Shopping abroad to be banned for Belarusians?

The authorities consider a possibility of imposing a full ban on bringing personal items into the country without paying duties.

Charter97.org learnt it from a source close to the governmental group preparing the document.

The authorities continue to worry about the desire of Belarusians to buy the “EU rubbish”. Disruping negotiations on visa facilitation with neighbours, creating artificial customs obstacles, fighting against market vendors and making the procedure of receiving parcels from abroad more complicated– it is not the full list of the government's creative ideas proposed this year. A $100 exit duty seemed to be maddest idea of the government.

As charter97.org has learnt, the Belarusian government considers a possibility of imposing a full ban on bringing personal items into the country. The decree can be signed in the near future. It is expected that starting December 2 one won't be able to bring goods for personal use into the country without paying customs duties.

Charter97.org called the Customs Committee to get confirmation of the information, but the Committee's representative advised to contact the Council of Ministers.

“If the document is prepared by the Council of Ministers, you should contact the Council,” the Customs Committee's said.

Volha Douhaya, a spokesperson for prime minister Mikhail Miasnikovich, declined to comment on the information at first and asked to call in 30 minutes and then in an hour. She finally said she didn't have information about the document. “The registry of the Council of Ministers has not received such a decree. I have no information about preparing such a document,” she said and recommended to contact the Customs Union. Having heard the Customs Committee advised to call the Council of Ministers, Volha Douhaya said the information was a “rumour”.

We remind that individuals are allowed not to pay customs duties it they bring items for personal use (except for vehicles, ethanol and indivisable goods) costing less than 1,500 euros (or 10,000 euros by air) with the total weight of not more than 50kg.