Folio Society ceases delivery to 17 EU countries owing to Brexit VAT costs

The Folio Society says it is “deeply saddened” by post-Brexit VAT regulations that mean it can no longer afford to deliver to 17 EU countries.

From 1st July, the illustrated classics publisher will no longer deliver to Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia or Slovenia.

Additionally, 10 other countries in the EU — Austria, Belguim, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and Sweden — will be limited to express shipping, almost doubling the cost from £5.99 to £9.99 for delivery of one title.

The London-based publisher tweeted the changes, writing: “This is not a decision we have taken lightly. We are very proud that Folio books are read and enjoyed around the globe and consider ourselves very lucky to have served some great customers and made good friends throughout the EU for many years.

"Following the UK’s exit from the European Union on 1st January 2021 and the end of the transition arrangement on 30th June, the new rules mean that we have to register for VAT in every country we sell to. The increased administrative burden and cost of this means that as a small business, sadly, we cannot affordably continue to trade in these countries.

"We will constantly review the situation and will keep our website updated with any developments but for now we can only apologise for the disappointment and distress that this will cause. We are deeply saddened to be in this situation.”

Joanna Reynolds, c.e.o. of The Folio Society, told The Bookseller: “Folio is very sad that we can no longer deliver to our wonderful customers in 17 EU countries. We are monitoring the situation and will do all we can to restore the service."

Last week, a London Book Fair seminar heard how Brexit regulations are causing problems for bookshops in Ireland and Europe with costs mounting up.