What are you bringing? New rules for importing goods from abroad have been introduced in Belarus

WHAT ARE THE LIMITS?

In a commentary to AiF, Tatiana LINNIK, inspector of the ideological work department of the Minsk regional customs, previously stated that Belarusians who travel abroad by land can bring goods worth 500 euros and weighing up to 25 kg once every 3 months. If you travel more often, the limits are reduced to 300 euros and 20 kg.

Article on the topic What goods are prohibited from being imported into and exported from Belarus?

Cash and traveler's checks for a total amount exceeding the equivalent of $10 thousand are subject to customs declaration.

The norm for duty-free import of alcoholic beverages into Belarus is 3 liters per adult. It is allowed to import 2 more liters, but with a duty of 10 euros for each liter in excess of the norm. It is prohibited to import more than 5 liters of alcohol into the territory of the EAEU.

Adults also have the right to bring tobacco and tobacco products in the amount of 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars (cigarillos), or 250 grams of tobacco, or an assortment of these products with a total weight of no more than 250 grams per person.

All these rules have been preserved. They have changed for those who travel abroad too often. For example, those who cross the border more than once a week will now be able to bring up to 5 kg of food, 1 liter of alcohol and no more than 40 cigarettes. Limit on items for personal use: you can take 1 unit of each item.

If a person crosses the border more than once a calendar day, then he can bring no more than 1 kg of food, 100 ml. alcohol and 20 cigarettes. He will not be able to carry new things: only used ones and those necessary along the route and (or) destination.

How many liters of alcohol can you buy at duty free? More details

If you import goods more often and more than required, you will have to file a declaration for the excess and pay customs duties. Otherwise, the goods must be returned to the adjacent side.

The State Customs Committee emphasizes that when calculating the frequency of movement of a person across the customs border, the beginning of the period is considered to be 00 hours 00 minutes of the calendar day on which the individual previously entered the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in Belarus.

Norms for importing goods to Belarus from Poland

Belarusians are increasingly traveling to Poland to buy necessary goods. Clothing, shoes, household appliances, building materials, cosmetics, food and much more - all this can be purchased in Polish stores at very attractive prices, especially during the season of sales and discounts. Exactly how you go to Poland to buy goods: by personal car, train or organized shopping tour - does not matter, the customs rules are the same in all cases. You need to familiarize yourself with them in advance in order to understand which goods and in what volume can be transported duty-free, and for which you will have to pay taxes and fees. Let us remind you that from January 1, 2021, new rules for the transport of goods from Poland to Belarus came into force. We have prepared for you answers to the most important and common questions related to the transportation of goods across the state border of the Republic of Belarus.

Permissible weight and cost of goods that can be transported

New rules that came into force in January 2021 impose restrictions on goods transported depending on the frequency of border crossings.

So, if trips are made no more than once in three months, then goods with a total weight of up to 25 kg inclusive can be transported duty-free, and the total cost of these goods should not exceed 500 EUR.

For persons crossing the border 2 or more times for three months in a row, the total weight allowed for transportation is 20 kg. In this case, the total cost of all goods is reduced to 300EUR.

The requirements of the norms of Decision No. 91 of the Council of the Economic Commission for Europe impose on customs officers the obligation to record all border crossings by any individual. Duty-free import rates are calculated for any age of the person passing through, i.e. Children can also be taken into account when calculating the permissible weight and amount of goods.

The traveler's age is taken into account only in the case of transporting alcohol, beer, cigars; minor citizens have no right to transport these goods under any circumstances!

Please note that if frequent trips abroad are related to your work activities, this does not in any way affect the customs requirements for limits on the carriage of goods; they remain the same.

An exception to the new rules is the transportation of used goods previously imported into the country.

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Maximum weight for duty-free transportation of large goods

When traveling no more than once in three months, you can carry oversized goods weighing up to 25 kg duty free. In case of frequent travel, its weight should be limited to 20 kg.

If the product is classified as indivisible, then it is subject to duty. Indivisible types include goods whose weight exceeds 35 kg, consisting of a single or more set items, the functionality of which is possible only after assembly. Completeness is proven by the seller’s information, from labels, instructions, product passports, warranty cards, and packing lists.

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Quantity of goods allowed for one-time import

This is determined by the type of product. Household appliances, for example, can be transported one unit every three years. This product category includes stoves, hoods, hobs, refrigerators, and other kitchen appliances. Plumbing, washing machines, televisions, computers. Lawn mowers, baby strollers, boat motors, vacuum cleaners, and many other household appliances with a service life of more than 1 year.

A set of tires is allowed to be carried once every two years. During this period, each car is allowed to carry four rims, mats, and a set of tires, according to a document confirming that the vehicle belongs to a specific individual. At the same time, the weight and monetary limits remain the same as described above.

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Number of items allowed per trip

The classification of goods into the personal use group is carried out by the customs service. At the same time, its character and consumer properties are taken into account. The assortment of goods is carefully controlled. You cannot transport identical durable goods in one vehicle when their number exceeds three. Under current border control rules, they can be considered a commercial shipment, especially given the individual's previous travel history. The controlling specialist takes into account factors such as family composition, the average need for a product, place of residence, confirmation of the legality of the purchase, and frequency of trips.

If the border is crossed no more than once a month, then you can transport no more than 5 types of goods, three pieces of each type.

If a citizen passes through border control 2 or more times a month, then as personal goods it is allowed to carry no more than three items of the same name and no more than three items.

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Limits for transporting alcohol

Established standards allow the transportation of 3 liters of alcohol. The quantity of tobacco products is limited to the following values: up to 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 250 g of tobacco. The total weight cannot exceed 250 g. For persons traveling more than once in the current week, new requirements for transporting the amount of alcohol have been introduced. They amount to 5 kg of all food products, taking into account 1 liter of alcohol when traveling in a car, 0.5 liters if a person walks or uses a bicycle.

An important point when controlling products at customs is the presence on the packaging of a label, marking, or any other document specifying its composition. In the absence, the customs officer is given the right not to allow the transportation of goods. If trips are made to the country every day, for example, it is related to work, then it is allowed to carry only the minimum amount of food necessary for the trip.

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Declaration procedure, travel through red and green channels

Upon entry, you do not have to fill out a declaration if the goods being transported fully comply with the requirements of the latest edition of the transportation standards. In case of the slightest doubt, it is better to choose moving along the red channel.

Customs inspection is interesting for identifying goods subject to duty. Some people have these goods, others do not. To facilitate the work of customs specialists and increase the capacity of border crossing points, a system of two corridors has been developed, based on the different functions of the green and red routes. A green corridor does not mean that travel through it occurs without inspection. The customs officer responsible for its work can observe the actions through a video camera and be nearby. He has the right to stop any person, make the necessary inspection of the goods, and make sure that there are no things to be declared. As soon as you enter the green corridor, without any words or explanations, you ascertain the right to passage, passage. This is the so-called conclusive form of declaration. A customs violation is considered to be movement along the green corridor with cargo that is subject to declaration. It may bear administrative and even criminal liability.

If the cargo permitted by weight contains goods that are subject to declaration or you doubt that you do not have any, you must use the red corridor by filling out a declaration. All goods can be declared. The customs officer will carefully check the documents and cargo and make the appropriate decision.

Personal goods that have been used, regardless of price and weight, do not require declaration upon entry. It is allowed to move currency, Belarusian money, and traveler's checks with a total value not exceeding 10,000 USD equivalent along the green corridor.

Declaration of goods carried by a person under 16 years of age is carried out by parents or guardians responsible for accompanying the trip.

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Calculation of the amount of state duty in case of exceeding the permissible transportation norms

Let’s say trips are made no more than once every three months. Then, to determine the amount of the state duty for excess weight, they are guided by the following methodology. If the weight is exceeded, then the duty amount is calculated using the formula:

(Total weight - 25g)*4EUR

If the cost is exceeded, then the amount of the duty is calculated using the formula:

(Total cost - 500EUR)*0.3

If there is an excess in both weight and cost, then the calculation is made using both formulas, and the one that is larger is accepted for payment.

When transporting indivisible goods (indivisible goods include goods whose weight exceeds 35 kg), regardless of weight and value, customs duty is subject to payment, the amount of which is determined as 30% of the cost or 4 euros for each kilogram. The larger amount is subject to payment.

For transporting alcoholic beverages in excess of the permitted limits, you will have to pay 10 EUR for each extra liter.

Please note that in addition to the state duty, you must additionally pay a customs fee of 5EUR for paperwork.

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Calculation of the amount of state duty for exceeding the norm when traveling more than once within three months

The methodology for calculating the amount of state duty is similar to the rules used for legal entities. The value of customs duty and excise tax is determined by the product code. Customs duty is 20EUR or 50EUR (depending on the category of goods), VAT. The calculation is regulated by the requirements of the new Decision, which does not classify cargo worth over 300EUR as personal goods, as was the case before. This means that it requires the imposition of customs payments.

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Goods prohibited for import

The legislation provides for two types of goods, the transportation of which to Belarus is prohibited completely or for specific cases. It is prohibited to transport goods:

Instruments and devices included in military equipment. Among them are firearms, poisons, drugs, explosives, and radioactive substances. You can view the list of such goods on the website of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Belarus.

A group of goods not classified as personal use products, the duty-free transportation of which is not permitted. These are engines, heating boilers, solariums, medical equipment, diamonds. Full information can be found on the website gtk.gov.by.

Animals and plants are imported only with a permit and a full package of accompanying documents.

Food products subject to a permanent or temporary import ban.

A detailed list of prohibited import goods is available on the website of the Customs Committee. It may be adjusted annually. In order to avoid unnecessary troubles during border control when returning to Belarus, you need to familiarize yourself with all the rules before your trip. Especially if there is a plan to purchase a complex product.

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PERSONAL ITEMS

The import standards for some non-food products, which are classified as goods for personal use, have also changed.

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Now, as a product for personal use, you can import no more than 1 unit into the country during a calendar year : gas (or electric) kitchen stove, hob, hood, oven, water heater, lawn mower, grass trimmer, washing equipment household cars, monitor, laptop or netbook, multifunctional copier (MFP), TV, bicycle, inflatable boat, outboard motor, civilian smooth-bore or rifled weapon and its parts, air conditioner, household welding machine, household electric generator, game console.

For example, before the changes, a television or bicycle could be imported for personal use once every three years.

no more than 2 units during a calendar year as goods for personal use: a mobile phone, a baby stroller, a printer, a scanner, a tablet computer.

No more than 4 units per calendar year : new pneumatic tires, new or used wheels for each car and motor vehicle for personal use, provided that information about the declarant is indicated in the vehicle registration certificate or document (invoice, purchase and sale agreement, gift agreement, etc.), indicating the acquisition of a vehicle that is not registered in the EAEU member states or states that are not members of the EAEU.

Without any duties. How to bring medicine, flowers, sweets from abroad? More details

Food import standards

The rules for importing goods into Belarus from Poland provide for the possibility of transporting 5 kg of food across the border without paying duty. Some categories of goods have their own import restrictions, for example, fish caviar (sturgeon) is allowed in the amount of 250 g.

If food products are classified as regulated products (fruits, vegetables, berries, nuts, herbs), then the import of more than 5 kg requires a phytosanitary certificate.

Customs regulations in Belarus prohibit the import of pork into the country from Poland. This applies to live and frozen products, as well as any products containing pork (sausages, sausages, semi-finished products, lard, smoked meats).

In a 5 kg permissible basket, all goods must be in original packaging. Border guards have requirements for product labeling; it must contain information about the composition, date and place of manufacture.

NATURE OF THE PRODUCT

When classifying goods as goods for personal use according to the “nature of the goods” criterion, their consumer properties, the practice of ordinary use or use in everyday life to satisfy personal, family, household and other needs not related to business activities are taken into account.

The following cannot be classified as goods for personal use: three or more units of identical durable goods specified in the Methodological Recommendations, transported in one vehicle (except for buses with more than 12 seats and railway cars), by different individuals, with the exception of family members, as well as goods consisting of one unit, imported disassembled by different individuals in one vehicle. In other words, if you bought a cabinet, you cannot have one person import the doors and another person import the drawers.

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If customs officers recognize that the goods are not for personal use, then it will be necessary to submit a declaration and pay customs duties. Otherwise, the goods will have to be returned to the adjacent side.

If a product is not on the list, this means that it can be imported without restrictions on quantity. But you still need to “fit” into the limits on cost and weight.

How to calculate the state duty for exceeding the norms for duty-free import of goods

If it was not possible to meet the duty-free standards, the rules provide the following payment options for those who travel outside the country no more than once every 3 months:

In the case of transportation of goods exceeding the cost and weight indicators, calculations are made based on both indicators. The larger result is accepted for payment.

It is possible to import alcohol into Belarus in excess of the prescribed limit only in the amount of 2 liters. The fee for 1 liter is 10 euros.

INDIVISIBLE GOODS

If a citizen is transporting a washing machine weighing 80 kg and costing $1 thousand, that is, the limits for both cost and weight are exceeded, it will be necessary to fill out a customs declaration and pay the necessary duties and taxes in the amount of 30% of the customs value, but not less than 4 euros per 1 kg weight. In this case, the product is indivisible, and you will have to focus on its weight, since 30% of the cost is less than 4 euros per kilogram. You must have a receipt with you confirming the purchase of the goods.

If a citizen bought a product at a discount, invested in the value limits, but during customs inspection it was considered that it costs more, you need to show a receipt of purchase - this is the main basis for determining the customs value of goods; officials will not have any questions. Otherwise, it will be almost impossible to prove the value of your particular product, so it is better to have a receipt with you.

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Importing alcohol from neighbors

Poland and the Republic of Belarus maintain very strange relations, although they are neighbors. Belarusians often go to the Poles for shopping, because the prices are comparatively lower and it turns out to be more profitable. That’s why many people are interested in what they can bring with them and whether they will have to overpay.

As mentioned earlier, almost every year since 2015, Belarus has increasingly limited imported resources from other countries. This applies to both spot exports and private individuals.

But there is no alcohol there yet, and it can be transported without filing a declaration in standard volumes for a given country - 3 liters, maximum - 5 liters.

Despite the complexity of the current situation, the import of alcoholic beverages from Ukraine is permitted according to the same rules as for other countries - Poland, Russia, Lithuania, etc., which are members of the Customs Union.