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17.05.2018
In Belarus, the limits on duty-free import of parcels from abroad may change — in the upward direction, said Dmitry Kovalenok, head of the Main Directorate for Organization of Customs Control of the State Customs Committee, during a direct phone line in the "Rural Newspaper". The representative of the State Customs Committee also spoke about the disadvantages of shopping tours to other countries and how to transport expensive personal belongings across the border.
About increasing the limits on parcels from abroad
The representative of the State Customs Committee was asked whether the norms for duty-free import of goods would change.
— The new decision of the Eurasian Economic Commission, which entered into force, gradually adjusts the norms of duty-free import throughout the union. However, in 2018, the general norms — weighing 50 kilograms and costing 1500 euros (for land transport) and 10,000 (for air transport) — do not change, — Dmitry Kovalenok specified. — From January 1, 2019, the limits for land transport will be reduced to a thousand euros and 50 kilograms. A year later, they will be 750 euros and 35 kilograms. From January 1, 2021, it will be possible to bring goods from abroad duty-free in an amount not exceeding 500 euros and weighing no more than 25 kilograms.
When asked whether Belarus will increase the limit on duty-free import, the representative of the State Customs Committee replied:
— Belarus has the previous norms for importing international parcels. It is possible that they will be revised taking into account the entry into force of the Decision of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission No. 107. The issue is under discussion. No proposals have been received regarding reducing the limits, — Dmitry Kovalenok specified.
In the foreseeable future, the limits on duty-free import of parcels from abroad may also change. Here, for us, citizens of Belarus, there is an obvious plus: in the upward direction, notes the "Rural Newspaper".
It was previously reported that Belarus may raise the limits on international parcels from 22 euros to 200.
About the disadvantages of shopping tours
One of the questions to the representative of the State Customs Committee concerned the purchase of goods abroad on shopping tours. "On the eve of Radunitsa, I got into an unpleasant situation. I bought 20 lamps in Khmelnitsky for my relatives' graves, but they were not allowed into Belarus with this item. I had to leave it. But I'm not breaking anything. The last time I traveled abroad was two years ago. And then such bad luck," said a resident of the Brest region.
— There should not have been any complaints against you. But it is necessary to clarify what other circumstances there were in the case of your crossing. In particular, some citizens who go shopping in neighboring countries can get into a rather unpleasant situation. The minibus is filled with people who import goods for further sale, as well as several citizens who buy only for themselves to «dilute» the volume of goods, — noted Dmitry Kovalenok.
A situation occurs when, within the framework of one vehicle, there are signs of a «commercial» batch of goods. Because of this, it can be returned to the adjacent side. At the same time, conscientious passengers suffer and must make a difficult decision for themselves: either to follow back in this minibus, or to continue moving to Belarus on their own.
— So our reader was set up? — journalists asked the STC representative.
— Perhaps. There is such a problem, and it is difficult to find a definite solution. An organized shop tour carries a certain amount of risk, since an individual citizen indirectly depends on the integrity of other passengers, — said Dmitry Kovalenok.
About carrying expensive personal items across the border
Dmitry Kovalenok was asked whether it is necessary to declare an expensive camera and related equipment when leaving, that is, personal belongings. «I am a photographer from Grodno. I received a business offer to conduct a professional photo shoot abroad. Do I need to declare an expensive camera and related equipment when leaving?» they asked during the phone line.
— I would recommend doing this. Otherwise, upon your return, it may be counted as the cost of imported goods. And if the equipment is expensive, you may also not fit into the limits. You will have to pay a duty if you cannot prove that the camera was previously taken out of the EAEU territory. For example, proof can be purchase receipts, or in the worst case — photos taken in Belarus before traveling abroad. Still, it’s better to worry about the little things in advance, which can later play a decisive role, — said the STC representative.
Dmitry Kovalenok gave advice to those who plan to travel abroad periodically with expensive equipment:
— Fill out the declaration in two copies right away, indicating the serial number of the equipment — phone, camera, laptop, and even the lens, so that each time you leave Belarus you don’t have to fill out a new one, but provide the existing one with a stamp. This will be confirmation that your equipment is already in the database.
In response to the remark that some people try to bring new items under the guise of personal belongings that have been used, the representative of the State Customs Committee replied:
— Do you think it's so easy to deceive a customs officer? You can even tell with a glance which jeans are straight out of the store and which are washed and worn. Often, citizens bring branded items purchased on sale to Belarus. But if there is no receipt or labels, we will assess them at their actual value. And if a citizen cannot stay within the existing limits, then a super-discounted purchase may end up costing them unexpectedly dearly.
Source: www.tut.by
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