Британская музыкальная индустрия призывает правительство отменить вредные таможенные сборы ЕС

UK music industry calls on government to tackle "damaging" EU export fees The EU introduced new fees for small packages this summer, dramatically increasing the cost of sending music products such as vinyl records and merch UK Music and the Association of Independent Music (AIM) have shared a joint statement calling on the UK government to tackle "damaging" new fees for exporting goods to the European Union. On July 1, the EU introduced a new, flat customs duty of €3 per small package which, combined with existing mail carrier fees, has dramatically increased the cost of sending music products such as vinyl records, CDs and other merchandise. Ahead of the new fee introduction, the EU's 452 million people were exempt from duty fees for products valued below €150 under "de minimis exemption". In a joint letter shared via Music Week, UK Music chief executive Tom Kiehl and AIM deputy chair Tony Morley said the changes have put "particular pressure" on music companies "given the increasing importance of selling direct to music fans across the EU." Read this next: UK music industry urges government to crack down on ticket touts Kiehl and Morley say the fees are "too high to be absorbed by sellers on lower value items without suffering losses", meaning that companies are now having to cover the rise by "significantly" increasing postage and packaging prices. "If someone in Germany or France buys three different types of product from the UK related to their favourite artist, say a vinyl record, T-shirt and poster, this will result in €9 of extra costs, plus a £1 handling fee," they write. "This acts as a huge disincentive and will mean the Germans and French will more likely save their Euros than spend on music shipped from the UK." The pair point to the government's recently unveiled "Turn It Up – Our Plan For Music" pledge to help encourage growth in the UK music industry. "We need a concerted effort from the UK government to secure an exemption for music products at future summits," they write. Support Your Local Club: Shop the Mixmag range here "Artists trying to break through, whether domestically or internationally, need ways to cement their relationship with fans in order to break through, gain sufficient returns on investment and build long-term careers, with direct-to-customer sales of vinyl albums, CDs and other merchandise such as T-shirts growing in importance." "Many smaller independent labels rely on direct physical sales for a significant portion of the income they need to invest in and support artists," it continues. You can read the full joint letter here [Via: Music Week] Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, get in touch with her here. Mixmag will use the information you provide to send you the Mixmag newsletter using Mailchimp as our marketing platform. You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us. By clicking sign me up you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.