Explanatory note

These Regulations, which come into force on 1st January 1990 further amend the Value Added Tax (General) Regulations 1985.

Regulations 3 and 4 amend regulations 53 and 55 to provide revised values of goods that can be purchased under the retail export schemes by Community travellers. They implement the requirements of Articles 6, 7 and 7b of Directive 69/169/EEC (OJ No. L133, 4.6.69, p. 6 (OJ/SE 1969 (I) p. 232)) as amended by Directives 72/230/EEC (OJ No. L139, 17.6.72, p. 28 (OJ/SE 1972 (II) p. 565)), 78/1032/EEC (OJ No. L366, 28.12.78, p.28), 85/348/EEC (OJ No. L183, 16.7.85, p. 24), 88/664/EEC (OJ No. L382, 31.12.88, p. 41) and 89/194/EEC (OJ No. L73, 17.3.89, p. 47). The equivalent of the European Currency Unit in national currency is fixed at the rate obtaining on the first working day in October each year to have effect from 1st January of the following year.

Regulation 5 introduces new forms 4 and 5 to the Schedule. These forms are the VAT return form and the VAT final return form which are required to be furnished by regulation 58.