The reason for tightening the limits on duty-free import of goods was a significant increase in the volume of import of goods on a commercial scale to individuals without paying customs duties. Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Belarus Vladimir Orlovsky spoke about this in the “Contours” program on the ONT TV channel, TUT.BY reports. The representative of the State Customs Committee provided statistics on the volume of international postal items imported into Belarus.
“90% of Belarusians do not receive parcels. More than 250 thousand Belarusians received about 10 parcels a year, and 2.5 thousand Belarusians received more than 100,” he noted.Orlovsky also emphasized that the limit of “22 euros for parcels, 300 for imports” is similar to the norm applied in a number of EU member states.
“This is an established practice in the European Union. Most EU countries have established standards of 22 euros for duty-free import of goods transported by international postal mail. These are countries such as Germany, Italy, Czech Republic. Moreover, there are stricter standards - in China only 7 euros. In some countries - France, Sweden - there is no duty-free import at all; any parcel implies payment of tax,” he emphasized.The deputy chairman of the State Border Committee also announced the date when Presidential Decree No. 40 of February 11, 2016 will come into force.
“This will happen on April 14 this year,” he said. He noted that the two-month period between the publication of the decree and its entry into force was made so that Belarusians could receive the ordered goods without paying duties.Let us remind you that Decree No. 40 established a reduction in the rate of duty-free import of goods for personal use sent in international mail and (or) express cargo to one recipient, from 200 euros and 31 kg to 22 euros and 10 kg per calendar month. The decree also determines that if goods are imported into Belarus more than once every three months, goods costing more than 300 euros and (or) weighing more than 20 kg will not be classified as goods for personal use. At the same time, the norms for duty-free import of goods of 1,500 euros and 50 kg continue to apply. At the same time, the popular Russian site ShopFans offered Belarusians a Moscow address to order goods from the Internet (from China, Europe, the USA, etc.) without paying duty in the amount of up to 1000 euros. The service for receiving/processing orders is 3-5 dollars, depending on weight, and then you will need to pay for delivery to Minsk.
The cost of delivery from Moscow to Minsk depends on weight: delivery of a parcel weighing 0-7.5 kg will cost 4-20 dollars, up to 15 kg - 21-32 dollars, up to 22.5 kg - 33-43 dollars, 22.5- 30 kg – 43-50 dollars. The limit on the cost/weight of parcels is 1000 euros/31 kilograms.
Now in 2020, the so-called tax on parcels from China and other countries to Belarus works clearly and is 100% efficient. The only good news is that Alexander Lukashenko issued decree No. 490 “On customs regulation,” which slightly improved the situation for shopaholics.
The new law increases the monthly norm for duty-free import of goods into Belarus for personal use in international postal items from 22 euros and 10 kg to 200 euros and 31 kg (in total), while maintaining the one-time norm for one item in the amount of 22 euros and 10 kg.
So how much can I buy from abroad?
In simple words: the one-time limit for one parcel remains the same - up to 22 euros!!! But in total, you can order 200 euros worth of such parcels in a month without consequences.
Orders that do not meet the established limit are not prohibited, but the amount exceeding this limit is subject to customs tax. In addition, it will become mandatory to pay a fixed customs fee of 10 Belarusian rubles.
What will happen to me if I exceeded the order limits from AliExpress and other foreign stores?
Payments for parcels to individuals that exceed the total rate of 200 euros per month are considered commercial consignments of goods and are therefore subject to a customs duty of 15% of the excess price.
And let's not get confused! Additionally, you must pay customs duty. Its value depends on the type of product. For example, for a telephone you need to pay an additional 10 rubles (and for most of your orders the additional payment will be exactly that).
Parcel duty calculator
Our customs duties calculator for parcels will easily help you calculate the amount of tax per shipment of 22 euros and 10 kg (not to be confused with the new total monthly limit of 200 euros).
Just indicate the price for the parcel and its weight. Please note that all calculations are provided for informational purposes only.
Also, the calculation of customs tax can be easily calculated manually without a calculator for parcels from abroad:
- For example, the price of the parcel: 150 euros and weight: 5 kg (no more than 10 kg);
- Excess: 150 – 22 = 128 euros;
- 15% of the amount received is 19.2 euros;
- Customs duty – 10 Belarusian rubles;
- The total duty on the parcel will be: 19.2 + 4.3 (approximately 10 Belarusian rubles) = 23.5 euros.
If there is an excess in weight, and not in cost, it will be even easier to calculate: 2 euros per 1 kg in excess of 10 allowed. If both limits are exceeded (both in value and weight), then you will need to pay a larger amount.
All these restrictions apply to any foreign online stores: Aliexpress, EBay, ASOS, Amazon, iHerb, Shein and many others.
Where and how to pay tax on parcels in Belarus?
You can check with your postal operator about customs duties. The fee is paid at the delivery point of the RUE "Belpochta". At the same time, our postal operator will also charge money for its “exclusive” services in the form of a postal fee (about 5 Belarusian rubles).
Limits and duties on parcels in Belarus are a kind of protection domestic market from the cheapest imports from China, the USA and other countries. Plus a method of taxation of citizens who purchase goods for commercial purposes.
These limits are directed against foreign online stores, so that ordering from Aliexpress to Belarus would be unprofitable. Moreover, all parcels from foreign countries are in this situation (even gifts from relatives from abroad are subject to tax).
Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich spoke about the harm of foreign mail to the country's economy and that this is illegal enrichment. Such statements met with a lot of criticism, because most imported products are not produced or even sold in Belarus.
In the end, we remembered the “transparency” of internal borders Customs Union. Recipients of commercial goods or expensive parcels will order them to Russia or another CU country and pay for shipping to Belarus.
We warn you that deliberately reducing the cost of a parcel is a thankless task. Customs owns the price range of many popular products!
How to track a parcel from China (and other countries) to Belarus? There is such an opportunity on the official website of Belposhta.
All registered foreign and local postal items tracked using a special tracking number.
Postal code markings:
- R-BY (Rx012345675BY) – small correspondence;
- C—BY (Cx012345675BY) – standard package;
- E-BY (Ex012345675BY) – international express correspondence EMS;
- A—BY (Ax012345675BY) – our internal mail RB.
It is very easy to track your parcel on the Belposhta website. Either immediately follow this link: https://webservices.belpost.by/searchRu.aspx, or find the item “Mail tracking” in the left menu and click on it.
On the page that opens there is a form for entering the parcel departure number. We enter the track number received on the website of a foreign or local online store and click the “Search” button.
When do you need to pay the duty?
If the status of the parcel contains the inscription “For transfer to customs, you need to clarify the data,” you will have to indicate detailed information in the “Form to fill out” field, otherwise the shipment will be sent back to the seller. Customs needs this data when recording shipments received by an individual from abroad within a month within the limit of 200 euros.
Information about customs checks and fee charges (15% of exceeding the limit plus 10 Belarusian rubles for documentation) will be available on a new page.
Watch the video below: How are parcels from abroad checked?
Paid parcel storage
It is worth remembering that Belposhta branches charge a storage fee. international shipments. Information about this was published on their official website.
If any international parcel is not claimed for more than 7 calendar days at Belposhta branches, you need to pay 0.36 BYN. rubles for each day of delay.
As you know, duty-free import of parcels from abroad to Belarus is limited to a one-time rate of 22 euros and 10 kg per shipment. And in total per month up to 200 euros and 31 kg.
There are 3 popular options to avoid this limit.
1. Ask the seller to indicate a lower price for goods
You can just come to an agreement. And the sender will indicate the lowest price for the product. For example, 20 dollars for a Chinese phone with a real cost of $150.
But keep in mind that customs officers evaluate the parcel in their own way. Calculate average price goods in the country from which the parcel arrived, and display the current price tag. In this case, an examination will be appointed.
And after it, you will still have to pay customs duties for parcels to Belarus from the same AliExpress or American iHerb. But to do this, they will have to open each package, which will delay processing for years to come. Surely no one will do that!
2. Order parcels for friends in another country
You can also consider an order for a resident (relative or friend) of the Customs Union country (,), who will send it to you from there. And these costs will be much lower than the duty.
Or order a parcel to Russian branch“on demand” somewhere in the border zone of the Smolensk or Bryansk region. Thus, you can bypass the Belarusian limit. A very popular method especially among those who live near Russia.
3. Mail Forwarding came to Belarus together with AlmostPochta
Mail Forwarding (or “Your address abroad”, hereinafter abbreviated as MF) is a service of using the warehouse address of an intermediary company when making a purchase abroad yourself. This is paid, but the price is much less than the fee. Please note that the address is chosen in the countries of the Customs Union in order to avoid paying tax.
Before you use one of the tips, remember a simple rule: any attempt to circumvent the law can result in trouble.
The best online stores with delivery to Belarus
These are the best shopping malls you don't have to worry about! Your parcels will definitely arrive, there will be no fraud with bank cards and unexpected additional fees during checkout.
- Aliexpress.com is the most popular online store among Belarusians! People can order clothes, shoes, gadgets, cosmetics, perfumes, toys, jewelry, dishes, household goods and thousands of other items from Aliexpress. Aliexpress brings together hundreds of thousands of sellers from different corners China and other countries, which creates insane competition with very low prices for all goods. There are both paid and free AliExpress delivery to Belarus, on average 2-4 weeks.
- iHerb.com is the most popular online store from the USA, specializing in environmentally friendly products, vitamins and organic cosmetics of impeccable quality. Regular discounts and the absence of intermediaries during purchases make prices for many goods significantly lower than in local stores. iHerb delivers orders all over the world, including Belarus. Read more about ordering on iHerb.
- Shein.com
- one of the world's leading online stores fashionable clothes and accessories. Shein is an incredible find for girls! Fashionable dresses, tops, skirts, jeans, jewelry - your eyes will run wild at the variety of styles, trends, colors and original design solutions. Delivery from the Shein store to Belarus is very fast and economical. See all the details on the official website in Russian. - eBay.com
is a major global online auction with tens of millions of simultaneously auctioned lots in more than 3 thousand categories. eBay has about thirty branches around the world. Strength site - eBay purchase protection system with payment via PayPal. The buyer will be able to get a refund for everything, including shipping, if the item was received in poor condition. - Amazon.com
is the largest hypermarket offering absolutely everything with worldwide delivery from the USA. In the Amazon online store you can buy both food products and industrial machines for production. Belarusians order e-books Kindle, small household appliances, children's toys, food, household goods, Sports Equipment and much more.
What do we have? Top 10 popular Belarusian online stores
Among the well-known Belarusian hypermarkets operating online, we can highlight several of the most reliable and time-tested ones. They offer quality goods and available payment methods without additional fees and customs obligations.
Lamoda is one of popular stores clothing and footwear in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. The range of products is quite wide - outerwear, underwear, blouses, tops, skirts, trousers, dresses, shoes and much more. The store's catalogs present various collections of inexpensive and premium brand brands. Lamoda offers its customers constant discounts and sends many promotional codes that pleasantly reduce the prices of goods. Free shipping with trying on at home up to 7 items of goods.- – hypermarket of equipment, electronics, goods for auto, garden and personal hygiene. It has been operating on the Belarusian market for 15 years. Often products can be purchased at attractive discounts. 21st Century provides its clients with a wide range of payment options - cash, non-cash, bank cards and installment cards. Delivery of goods within Belarus is free for orders over 75 rubles. For a smaller purchase amount, the goods will be delivered for a fee, or you can pick them up for free from a pick-up point.
5 Element is a leading home appliances and electronics store with wide range goods. For regular customers it will be interesting bonus program. The store offers online payment by bank cards, through the ERIP system, cash upon delivery or pickup. You can also purchase in installments or on credit. Goods over 50 rubles, ordered online or by phone, will be delivered free of charge throughout Belarus, or it can be picked up in one of the many offline stores of the 5 Element network.
Kit.by is a large online store of plumbing and related products: bathroom furniture, kitchen products, tiles. There is a nice bonus program. You can pay for the ordered goods different ways: online, through ERIP, by bank transfer, in cash courier delivery, as well as bank installment cards. Orders for a large amount are delivered free of charge, for a small amount - for a fee, there is the possibility of self-pickup in Minsk.
Xiaomi Belarus is a mono-brand online store of popular Chinese trademark. It presents a fairly modest assortment of fashionable gadgets, accessories and other Xiaomi products. The ordered product can be paid in various ways - cash, online by bank card or some installment cards, through ERIP and from a mobile phone account. You can pick up your order at a pick-up point, or from a courier - with paid or free delivery.
i-Store is the only official partner Apple in Belarus with Apple Premium Reseller status. By low prices you can buy an iPhone, Mac computer or iPad tablet, as well as other Apple equipment and accessories for it. Pickup is free from the i-Store store (Minsk, Lenin St., 5 or Pobediteley Ave., 9 or Pritytskogo St., 156), own delivery by courier in Minsk or delivery throughout Belarus by Autolight Express service.
On April 14, Decree No. 40 came into force in Belarus. Now Belarusians will be able to receive parcels worth up to €22 and weighing up to 10 kilograms per month without paying duty. The new limits for those who often travel abroad will be €300 and 20 kilograms. More than three weeks ago, the State Customs Committee answered questions from Onliner.by readers. On the day the decree came into force, we decided to repeat this material.
Parcels
Transporting goods across the border
How will customs determine the value of parcels?
Before answering questions about determining the cost of parcels, the State Customs Committee noted that Decree No. 40 did not change anything in terms of determining the customs value of imported goods.
- We emphasize that these norms are still in effect today,- noted customs officers.
How is the State Customs Committee going to determine the cost of parcels? Will you need to provide some information about the actual amount of the purchase or will you be tracking online payments? For example, I ordered from AliExpress products$2-3 each. When I received the parcel, the sticker that was on the package indicated the amount of $10 (apparently, this already includes duties and shipping by the seller), and I find out this final amount only when I receive the parcel, and not when ordering.
The customs value is calculated based on the documents accompanying the parcel, as well as the declared value of the international postal item (IPO), which is indicated by the sender in the documents established by the acts of the Universal Postal Union. If the customs value is not indicated or if the customs authority has reasonable grounds to believe that the submitted documents and (or) information are not reliable, executive customs authority, guided by paragraph 2 of Article 361 Customs Code of the Customs Union (CU CU), determines the customs value of goods on the basis of price information available to the customs authority for similar goods, including on the basis of data indicated in catalogs foreign companies, carrying out retail sales similar goods.
The promotional item was purchased for €20. The parcel arrived in two weeks, a month, and this product already costs €35 on the website. How will customs assess the value? What facts must be presented?
On AliExpress, for example, the cost of the same product can fluctuate greatly. I recently purchased an item that cost $22. But you can find the same one for $25 or even $40. Question: Will the inspector believe my price of $22 or will he just point to the first one he comes across? Or will he go to the manufacturer’s website, where the price may even be indicated at $50? (Eugene)
An individual has the right to prove the accuracy of the information submitted to determine the customs value. To do this, he must provide documents confirming the declared value (contract, specification, invoice, sales receipt, payment receipt, etc.).
If you disagree with the customs value determined by the customs authority for calculating customs payments, the recipient of the goods has the right to provide the customs authority with documents on the basis of which the customs value of the goods being sent can be determined (contract, specification, invoice, sales receipt, payment receipt, etc. Further).
As additional documents The customs authority may accept online catalogs with publicly posted information on the cost of goods being sent, printouts of bank transfer pages, etc.
And if I don’t agree with the cost of the parcel, can I challenge it?
If, when issuing an MPO, the cost and weight limits were not exceeded and this MPO was issued by the postal operator to the recipient, the customs value of such goods cannot subsequently be revised.
But if the recipient does not agree with the cost indicated by the sender, he has the right not to receive such IPO and inform the postal operator about the need to return it to the place (institution) of international postal exchange where the issue took place. After this, the recipient can contact the customs authority in writing and attach original documents confirming the value of the goods being sent.
What import standards will apply to international mail ordered before the adoption of Decree No. 40, but arriving in the Republic of Belarus after entry into force new edition Decree No. 360?
The date of registration of documents submitted in accordance with customs legislation EAEU for placing such goods in temporary storage.
Thus, the norms of Decree No. 40 will apply to international mail placed in temporary storage since April 14, 2016.
For goods imported into the IPO and placed in temporary storage until April 13 (inclusive), duty-free import rates of €200 and 31 kilograms are applied.
If the amount is indicated in Russian rubles, then at what rate will the conversion into euros be carried out? Will it be necessary to pay duty if during the delivery of the goods the amount exceeded the limit due to the growth of the Russian ruble against the euro? (Kristina Malinovskaya)
The exchange rates of the US dollar and euro to the currency of the EAEU member state are calculated on the day of registration of the customs receipt order.
Will duties be charged on parcels that were sent, for example, in March, but will arrive after April 14? (Vadim)
Yes, they will, if the customs value of the goods sent exceeds the duty-free import standards established by Decree No. 40.
Is it possible to order parcels to one address, but for several family members?
Good afternoon. A few questions for now. Will it be considered exceeding the limit if I order goods from China, paying for it with my card, to the same address for each family member: son (6 years old), mother, me. Can you order €22 per month for each of them?
The specified norm is calculated for each recipient upon receipt of goods at his address.
Is it possible to order several parcels per month duty-free for one person, so that the total amount is no more than €22 per month, or will it be possible to order only one parcel? Thank you in advance. (Olga Belskaya)
You can order several parcels if the total limits on cost (€22) and weight (10 kilograms) are not exceeded.
I ordered goods for $100 in January (when I was not aware of the tax). The goods took a long time to arrive, got to customs - and there were new limits. Is it possible to refuse the goods and not pay? (Alyaksey)
In case of refusal to receive the goods, the goods will be sent back; in this case, customs duties will not be payable.
Do I need to pay duty on gifts?
How will parcels (gifts) from abroad (USA) from close relatives be taxed? How much can gifts be sent to them and how often? (Anatoly Shumko)
I thought about sending parcels to my mother and sister, since you can’t buy much from us. How will this law work here if it is my help? (Vadim)
Decree No. 40 does not provide for any specifics (separate norms) for sending this category of goods (gifts). If the total amount exceeds the equivalent of €22 and the total weight of 10 kilograms, they will be subject to customs duties at the rate of 30% of the customs value in part of the excess, but not less than €4 per 1 kilogram.
How will duties be calculated if limits are exceeded?
Goods whose customs value exceeds €22 and/or whose weight exceeds 10 kilograms will be subject to customs duties. For example, on Amazon.com I ordered an external WD hard drive costing $90 (or €82) - a little more than 4 times the excess. What duty will have to be paid in this case? (Lesha Gorenkov)
In relation to goods for personal use sent to the MPO and or delivered by the carrier during a calendar month to the address of the individual recipient of the goods, to the extent that duty-free import standards established by Decree No. 40 are exceeded, customs payments will be subject to payment at the rate of 30% of the customs value of the goods, but not less than €4 per 1 kilogram.
If the cost of the goods sent to the MPO for personal use is $90 (which is equivalent to €82) and the weight does not exceed 10 kilograms and no other goods were sent to the address of this individual during the calendar month, then the amount of customs duties payable will be calculated as follows : (€82 − €22) × 30% + €5 (customs fee for customs operations) - and will be €23.
The product costs $34, and shipping from the USA is $98. Weight - 8 kilograms. How much will the duty be charged? (Yuri Sobol)
In accordance with part two of paragraph 1 of Article 361 of the Customs Code of the Customs Union, when importing goods for personal use by individuals into the customs territory of the EAEU, the customs value of goods does not include the costs of transporting and insuring goods before their arrival and after their arrival in such territory.
The amount of customs duties payable will be €8.1: ($34 × 20,980 (dollar to Belarusian ruble exchange rate) / 22,100 (Belarusian ruble to euro exchange rate)) − €22) × 30% + €5 (customs duty) = € 8.09.
How are additional duties assessed on multiple parcels? For example: three parcels were ordered with an equivalent cost of €22, €5 and €1. They all come at different times, but in the same month. We pick up the parcel for €22 without any problems. What will happen to the rest? What duties and fees will I have to pay when receiving the remaining two? Specifically, I am interested in the issue of the customs duty of €5 and payment for postal services in this regard. (Savchenko Evgeniy)
Let's assume that all three parcels weigh up to 10 kilograms. Following the duty-free issue of an IGO valued at €22, subsequent IGOs received by the same individual are subject to payment customs duties and customs fees for customs operations upon release of each MPO.
In relation to the second MPO, customs duties in the amount of €6.5 will be payable: €5 (customs value of goods) × 30% + €5 (customs duty).
The amount of customs duties in relation to the third MPO will be €5.3: €1 × 30% + €5.
Does the €22 amount include delivery costs (for example, the product itself costs €2, and the shipping cost (EMS to Belarus) costs €35)?
No, shipping costs are not included.
Where can I pay duties and taxes on parcels?
Hello, please ask the State Customs Committee a question: how to pay the duty? That is, will it be possible to pay directly at the post office or will I have to go somewhere to do this? And what should those who live not in Minsk do?
Customs duties are payable by the recipient in post office, in which the MPO will be issued. The recipient is informed of the need to pay customs duties by the postal operator.
How do I know that customs has a package for me (no tracking number)? Is there an option to view it somewhere on the Internet by phone number and address?
To obtain information about the delivery of MPO to the Republic of Belarus, its presentation to the customs authority, the number of MPO received by the recipient during a calendar month, their cost and weight, you must contact the national postal operator - RUE Belpochta.
It turns out that having ordered one parcel worth €22, I will only be able to receive the next one in a month. But how do I know how long the package will take? She can be in Minsk either in a week or in a month or more. What if another package of similar value arrives, but ordered a month later? Pay a fee? (Maxim Zelkowski)
Decree No. 360 determines that in order to monitor compliance with the norms for the import of goods sent to MPOs that are exempt from customs duties, customs authorities take into account the date of registration of MPOs in a temporary storage warehouse.
Do I need to pay duties on parcels from Russia and Kazakhstan?
Do these limits apply to parcels from the SES countries - Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan (are the SES countries considered abroad)? (Denis Gulin)
It should be assumed that your question concerns IGOs sent between member states of the EAEU, which currently includes the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation.
In this case, such MPOs are considered intra-Union postal items, are not subject to customs control, and customs operations are not carried out in relation to them. And no customs duties are paid.
What is the limit on packages for minors?
Please clarify the possibility of receiving parcels with an estimated value of up to €22 and weighing up to 10 kilograms by minor citizens of the Republic of Belarus. Are they the rightful recipients? If not, please clarify this issue from the point of view of the Tax Code of the Republic of Belarus. What will happen to shipments sent to them? Which persons will be authorized to make additional payments if such payments are assessed by the customs authorities of Belarus for parcels sent to children? (Vereshchagin P. A.)
These persons may act as recipients of goods sent to the MPO. The rate of duty-free import of goods will be calculated for each recipient upon receipt of goods at his address.
In accordance with paragraph four of part three of paragraph 3 of Article 8 of the Agreement on the procedure for the movement by individuals of goods for personal use across the customs border of the Customs Union and the performance of customs operations related to their release, dated June 18, 2010, by the declarant of goods for personal use sent to the MPO, the sender acts.
At the same time, Article 316 of the Customs Code of the Customs Union does not determine who is obliged to make customs payments in respect of goods sent to the MPO. In connection with the above, a person who has the right to receive such an MPO has the right to make customs payments assessed by the customs authority.
How to transport used items across the border?
If I travel abroad more than once every three months with a laptop worth at least €300, do I need to declare it every time? That is, every time you go through a crowded red corridor? Or will I need to somehow prove to the customs officer upon returning home that this laptop belongs to me and I did not buy it abroad? (Vitaly)
What is the algorithm for importing/exporting personal belongings? (I suspect that there is nothing in the laws about the purpose of the trip.) Do you have to declare all your clothes, camera, laptop every time you leave the Republic of Belarus? It’s just that with a limit of 20 kilograms it’s more or less clear, but the cost is €300... Wouldn’t it turn out that some customs officer would get the idea that my things (even used ones) are worth more in total? (Daria)
Approaches to evaluating new and used goods have not changed. The restrictions imposed by Decree No. 40 do not apply to used goods imported back in an unchanged condition (except for normal wear and tear) after export, if their value does not exceed €1,500 and the total weight does not exceed 50 kilograms.
If a declaration was made upon departure, a passenger document may be provided. customs declaration, filled out upon export. If declaration was not made upon departure, then as part of customs control.
I live permanently in Lithuania and have a temporary residence permit. However, it will soon end, and I will need to return to Belarus. Over all the years that I have lived abroad, I have become “overgrown” with things, including expensive equipment. How can I transport all this painlessly for my budget?
Benefits for persons returning (relocating) to a permanent place of residence in the Republic of Belarus are valid subject to the conditions stipulated by the international treaty of the Republic of Belarus. Regulatory acts Questions regarding this are posted on the State Customs Committee website.
Decree No. 40 does not apply to this category of persons.
I travel often and without making purchases, why can’t I buy €1500 later?
Let's say I traveled abroad a week ago or 15 times over the past three months, but did not import anything. Why should I be subject to the €300 and 20 kilogram limits? After all, the decree clearly states that goods will not be classified as goods for personal use if they were imported more than once every three calendar months. (Dmitry Akhrem)
When applying the norms of Decree No. 40, customs officers will take into account every crossing by an individual of the Belarusian section of the external border of the EAEU (with the exception of air transport), and not the importation of goods.
When does the three month countdown begin when crossing the border?
The countdown of three months will begin after trips from April 14, or, if you returned to Belarus on March 30, and then wanted to go on April 15, will the countdown begin from March 30? (Alexander Alekseychuk)
The provisions of Decree No. 40 apply from 04/14/2016. The countdown of three calendar months begins from this date.
For example, in the case of an individual importing goods for personal use on 04/14/2016, the cost and weight characteristics for classifying goods as goods for personal use (€300 and 20 kilograms) will not apply when importing goods from 07/01/2016.
When can you exceed the €300 and 20 kilogram limits? And are there any exceptions?
Can I bring a purchase from abroad worth more than €300 if I have to travel there weekly for work (driver on international routes)?
If a person works abroad and crosses it often, it turns out that he will not be able to bring himself some household appliances without customs duties?
Will there be exceptions for those who frequently travel abroad for work? (Anastasia)
Decree No. 40 does not regulate legal relations related to the departure of persons, the purpose or duration of such departure. Regardless of the reason for which a citizen goes abroad (business trip, travel, visiting relatives, etc.), when importing goods more than once every three months, goods for personal use will be classified as goods worth no more than €300 and weighing no more than 20 kilograms.
These standards do not include used goods that were previously exported and imported back by citizens in an unchanged condition (for example, Cell phones, cameras, tablets, laptops, etc.) necessary for staying abroad.
At the same time, the movement of goods by air is not taken into account by customs authorities for the purposes of applying the decree.
How will they check if the €300 limit is exceeded by those who travel abroad more than three times a month?
My mother lives in Ukraine (Kyiv region), we visit her as a family at least twice a month. Well, we’re taking some food back to Gomel. So the question is: I travel more than once a quarter. Accordingly, I can carry goods weighing no more than 20 kilograms and costing no more than €300. What should I do if during the season I bring 10 kilograms of cherries, 10 kilograms of sweet cherries and 2 kilograms of beets? How will customs weigh this? What will you have to pay? And how much will the customs clearance time increase if customs officers now check a car for about 15 minutes? And if I travel by train, how will they check in this case? Am I going to be thrown out or sent back because of my superiority? Please clarify. Thank you.
If you import several units of goods, including types of food products, then you will independently determine among them the goods (food products), the total customs value and (or) weight of which does not exceed €300 and 20 kilograms. In this case, since the total weight of cherries, cherries and beets is 22 kilograms, you yourself will determine what is transported in excess.
The time spent by the inspector on customs control (inspection (inspection), weighing and other procedures) depends on the amount of goods being moved and the willingness of the person to assist (unload, open packaging, give explanations, and so on) in carrying out the necessary forms of control.
The forms of customs control and the procedure for conducting customs control have not changed.
If I transport food, powders, clothes along the green corridor, and the total weight turns out to be more than 20 kilograms, what will happen in this case? Surcharge? Will they not direct you through the red corridor?
If an individual entering through the customs border of the EAEU in the Republic of Belarus is found to have goods in quantities exceeding the import norm after crossing the line indicating the departure (exit) from the green corridor, the actions of such a person are considered to be signs of an administrative offense provided for in Article 14.5 of the Code of Administrative Offences. (non-declaration of goods). A transfer from the green to the red corridor is not provided for by law.
Will minors be taken into account when transporting goods across the border?
Will minors be taken into account when transporting goods across the border? For example, we are traveling as a family of five: two adults and three children (2, 7 and 10 years old). Will duty-free import be valid for goods worth €1,500 and 100 kilograms, or €600 and 40 kilograms? (Dmitry Brukhanchik)
Is it possible to declare goods for minor children?
Duty-free import rules apply to goods regardless of the age of the person transporting them. The age of a citizen is taken into account only when moving alcoholic products, beer and tobacco products. It should be noted that alcohol and tobacco products Only adult citizens can import.
Customs declaration of goods for a person under sixteen years of age is carried out by the person accompanying him (one of the parents, adoptive parent, guardian or trustee of this person, another person accompanying him or a representative of the carrier in the absence of accompanying persons, and in case of organized departure (entry) of a group of minors persons unaccompanied by parents, adoptive parents, guardians or trustees, other persons - by a group leader or a representative of the carrier).
Will the standards apply to the machine or to the person? If, for example, the situation is this: my sister travels less than once a month, and I travel more than once a month in the same car?
Duty-free import rules apply to goods transported by a specific citizen, and not by a vehicle.
Is it possible to carry one thing for two?
If two people cross the border in a car, is it possible to transport a TV worth €600, that is, €300 for each person? (Natalia Shumilova)
It should be understood that, in accordance with the law, one unit (set) of goods can be transported by only one person, that is, in this case it will be considered that one TV is imported by one person.
Will these restrictions not apply if there was a border crossing at the airport, and then the person went by car or train to Lithuania before the end of three months?
Will the restrictions introduced by the decree (€300, 20 kilograms) apply if for the first time in for a long time I cross the border of Belarus by car, and before that I often (including less than three months ago) crossed the border by plane? (Dmitry Zikretsky)
In accordance with part one of subclause 1.18 of clause 1 of Decree No. 360 (as amended by Decree No. 40), goods for personal use do not include goods imported across the customs border of the EAEU in the Republic of Belarus by individuals in accompanied and unaccompanied baggage more than once every three calendar months , if the customs value of such goods exceeds the equivalent of €300 and (or) the total weight exceeds 20 kilograms.
Thus, for customs purposes, information on the crossing by individuals customs border in the Republic of Belarus (upon entering the territory of the Republic of Belarus). At the same time, the number of crossings by an individual of the customs border by air, as well as at checkpoints through the “non-Belarusian” section of the customs border of the EAEU for these purposes is not taken into account.
How to bring things through Russia?
How to properly arrange transportation of goods purchased in the Kaliningrad region if you are moving by land transport in transit through Lithuania/Poland? If I understand correctly, then it should not fall under the scope of the decree.
How to pay duties?
Will products and powders also fall under the limit of no more than 20 kilograms? How will the products be priced? What if you are overweight? How to pay extra?
Yes, the norms of Decree No. 360 (as amended by Decree No. 40) apply to these categories of goods. The procedure for evaluating new and used goods has not changed.
The customs value of goods for personal use is determined in accordance with Article 361 of the Customs Code of the Customs Union. Goods exceeding the cost and (or) weight characteristics specified in the above decree are subject to customs declaration and are subject to customs procedures provided for by the Customs Code of the Customs Union, using a goods declaration with payment of due customs duties and taxes.
For several weeks now, passions for new legislation in the field of postal items have not subsided on the Internet (and not only on it).
Our “value” limit for international parcels was cut almost 10 times. Now, for those parcels that “cost” more than 22 euros and weigh more than 10 kilograms, you will have to pay a duty of 30 percent. Moreover, the total cost and weight are calculated for a month, and there is no gradation among the parcels.
That is, it doesn’t matter at all whether the goods arrived were ordered from foreign stores, or gifts from relatives, friends and other acquaintances. The same rules for everyone.
An exception is the EAEU countries (Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan): in relation to parcels received from there, customs control is not implemented at all.
What is the reason for such a sharp restriction?
Official government representatives talk about the need to fight illegal sellers who receive large quantities of goods not for personal use, but for sale.
Vladimir Orlovsky Photo: belta.by
Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee Vladimir Orlovsky gives the following figures as an example:
“Last year, over 250 thousand citizens of Belarus received from 10 to 100 or more parcels through MPO from online stores. The analysis showed that these goods were imported for commercial use.”
In addition, Chairman of the Council of the Republic Mikhail Myasnikovich believes that international parcels have collapsed Belarusian trade and created problems for, therefore he sees restrictive measures as protecting the national market.
Why exactly 22 euros?
The answer to this question is even simpler: because such a strict limit is established in most European countries. We by no means doubt that the Europeans are actively protecting their market, but we still decided to learn more about their best practices, as well as the experience of other leading countries in the world.
European Union countries.
Almost all EU member states have the same rules, and they do include an amount of 22 euros. But! There is a certain gradation.
Firstly, 22 euros is the limit for those parcels sent from commercial organizations. For those transferred “from an individual to an individual"(that is, simply put, for gifts), a different standard has been established - 45 euros.
Secondly, the percentage of fees depends on the “value” of the parcel. Between 22 and 150 euros only VAT is charged (the tax amount is not the same for all countries, but fluctuates somewhere around 20 percent), more than 150 euros - VAT + customs duties.
However, the amount of customs duties depends on the type of goods. So, books are not taxed at all (by the way, VAT on them is only 7-9 percent). In Germany, for example, mobile phones and smartphones are exempt from duties. gaming consoles, digital cameras, "flash drives". Tariffs range from 0 to 6.5 percent, for bags - from 3 to 9.7, for gold and silver jewelry - from 2.5 to 4, for clothes - 12 percent...
As for, for a cost of up to 700 euros, a reduced customs duty is charged (using the example of Estonia - 2.5%). Naturally, parcels within the EU are not subject to any taxes.
If we talk about exceptions, then we can include the UK: it is part of the EU for special conditions and therefore applies its own special rules. True, only the amounts differ here, but not the approach.
Photo: dic.academic.ru
The limit for commercial parcels is 15 pounds (about 19 euros), for gifts - 34 pounds (43 euros). For parcels up to £135 (€171), as in other EU countries, only 20 percent VAT is charged. If the “price” is higher, customs duties are also added (again, depending on what exactly is being sent).
By the way, one more nuance: if the amount of all additional fees does not exceed 7 pounds (about 9 euros), then it is simply forgiven.
Switzerland
As an example of a country that is located in Europe, but is not part of the EU.
Here the duty-free limit is quite small - only 5 francs (about the same in euros). All commercial parcels of greater value are subject to VAT (8 percent, for books, magazines, medicines - 2.5 percent) and customs duties. The latter are calculated depending on the type of goods and its weight (usually less than one franc per kilogram), and books, laptops and other electronics are not subject to duties.
There is a limit of 100 francs for gifts.
USA
Parcels arriving here must clearly indicate: “as a gift” or “for personal use.” At the same time, for some reason, the “gift” limit is two times lower - $100 as opposed to $200.
If the cost of the package exceeds the specified amount of 200 dollars, but customs Service I didn’t see any goods for sale in the contents, VAT is not charged - you only need to pay duties: from 0 to 37.5 percent, depending on what exactly was delivered.
Canada
In this country, it also matters whether a person received a gift or an order from an online store. The limit for the first case is 60 Canadian dollars (a little more than 43 US dollars), for the second - 20 (approximately $14). In case of excess, VAT is paid from the difference (the tax differs depending on the region - from 5 to 15 percent) and customs duties. For the size of the latter, the country of dispatch and the type of product are taken into account.
In addition, Canada has signed free trade agreements with many countries (South Korea, USA, EU, Israel...), so parcels arriving from there are not subject to any fees.
Japan
The approach is almost the same, just with different amounts. Parcels up to 10,000 yen (about 90 US dollars) are not subject to any taxes or fees. From 10,000 to 20,000 yen - simplified tariff applies. If more - VAT (8 percent) + customs duties from 0 to 30 percent (as in previous examples, depending on the type of product).
In general, all countries protect their market and introduce limits for international parcels. But, as it turns out, some people know what exactly needs to be protected and to what extent.
And, of course, they can boast of their own production.
New rules for trade in light industry goods have led to devastation of markets. Advanced users said that now people will start shopping on cheap Chinese sites. However, the presidential decree No. 40 of February 11th put a “brick” in this path.
The document spells out new limits for duty-free import of goods from abroad and limits for receiving parcels from abroad. From April 14, Belarusians will be able to receive duty-free parcels for personal use worth no more than 22 euros and weighing no more than 10 kg per month. Previously, it was allowed to receive goods from abroad worth up to 200 euros and weighing up to 31 kg.
Excess tariff
The text of the new decree No. 40 was published on the National Legal Internet Portal on February 13. The State Customs Committee explains that the new limits were introduced due to a significant increase in the number of goods imported by individuals, not for personal use, but for commercial purposes. “For the period 2013-2015. the volume of imported international postal items (IPO) increased more than 6 times: in 2013 - 1.9 million parcels, in 2014 - 6.3 million, in 2015 imported by 11.8 million. More than 200 thousand citizens receive from 10 up to 100 MPOs per year or more. On average, there are about 10 MPOs per recipient, and 15 MPOs arrive at one address, reports the press service of Brest Customs.
If within a month the cost of parcels from abroad exceeds 22 euros, you will have to pay a duty at the rate of 30% of the excess amount, but not less than 4 euros per 1 kg.
From the moment the decree comes into force, upon receipt of a parcel worth 50 euros and weighing 2 kg, customs duties and taxes will be: (50-22) * 30% = 8.4 euros. Also, in relation to this parcel, it will be necessary to pay a customs fee of 5 euros, explains the press service of the Brest customs.
In this case, do not forget that the limits are indicated for a month and all mail from abroad will be summed up. That is, if you first received a package priced at 10 euros, and then at 15 euros, you will have to pay a fee for the excess by 3 euros.
Retail difference
The innovation caused a dissatisfied flurry of emotions on the Internet and beyond. No wonder. After all, the practice of shopping in foreign online stores has long been common among Belarusians. The Brest branch of Belpochta does not hide the fact that the volume of parcels from abroad is quite large.
Most often, international mail comes from China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Israel, the USA, Great Britain and Germany. Behind last year We received 830 thousand international simple small packages, mainly from China. These are exactly the items that come most often from online stores. It turns out that on average we received approximately 70 thousand simple small packages per month. This year, in January, we have already received 164 thousand such packages, says Svetlana Yakukhno, head of the postal service department of the Brest branch of RUE Belpochta.
We have long appreciated the convenience of shopping on a Chinese website. The quality of the goods is not worse than ours, but much cheaper. We are now preparing for the wedding, and I buy many things and accessories there,” says Svetlana, a Brest resident. - Taking into account the new limit, we simply will not order goods worth more than 22 euros or weighing more than 10 kg. I think many people who are accustomed to shopping in foreign online stores will do this. There will, of course, be those who will start making their purchases in the names of their family and friends.
The new limits will be especially felt by those who are accustomed to purchasing equipment or car components from foreign online stores.
22 euros is a very tough limit. I often purchased spare parts for my car on a Chinese website. They're just very expensive here, and they're rare to find. Naturally, spare parts cost more than 22 euros and weigh more than 10 kg. So now we’ll have to look for them in the vastness of Russia,” says Bereza resident Kirill.
You won't get much speed with 22 euros. For this amount, even on a cheap Chinese website you cannot buy a smartphone, a tablet or any household appliances. Even clothes are difficult to find that could cost less than 22 euros. You can stay within the specified limits with purchases of accessories for appliances, kitchen utensils and some types of clothing: blouses, hats, gloves, underwear, socks. Perhaps promotions and discounts that exist in online stores will save you.
Tax bypass schemes
Before the Belarusians had time to communicate about the new decree, our neighbors, the Russians, became aware of it. With the adoption of the law on parasites, they began to offer their services in issuing fake certificates stating that Belarusians allegedly work in Russia, so that a person could avoid paying tax for parasitism.
A similar situation may arise now. On February 14, on one of the Moscow websites that deals with trade, a new Commercial offer for Belarusians. The company offers to place online orders at a warehouse in Moscow, from where the goods will be redirected to the addressee in Belarus. As you know, customs control is not carried out in relation to parcels from the EAEU countries. With this scheme, Russian limits on parcels from abroad apply - up to 1000 euros and 30 kg, which exceeds even the previously existing limits in Belarus. Naturally, the neighbors' service is not free and will cost from 4 to 50 dollars, depending on the weight and cost of the goods.
It’s too early to say whether Belarusians will limit themselves in their purchases, start paying a fee for exceeding the cost, or take advantage of their neighbors’ offer. Decree No. 40 will come into force on April 14. Who knows, maybe by this time there will be some changes in the document?
