Context
Services related to the import of goods, the value of which is included in the import tax base, are exempt from VAT in accordance with Article 144 of the VAT Directive (in Belgium: Article 41, § 1, first paragraph, 2° of the VAT Code).
Furthermore, Article 86 of the VAT Directive stipulates that the transport costs of imported goods to their first destination must be included in the taxable amount upon importation (Article 34, § 2, first paragraph, 2° of the VAT Code). This applies even if the destination is in another Member State (provided that this destination is known at the time of importation).
- The Cartrans Preda Case (C-461/21)
- Court’s Assessment
- Commentary
Source: VAT Consult
See also
- C-461/21 (Cartrans Preda) – Judgment – Exemption for (transport) services to imported goods also if documents prescribed by national regulations are not available
- Summary of the ECJ Case C-461/21 (Cartrans) – VAT exemption for carriage services connected with the importation of goods
- Join the Linkedin Group on ECJ VAT Cases, click HERE
- For an overview of ECJ cases per article of the EU VAT Directive, click HERE
Latest Posts in "European Union"
- Playing Music Without Required License Is a Taxable Service, Says Advocate General
- PEM Zone: Implementation Status and Legal Fragmentation of Revised Origin Rules from January 2026
- Innovative Customs Education Workshop Spurs Collaboration; Final Chance for Universities to Apply for EU Recognition
- Briefing documents & Podcasts: VAT concepts explained through ECJ/CJEU cases on Spotify
- Navigating VAT Exemptions: Recent ECJ Judgments and Their Implications for Intra-Community Transactions and Imports













