Let us remind you that from April 14, there are limits on international parcels for personal use - the maximum order amount will be no more than 22 euros and weighing no more than 10 kilograms. Today, Belarusians can receive duty-free parcels from abroad for personal use worth up to 200 euros per month (regardless of the number of purchases) and weighing up to 31 kilograms. If this volume is exceeded, then you need to pay import customs duty on the excess amount and customs duty.
What will happen to parcels ordered before April 14?
Question: Is it possible to order several parcels per month for one person, so that the total cost is no more than 22 euros per month, or will it be possible to order only one parcel?
— The duty-free limit on value (22 euros) and weight (10 kg) reflects the total value of all international postal items (IPO) per calendar month. In other words, several parcels can be imported within the specified norms.
Question from Yulia: At what point will it be considered that the parcel has arrived from abroad - at the moment it arrives at customs or at the post office? After all, these are sometimes completely different periods. And you can receive goods at the post office at the same time, ordered in different periods, and not meet the limit, although each parcel individually did not exceed it.
— The customs authorities take into account the date of registration of the parcel at the temporary storage warehouse. The specified date cannot be changed. In accordance with paragraph 4 of Article 160 of the Customs Code of the Customs Union, parcels are placed in temporary storage within 3 hours after their presentation to the customs authority upon arrival at places (institutions) of international postal exchange.
Question from Evgeniya: Will duties be charged on parcels that were sent, for example, in March, but will arrive after April 14?
— Yes, they will, if the customs value of the goods sent exceeds the established duty-free import standards of 22 euros.
Example. Three parcels have been ordered, their cost is 22 euros, 5 euros and 1 euro respectively. All parcels arrive at different times, but within the same month. We pick up a parcel worth 22 euros 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 fee of 5 euros and payment for postal services. Savchenko Evgeniy.
State Customs Committee's response: Let's assume that the total weight of three parcels is up to 10 kg. After the duty-free release of a parcel worth 22 euros, subsequent parcels received by the same individual are subject to payment of customs duties and customs fees for customs operations for each parcel.
For the second international postal item, customs duties of approximately 6.5 euros will be payable: 5 euros (customs value of goods) x 30% + 5 euros (customs duty). The amount of customs duties for the third parcel will be about 5.3 euros: 1 euro x 30% + 5 euros (customs duty).
Question from Nikolai: Let’s say that before the decree came into force on April 5, I received an international postal item in the amount of 30 euros. Under the previous rules, there is no need to pay a fee. And after the 14th in April I will receive another MPO worth 10 euros. Will there be a duty charge on it? After all, the law cannot have retroactive effect and MPOs received before April 14th should not be taken into account in the amount of 22 euros.
— Subclause 1.1 of clause 1 of Decree No. 360 stipulates that the period for recording the facts of sending goods to an individual for personal use is a calendar month. This approach was not changed by Decree No. 40.
In the situation under consideration, before Decree No. 40 came into force, you had already received goods worth 30 euros in April. Consequently, after decree No. 40 came into force, you have already used the monthly norm of 22 euros and 10 kg for April.
“I didn’t buy anything myself, my relatives sent me a gift.”
Question from Marina: How will parcels (gifts) from abroad (in our case from the USA) from close relatives be assessed with duties and taxes? How much can they send us gifts for and how often?
— Decree No. 40 has not established any specifics (separate norms) for sending this category of goods (gifts).
Question from Igor. Let's say my parents live in the USA, won a Green Card, send me a package (clothing, dishes, etc.), the cost of the items is not indicated anywhere. Do I need to pay a duty, since I didn’t buy anything myself, and no currency was exported from the country?
- Yes, in case of exceeding the norms established by Decree No. 40. In accordance with part two of paragraph 1 of Article 316 of the Customs Code of the Customs Union, the calculation of the amounts of customs duties and taxes is carried out on the basis of information about the cost of goods specified in the documents provided for by acts of the Universal Postal Union and used in for customs purposes.
At the same time, in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 361 of the Customs Code of the Customs Union, if an individual moving goods for personal use does not have original documents confirming information about the value of the gift, and the customs authority has reasonable grounds to believe that the information provided and (or ) the documents are not reliable, the customs value of such goods will be determined by the customs authority independently on the basis of the price information at its disposal for similar goods, including on the basis of data indicated in the catalogs of foreign companies engaged in retail sales of similar goods.
How will items purchased at sales be priced?
Question from Anton: The promotional item was purchased for 20 euros. The parcel arrived in two weeks or a month, the cost of this product on the seller’s website is already indicated at 35 euros. How will customs act upon the fact of assessing the value? What information must be provided?
— An individual has the right to prove the accuracy of the information presented to determine the customs value. To do this, he must submit documents confirming the declared value (contract, specification, invoice, sales receipt, payment receipt).
What to do if the seller incorrectly indicates the price of the goods?
Question from Sergey: Sometimes it happens that a Chinese seller overstates the value of goods in the declaration. For example, I buy an item worth 22 euros, i.e. actually paid 22 euros - an amount not exceeding the limit, and the declaration indicates the value, for example, of 40 euros. How can I prove that this package costs exactly 22 euros? Is it possible to provide screenshots?
— 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.
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. ).
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.
Is it possible to order several parcels to one address for different people?
Question from Yulia: I would like to clarify how the customs authorities plan to differentiate between recipients? By full name, recipient's address, card from which payment was made?
— The duty-free import standards established by Decree No. 40 apply to goods for personal use sent to MPO during a calendar month to one recipient, who is an individual located on the territory of the Republic of Belarus. It should be noted that according to subclause 2.2 of clause 2 of Article PE 106 “Conditions for acceptance of parcels” of the Postal Parcel Regulations (Act of the Universal Postal Union), only one individual or legal entity can be indicated as the addressee.
Thus, one individual during a calendar month can receive duty-free IPOs in an amount equivalent to no more than 22 euros and a total weight of no more than 10 kg, or several IPOs per month, if they do not exceed the specified limits.
— The specified norm is calculated for each recipient upon receipt of goods at his address. Including minors.
Question from Oleg: It is possible that one parcel will be delayed and another will arrive earlier. As a result, the cost of parcels per month may exceed 22 euros. Is it possible to somehow avoid paying duties on the basis of payment receipts, from which it will be clear that the goods were ordered at different times and the cost of the ordered parcels does not exceed 22 euros per month?
— The legislation determines that customs authorities take into account the date of registration of documents submitted in accordance with the customs legislation of the Customs Union for placing such goods in temporary storage. The legislation does not provide for any other procedure for calculating this period.
Where to pay duties and fees?
Question from Natalia Sobolevskaya. Please tell me, if the parcel still exceeds the cost of 22 euros, where do they pay the tax on it? At the post office upon receipt or do I have to go somewhere and pay?
— Customs duties must be paid at the post office where the international mail will be issued. The postal operator will inform you about the need to pay customs duties.
Example. I ordered an external hard drive that cost $90 (or 82 euros). What duty will have to be paid in this case?
State Customs Committee's response: If the cost of goods sent to the MPO for personal use is $90 (which is equivalent to 82 euros) and the weight does not exceed 10 kg and no other goods were sent to this individual during the calendar month, then the amount of customs duties payable will be calculated as follows: thus: (82 euros - 22 euros) x 30% + 5 euros (customs duty for customs operations) - and will be 23 euros.
Question from Egor: What happens if I exceed the limit and don’t want to pay and pick up the parcel?
— If the recipient refuses to pay the accrued customs duties, the MPO will be returned to the sender.
Question from Kristina Malinovskaya: If the cost of the parcel is indicated in Russian rubles, then what euro exchange rate will be applied? Will it be necessary to pay duty if during the delivery of the goods the amount exceeded the duty-free limit due to the growth of the Russian ruble against the euro?
— The exchange rates of the US dollar and euro to the currency of the EAEU member state are applied on the day of registration of the customs receipt order.
Question from Olga: Will there be new limits on parcels from the EAEU?
— MPO sent between member states of the EAEU are considered intra-Union postal items and are not subject to customs control. Customs operations are not carried out in relation to them.
Return under warranty. Do I need to pay?
Question: I am interested in a situation when a product arrives in poor quality and the seller resends the product. Will I have to pay the fee a second time? For example, I bought a camera for $100 with a 2-year seller's warranty. It broke before the €22 limit was introduced and was sent to the seller for replacement or repair. The camera returns to Belarus after Decree No. 40 comes into force. Will tax be charged?
— This decree does not establish any withdrawals in relation to any category of goods, including those resent by the seller in connection with the fulfillment of its contractual obligations for warranty repairs or maintenance.
In this case, the customs authorities will take into account the customs value and weight of goods delivered to an individual at the MPO during the calendar month.
In the case of sending goods for warranty repair or replacement without subsequent payment of import duties, it is necessary to confirm that these particular goods were previously imported and place them under the customs procedure of processing outside the customs territory. After this, the goods can be taken to the post office for forwarding to the seller.
Are courier services for parcel delivery included in the limit?
Question: If you make a purchase through an online store for an amount less than 22 euros (let’s say 20 euros) and weighing less than 10 kg, but delivery will cost 5 euros, and therefore a total of 25 euros, will it be considered that the limit of decree No. 40 will it be exceeded and you will have to pay a fee?
— 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.
Example. The package arrived, it says 60 euros: the product costs 32 euros, and delivery is 28 euros, the weight of the package is 8 kg. How much will the duty be charged?
Answer: The weight limit for duty-free import (10 kg) is not exceeded. Delivery costs are not included. The amount of customs duties payable, calculated based on the customs value, will be 8 euros in the equivalent: (32 - 22 euros) x 30% + 5 euros (customs duty) = 8 euros.
In Belarus, the threshold for duty-free import of goods in international mail will remain the same for now - no more than 22 euros and 10 kg per month.
“No changes to the limit on international parcels are expected in Belarus in the near future”, - said at a press conference on January 25 in Minsk the head of the department for organizing customs control of the State Customs Committee Dmitry Kovalenok.
“At the same time, agreements in principle to reduce the limit of this norm in Russia and Kazakhstan have already been fixed and will soon be published on the website of the Eurasian Economic Commission. As for the Republic of Belarus, no changes are expected in the near future, but again, as soon as the decision of the EEC Council comes into force, we will have the opportunity to subsequently revise the norm", - said the representative of the State Customs Committee.
At the same time, he noted that the situation that existed at the time the decision was made several years ago to reduce the limit on parcels to 22 euros “hasn’t changed fundamentally.”
“That is, the volume of parcels has not stopped. If in 2015 about 6.5 million parcels arrived in Belarus, the trend of constant growth continues. But here it is important to note that the trend of importing mass quantities of goods has stopped. For example, in 2015, about 400 people in Belarus received more than a hundred parcels per year. That is, what kind of import of goods for personal use can we talk about? Now this figure is six times less, and we constantly monitor such people; they are under the control of both customs and tax authorities.”, - said Kovalenok.
In addition, the representative of the State Customs Committee continued, as soon as the standard of 22 euros for parcels from abroad was introduced, cash receipts increased. Thus, in 2017, the treasury of Belarus received about 3.7 million rubles from individuals.
“Comparing 11 million parcels and 3.7 million payments, it turns out that each parcel brought in about 33 kopecks”, he noted.
The leadership of the State Customs Committee cannot yet clearly answer when and whether the current norm for parcels from abroad will be revised in Belarus in accordance with the latest decisions adopted within the EAEU. Customs officers indicate that a decision on this issue should be made at a higher level, taking into account the opinions of all interested ministries and departments.
“In general, we need to look at how this will affect the economy of our country. The task of the State Customs Committee is to show commercial consignments of goods, we can cope with this"- said the head of the State Customs Committee Yuri Senko.
In 2016, Belarus significantly reduced the limit on duty-free parcels from abroad. Now Belarusians have to pay customs duties if the cost of the ordered goods exceeds 22 euros and weighs more than 10 kilograms. If the limit is exceeded, the addressee will pay 30% of the excess amount (but not less than 4 euros per kg), as well as a customs fee of 5 euros. Previously, in Belarus the limit on parcels for personal use was 200 euros and 31 kilograms per month.
At the end of 2017, within the framework of the EAEU, the concept of a gradual reduction of customs limits was approved, which included goods that are delivered to the buyer from abroad through international mail or by a carrier, including purchases in foreign online stores.
In particular, within three years, the EAEU countries must adopt uniform limits on the maximum value and weight of parcels from abroad. If the decision is made, Russia and Kazakhstan will lower their limits from 1,000 euros to 200, and Belarus could raise them from 22 to 200.
According to the decision, from January 1, 2018, a limit of 1,000 euros and 31 kg per calendar month is expected to be established. From January 1, 2019, for one calendar month, without paying customs duties and taxes, it will be possible to order goods totaling up to 500 euros and weighing no more than 31 kg. In addition, all restrictions on time and number of orders will be lifted.
At the same time, countries may introduce additional restrictions that reduce import standards.
When ordering goods from foreign online stores, the first thing the buyer should know is the customs limits of their country. Although Belarus and Russia are members of the Unified Customs Union, the limits of postal items per recipient in our countries are completely different. This article provides customs restrictions for Belarus, Russia and Ukraine for postal items through state postal services and through courier services.
For Belarus
one calendar month to one recipient goods can be moved for personal use within an amount equivalent to 22 euros (the limit is valid from October 25, 2014). Date X is considered the date of receipt of the postal item in our country (arrival at the temporary storage warehouse - temporary storage warehouse, do not confuse it with the date of receipt of the parcel at the post office).
Goods for personal use, imported into the customs territory of the Republic of Belarus through courier services (DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, etc.) during one calendar month to one recipient, are not subject to customs duty up to an amount equivalent to 22 euros
(the limit is valid from October 25, 2014). However, these shipments must be independently cleared (declared) in the territory Airport Minsk-2
, as well as pay for storage at a temporary storage warehouse and customs clearance fee - 5 euros. You can also entrust the declaration procedure to licensed customs brokers, for example - (the service is provided for a fee).
ATTENTION! On February 11, the President of the Republic of Belarus signed Decree No. 40 on changing the customs limit threshold to 22 euros . The decree will come into force on April 14, 2016.
Goods for personal use- these are goods intended for personal, family, household and other non-business needs of individuals.
If these limits are exceeded - 22 euros - you must pay 30%
Not limited number of parcels per calendar month, only their total cost is limited to 22 euros.
Payment of customs duties on postal items via state postal services are carried out at your post office, via courier - at Minsk-2 Airport.
Since the exact equivalent of the cost of the parcel is determined according to the exchange rate of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus at the time of customs inspection, which is very difficult to predict in advance, highly recommended when making a purchase and calculating the limit leave a small cash reserve to currency exchange rate fluctuations.
Link to the website of the Customs Committee - gtk.gov.by
Addresses and contact numbers of customs authorities - gtk.gov.by
Guidelines for determining the purpose of goods - gtk.gov.by
Restrictions on the import and export of certain types of goods for personal use - gtk.gov.by
For Russia
Duty free from abroad within one calendar month to one recipient in international mail (state postal services and EMS) goods can be moved for personal use(except for indivisible goods) within an amount equivalent to 1000 euros and maximum weight - 31kg. Source - Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 446 of June 17, 2010 (p. 44, paragraph 16).
If these limits are exceeded, you must pay 30% customs duty on the excess amount, but not less than 4 euros per kg.
Regarding courier services, the situation is approximately as follows (it is better to clarify further in the representative offices of these services in the Russian Federation):
UPS courier service- purchase price limit for individuals - 200 euros.
Courier service DHL- suspended delivery for individuals; only a small list of stores remained available to individuals.
FedEx courier service- you can receive for Moscow for an amount up to 200 euros, and for all other cities/regions for 75 $.
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. Over the past 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, a new commercial offer for Belarusians appeared on one of the Moscow websites that deals with trade. 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?
International parcels in Belarus are now limited to 22 euros and 10 kg. This decree No. 40 was signed on February 11, 2016. KV have prepared five possible options for how Belarusians can circumvent this restriction.
Ask sellers to indicate a lower price for the product
You can try to negotiate with the seller. And by agreement with the buyer, the sender indicates a reduced cost of the goods. Let's say $20 for a camera.
However, it is worth knowing that customs officers conduct their own assessment of the parcel. They study the average cost of the product in the country from which it came, and set a much more plausible price tag. Mail processing in Minsk employs specialists who have the skills to quickly calculate the true price of an item. In some cases, they may request assistance from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where they will appoint an examination.
Order goods for relatives
It is quite possible to involve friends and relatives in ordering via the Internet. This requires people who don’t buy things on foreign websites very often or don’t buy anything at all. The number of people you need depends on the frequency of your orders from abroad. E it will look like four parcels to Belarus for four different people.
Order from friends from other countries
If you need to place an order for an amount significantly exceeding 22 euros, consider ordering from a resident of the customs union country (Russia, Kazakhstan), who will forward the parcel to you. Postage costs will be lower than possible duty.
Or Belarusians can order parcels to Russian post offices "on demand" and thus bypass the Belarusian limit of 22 euros.
However the consequences of using this delivery scheme are unknown.
Ask sellers to specify a different type of product
Another method that may be useful is to negotiate with the seller so that he lists your product not as a purchase, but as a personal parcel. True, here everything will depend on the seller.
Mail Forwarding
Mail Forwarding (or “Your address abroad”, hereinafter abbreviated as MF) is a service in which you make purchases yourself and use the addresses of intermediary company warehouses abroad. The service, of course, is paid, but its cost is significantly less than the duty. It is worth noting that the address must be chosen in the countries of the Customs Union in order to avoid being subject to tax.
The scheme is as follows: you pay for goods to sellers yourself using your credit card. The company's warehouse is used as an address accessible to the seller, as well as a point for consolidation and further shipment of goods to Belarus.
However, before you try any of these tips, it's worth remembering a simple rule: any attempts to circumvent the law can end in trouble.