Information about sending Arrivee magazines to the EU

We have experienced some issues with sending Arrivee magazine to members in the EU recently as there has been a potential VAT liability on these since 2021.  This only seems to have been a problem for copies we have sent directly eg to new members, but unfortunately where VAT has been charged, an admin fee - generally higher than the tax - has also been demanded. Therefore we will unfortunately not be able to send you a welcome pack as a new member outside the UK - our apologies.
Copies sent to members via the printer/mailing house when we have a new issue seem to have been OK so far. I have not had any instances of requirement for VAT payment notified to me for these, but please let me know if you are charged or advised that there is a fee to pay.   
The situation regarding this liability and whether we do anything to avoid it is not 100% clear. I have summarised below what we understand, what we propose to do and what you can do:
  1. Even if no demands have been made to date, there is no guarantee this won't happen in future - these things are often not enforced until some time after they techically become applicable (hence us only just becoming aware of this) and may vary between countries.
  2. It is not practical for Audax UK to pre-pay VAT to remove any liability for you (and as a business we cannot send everything to you as a "gift"!)
  3. You can choose an "Arrivee opt out" subscription - you can access the magazine retrospectively online now, and in the new year I hope we will make the current issue available online to members
  4. If you choose a "with Arrivee" subscription then you do risk facing a VAT demand
  5. We will not refund the value of any admin fee and/or VAT to you. If you receive a demand you can opt not to pay it (by rejecting the delivery), let me know and in the short term we can make an electronic copy available to you if requested. If in doubt about whether a demand relates to Arrivee you can contact me
  6. If you wish to switch to the "Arrivee opt out" subscription at any time you can contact me and we will refund part of your postal supplement to account for unsent magazines
My apologies for the inconvenience and uncertainty - yet another Brexit effect.  This probably affects all non-EU countries who have a stronger alignment with EU rules than the UK and hence you could have the same issue.
Last updated 24/10/25