The proposals mean firms will need a licence to operate in the island

The Economic Development Committee has announced plans that it said will control the growth of internet mail order companies based in the UK.

Now any UK-based firm operating part of its internet or mail order business through Jersey will require a licence.

The committee said island-based firms will also require a licence.

Economic benefit

Under European law, retailers that operate outside the EU can sell products valued at less than �18 to customers in member states without charging VAT.

Many UK businesses have taken advantage of the boom in internet shopping and are operating from Jersey.

The committee says its new policy aims to maximise the economic benefit to Jersey-based internet and mail order businesses.

It says it will also limit the growth in the activities of UK-based companies which channel sales of CDs and DVDs through Jersey.

During a UK parliamentary debate in February it was stated that the Treasury is currently losing �80m a year from retailers operating "offshore" and that could soon reach �200m a year.