Press releases

MINSK, 12 April (BelTA) – Goods bought in duty free shops will be included into the calculation of the limit of personal-use goods imported via motorway and rail border checkpoints, Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Belarus Vladimir Orlovsky told media on 12 April, BelTA has learned.

“Goods bought by an individual in a duty free shop will be taken into account in the calculation of the limit of goods for personal use imported via motorway and rail border checkpoints,” said Vladimir Orlovsky.

In his words, there will be no exceptions for separate categories of individuals (except for workers of diplomatic representations and consular establishments).

Vladimir Orlovsky underlined that if an individual imports an item which customs cost exceeds €300 with the total weight of 20kg, it will not be considered as goods for personal use and will be subject to customs declaration. “Such rules are applied if a person cross the border more often than once in three months,” he explained.

Decree No.40 was signed on 11 February 2016 to introduce amendments to Decree No.360 of 21 July 2014 concerning the movement of personal-use goods in Belarus via the customs border of the Customs Union. In line with the decree customs duties are not paid if the cost of personal-use goods with the total weight of up to 10kg delivered by international mail or carrier to an individual staying in the country and (or) imported to the country within a calendar month does not exceed €22. At present the limit amounts make up €200 and 31kg respectively. The decree also introduces amendments to the order of movement of personal-use goods via motorway and rail border checkpoints. The duty free limit of €1.500 and 50kg will stay in place in persons cross the border not more often than once in three months. Otherwise the goods with the total cost exceeding €300 will not be recognized by the customs bodies as personal-use goods and will require customs payments. The decree comes into force on 14 April 2016.