The Russian State Duma approved a bill that temporarily freezes the VAT exemption threshold for small businesses on the simplified tax system at 20 million rubles through 2029. The threshold will then fall to 15 million rubles in 2029 and 10 million rubles in 2030, while businesses using the patent tax system remain unaffected.

Egypt's parliament approved amendments to the VAT law, cutting the VAT rate on medical devices to 5% and introducing a schedule tax on natural gas. The changes also reduce the refund period for credit balances, extend the suspension period for VAT payments on machinery and equipment, and provide faster refunds for certain small enterprises. The law will take effect the day after its publication in the Official Gazette.

Poland has introduced a new VAT warehouse regime effective 2026, allowing non‑resident businesses to defer VAT on goods stored in authorised warehouses and maintain 0% VAT treatment while goods remain in the facility. The regime requires compliance with KSeF e‑invoicing, registration for Polish VAT, and strict documentation. KSeF e‑invoicing rollout completed for most businesses on 1 April 2026.

The UK government has introduced a temporary VAT cut from 20% to 5% on a range of family-friendly activities, including cinema, theatre, attractions and children’s meals, running from 25 June 2026 until 1 September 2026. Businesses may choose to pass on the reduced rate, and the scheme also offers free local bus travel for children in England during August.

Saudi Arabia has approved amendments to the GCC Unified VAT Agreement, formalising a 5% minimum VAT rate across the Gulf and confirming Saudi Arabia's 15% and Bahrain's 10% rates. The reforms introduce a first‑port‑of‑entry model for import VAT, a VAT settlement mechanism for onward movements, and enhanced information sharing between GCC tax authorities.

Lesotho has introduced mandatory VAT e‑invoicing under the Value Added Tax (E‑Invoicing) Regulations 2026, which came into force on 1 April 2026. From 1 August 2026 VAT‑registered businesses must use RSL‑accredited electronic invoicing and point‑of‑sale systems, transmit invoices with digital signatures and QR codes to the IDMS, and comply with strict penalties for non‑compliance.

North Macedonia’s Public Revenue Office has launched the third pilot phase of its e‑Faktura e‑invoicing platform, moving from API testing to end‑user business process testing. The mandatory rollout of the system is scheduled for October 2026, requiring all non‑cash B2B invoices to be issued, validated and cleared electronically via the DAP central platform.

The UK government has announced a temporary reduction in VAT on children’s meals from 20% to 5% for the period 25 June to 1 September 2026, as part of the Great British summer savings scheme. Pubs and restaurants are already devising menus to take advantage of the discount, while industry leaders criticize the measure as a token gesture. The scheme also applies to cinema and theatre tickets and family attractions, with an estimated cost to the Treasury of £10.5 bn to £13 bn.

Sweden has submitted a ViDA VAT amendment bill to Parliament, which will enter into force on 1 January 2027. The bill updates cross‑border VAT rules, reporting deadlines, expands special regime scopes, introduces new output‑VAT accounting rules for electronic interfaces, and revises input‑VAT deduction limits for certain non‑EU taxpayers.

The EU will introduce a fixed customs duty fee of EUR 3 per distinct item for low‑value B2C imports from outside the EU, effective 1 July 2026. The previous duty relief for consignments valued up to EUR 150 will end, and the Commission has issued guidelines to help vendors comply.

The Netherlands has made the Digital Dossier system mandatory for all customs declarations effective 16 May 2026. Paper‑based and email submissions are no longer accepted; businesses must ensure their systems are fully aligned and integrated with the Dutch Customs DMS. The change aims to streamline customs processing and reduce manual handling.

Bangladesh’s government has proposed a comprehensive VAT exemption package for startups, content creators and freelancers in the 2026‑27 national budget. The package includes a 15% VAT exemption on services provided by freelancers and content creators, full local VAT exemption for startups, and 15% VAT exemption on imported services and office rentals, with the measures set to remain in force until 30 June 2035.

Slovakia is advancing its mandatory e‑invoicing rollout, with the new system set to take effect on 1 January 2027. A draft amendment to the VAT Act introduces transitional relief, exempting domestic buyers from digital reporting of received invoices until 1 July 2030. The government also opened voluntary participation to entrepreneurs and is developing a certified digital postman framework.

Portugal's Social Democratic Party has proposed a legislative change that would retroactively apply a 6% VAT rate to urban rehabilitation works in designated Urban Rehabilitation Areas, regardless of whether an approved Urban Rehabilitation Operation exists. The measure would override the current tax authority interpretation that requires an approved operation, potentially allowing construction companies to challenge past assessments and recover overpaid VAT. If passed, the 6% rate would apply to projects carried out since 2008.

HM Revenue & Customs has introduced a temporary reduced VAT rate of 5% for qualifying children's meals, tickets and family attractions. The rate applies from 25 June 2026 until 1 September 2026. After that, the standard rate will resume.

Latvia will introduce a temporary 12% VAT rate on essential food products from 1 July 2026, while the standard rate remains 21% and a 5% super‑reduced rate applies to specific categories. Businesses must update invoicing, ERP, and VAT return processes before the effective date to avoid compliance issues.

EU introduces a €3 flat customs duty per HS6 item on IOSS shipments under €150, removes de minimis exemption, and targets a €2‑€3 per package handling fee, affecting cross‑border merchants from July 1, 2026.

Azerbaijan introduces mandatory VAT registration for non‑resident digital service providers exceeding a USD 10,000 B2C threshold, effective 1 September 2026, with a new online portal and a shift from automatic withholding to provider responsibility.

Poland has approved a comprehensive VAT reform package that introduces a new warehousing regime, expands 0% VAT for import‑related services, and completes the rollout of the KSeF e‑invoicing system for most businesses as of 1 April 2026. The package also includes five‑year VAT status checks, updates to energy and agriculture VAT rules, and a digital tax‑free shopping process for tourists. VAT‑registered businesses should review the changes ahead of their expected implementation later this year.

Botswana will enforce VAT collection on non‑resident digital services from 1 June 2026. The 14 % rate applies to B2C supplies, while B2B services are subject to reverse charge. Non‑resident providers must register if turnover exceeds BWP 500,000 and appoint a local agent, filing quarterly returns.