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Musicians have not been granted exemption for short business trips to the EU under the Brexit deal.
What will this mean in terms of extra red tape and costs for touring bands? Let’s look at a typical 5-piece grassroots band going to the EU.
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What will this mean in terms of extra red tape and costs for touring bands? Let’s look at a typical 5-piece grassroots band going to the EU.
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The band will visit France, Germany & Belgium for some festival dates and club gigs over 3 weeks. From 1 January UK citizens are considered as third-country nationals and have to meet the requirements of each member state.
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Currently France and Germany do not require visas to work for less than 90 days, but you must prove that you have funds to support yourself. In France that is €65/day if hotels are booked & Germany €45/day ( http://tinyurl.com/yblarwwj ) That’s (€65 x 7) + (€45 x 7) x 5 = €3850
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In Belgium performing artists who made < €35,761 in 2020 need a work permit. The promoter has to apply (as the employer); each band member needs a medical certificate in French/ Dutch ( http://tinyurl.com/ycjxzy7v ). Proof of funds required at €45/day. So €45 x 7 x 5 = €315
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Passports now need to be valid for at least 6 months. As the pandemic is pushing back festivals and indoor gigs further and further the band will all need new passports when they can travel to the EU.
That’s 5 x £75 = £375
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That’s 5 x £75 = £375
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The EHIC card which gave reciprocal rights to free health care in the EU is no longer valid, so full health insurance is now required. Business travel insurance may also be required. Based on 5 x 24-26 year olds with no medical conditions that starts at around £150 for 31 days
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The band will travel in their van with a trailer attached: both now require green cards as proof of insurance. These must be physical copies which can take 6 weeks to arrive if the insurer doesn’t have the option to print at home ( http://tinyurl.com/y8cbpbd8 )
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The guitarist has an acoustic guitar with a Brazilian rosewood fretboard. Rosewood is on the CITES list, so a permit is required to take it across borders. This is free and should take 15 days; but CITES material can only pass through certain UK ports ( http://tinyurl.com/yb8j7dyt )
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In order to take goods temporarily out of the UK into the EU the band now need to obtain an ATA Carnet. Every item of equipment must be listed (with serial numbers, weight and value) otherwise customs duty would be payable ( http://tinyurl.com/yb2yh9hv ).
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A Carnet costs £360 and is valid for 1 year. You cannot add items to an existing carnet; a new one has to be purchased ( http://tinyurl.com/ybkbdwcl )
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A security deposit is required for each Carnet to the value of the duty & taxes payable if the terms are broken. Import of musical instruments into the EU is charged at 40% ( http://tinyurl.com/ycw679uo ). For £5,000 of gear that’s a deposit of £2,000 in cash or bank guarantee
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The band want to sell merch at their gigs. They will have to obtain an EORI number ( http://tinyurl.com/y3wj9zhf ) & complete a customs declaration at the UK port of departure. They will also have to pay VAT on any sales, as this counts supply of goods ( http://tinyurl.com/ybgvf9oe )
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The band want to post updates on their tour to social media; but they need to keep an eye on roaming charges as free roaming in no longer guaranteed. They receive a warning once charges hit £45; after that they have to opt in to spend more on internet charges.
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These charges and paperwork are IN ADDITION to the normal costs of touring (transport, fuel, accommodation, food) which are already so high that bands are lucky to break even. UK grassroots bands will no longer have the chance to grow their audience in the EU and vice versa.
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Please sign the petition https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/563294
