Royal Dutch Shell plc introduces Scrip Dividend Programme

Under the Programme shareholders can increase their shareholding in Shell by choosing to receive new shares instead of cash dividends if declared by Shell.  Only new A Shares will be issued under the Programme, including to shareholders who currently hold B Shares.
Joining the Programme may offer a tax advantage in some countries  compared with receiving cash dividends. In particular, dividends paid out as shares will not be subject to Dutch dividend withholding tax (currently 15 per cent) and will not generally be taxed on receipt by a UK shareholder or a Dutch corporate shareholder.
Shareholders who elect to join the Programme will increase the number of shares held in Shell without having to buy existing shares in the market, thereby avoiding associated dealing costs.
When the Programme is introduced, the Dividend Reinvestment Plans currently provided by Equiniti and Royal Bank of Scotland N.V. will be withdrawn; the dividend reinvestment feature of the plan currently provided by The Bank of New York Mellon will likewise be withdrawn.  Shareholders who participate in one of these plans will in most cases not automatically be enrolled in the Programme and will in most cases need to elect to join.
Shareholders who do not join the Programme will continue to receive in cash any dividends declared by Shell.