The member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU; includes Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan) must soon ratify changes to the Customs Code of the union. This could significantly complicate the registration of foreign purchases and increase their cost. The changes were prepared at the end of 2023.
All e-commerce goods will be allocated to a separate segment, and the simplified import system will no longer apply to them. The concept of an e-commerce operator institute will also be introduced, carrying out customs declaration and payment of duties and taxes.
In addition, special customs warehouses will be created for e-commerce goods (analogous to “bonded” warehouses, where goods are delivered without customs clearance, payment of VAT, excise taxes and customs duties, etc.).
Today, there are rules in place according to which foreign goods paid for by the buyer on online platforms are imported into the country as goods for personal use.
Once the amendments come into force, the concept of “goods for personal use” will apply only to those that an individual imports or exports across the border in luggage or that are sent to his address by another individual, and such goods are delivered by mail or carrier.
Market participants warn that the innovations will lead to higher prices for products that will still be able to enter the Russian market. Products may become more expensive by about 15%.
- The Ministry of Industry and Trade in early June offered extend parallel imports until 2025, but reduce the list of goods permitted for them.
- Earlier, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Andrei Belousov said that over the two years of operation of the parallel import mechanism, goods worth $70 billion were imported into Russia.
Cover photo: Unsplash
Source: rb.ru
