Starting today, that changes for consumers

Starting today, there are some changes for consumers that you should be aware of. From July 2021, for example, it will be particularly important to pay attention to the origin of your parcels ordered online. GIGA has compiled these and other changes for you.

With the new month there are again some changes for consumers and citizens to be prepared for. The new customs regulations for online orders will affect many of them. In addition, the last curtain will fall on many German 3G networks in a few days. Important dates for vaccinations and other visits to the doctor also fall in June. We have kept the overview and put it together for you here:

Duty-free limit for online orders falls

Especially in times of the pandemic, online marketplaces have become indispensable for many people around the world. To be able to order the necessary goods at any time, regardless of where they come from – it couldn’t be easier. From July 1st, the Duty-free limit for international goods from 22 euros previously canceled. Until now, customs duties for goods sent from outside the EU were only due from this amount.

Anyone who will buy online in the future should therefore pay close attention to the country of origin. You can still order goods from Great Britain, the USA or China. But when it comes to delivery, it can be even more expensive than expected. Because the courier services like DHL usually extend the import sales tax – this corresponds to the VAT rate depending on the goods – and then get their expenses back from you. Only for small deliveries of less than 1 euro you do not have to pay the parcel post. The Sample invoice for customs shows: A pack of cable ties for 10 euros from China can cost you a total of 16.90 euros in the end.

Telekom, Vodafone, o2: The end of 3G has begun

A new age is dawning in mobile communications, with the old 3G network is switched off. The UMTS networks of the major mobile phone providers have been facing their end for some time, and this has now come. Telekom will no longer support the 3G cellular standard from June 30th. Vodafone originally wanted to take its time until next summer, but will now switch it off at the same time as Telekom. Customers with old contracts or cell phones that do not support 4G only have a little longer time with O2. The shutdown should be completed here at the beginning of December, but it will start on July 1st. The newer standards are to be used from the network capacities that will become available 4G and 5G benefit.

Online shopping will become more expensive for many buyers from July 1st. It is all the more important to know a few simple tips for saving. You can find them in ours Video:

Vaccination certificate on the smartphone is valid throughout the EU

The starting signal for the will be given on July 1st Vaccination certificate valid throughout the EU via smartphone. Anyone who has complete vaccination protection can then prove this in the EU countries using their smartphone. This should make the vacation much more pleasant for travelers, whether at the airport, in a restaurant or at tourist attractions. As reported by t-online, all Germans with a full vaccination should be able to receive the digital proof by the end of July.

Digital recipe will be tested from July

An initially small change is also on the way from July 1st: The digital prescription is to largely replace the classic recipe slip in the future. If prescription drugs are prescribed, the prescription is sent directly from the doctor to the patient’s smartphone. It is read out in the pharmacy, so there is no need to present a slip of paper. Tests are being carried out in Berlin and Brandenburg, 50 doctor’s practices and 120 pharmacies are taking part, according to t-online. The digital recipe should be valid throughout Germany from 2022.