly published workplan. The regulator aims to ensure the availability of a sustainable and affordable universal service throughout the UK that meets changing user needs.
European Commission approves state aid for Czech Post to reimburse the net cost of the universal service
18 March 25
Jan Cisar
The regulator can compensate the postal incumbent for the provision of the postal universal service for the period of 2023–2024.
PostNord to cease handling letters in Denmark
10 March 25
Peter Dunn
PostNord, previously the postal universal service provider in Denmark, has decided to stop handling letters after 30 December 2025. PostNord will also take down all of its current 1,500 mailboxes around the country by the end of 2025 and will stop selling postage stamps on 18 December 2025.
ERGP report shows postal quality of service performance varies significantly across Europe
28 February 25
Michael van Maris van Dijk
Universal service providers (USPs) reported a slight increase in the achievement of priority mail quality targets in 2023. At the same time, USPs reported a rise in end-user complaints. These are some of the findings from a report analysing trends related to postal quality of service, consumer protection and complaint handling, published by the European Regulators Group for Postal Services.