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With the entry into force of the so-called Geo-blocking Regulation, online stores are no longer allowed to refuse customers from other countries. Does that now mean you can shop online worldwide without any problems? Well no.
The Geo-blocking Regulation came into effect on December 3, 2018 and applies to online stores in the European Union. The new regulation means that you can buy items from a French or German webshop under the same conditions as consumers from that country. However, there is one but…
Difference Between Selling and Delivering
In practice, the regulation will not change much. This is because the selling party – i.e. the webshop – is allowed to sell across the border, but is not obliged to deliver the purchased item across the border. And that’s inconvenient to say the least.
A special pan from France
An example. You have been looking for a very special pan for a long time and you will eventually find it at a webshop in France. Previously, such a webshop did not have to offer you – as a consumer from the Netherlands – the opportunity to order. With the new Geo-blocking Regulation he has to, so voila: you order that beautiful pan. However, the webshop does not appear to deliver in the Netherlands – and is still not obliged to do so. He must, however, offer you the option of having the pan delivered to a shop, a private address or a collection point elsewhere in France. Or in Belgium – assuming he does deliver in Belgium.
border area
Because web shops do not have to deliver across borders, the expectation is that the average consumer will only order an item across the border if that item is very unique or very cheap. If you live near the border with Germany or Belgium, the ban on geo-blocking will increase your shopping options. You can then have your order delivered just across the border and pick it up there. You always pay the VAT of the country where the delivery takes place.
Owners webshop
The Geo-blocking Regulation does change a lot for owners of a webshop. They must adapt their order form in such a way that consumers from other EU countries can also place an order. In addition, they must clearly indicate where they do and do not deliver.