Loophole for cheap car import to be closed

The Council of Ministers proposes to take away preferences of small businessmen living in medium and small towns and villages.

Charter97.org received a draft decree prepared by the Belarusian government to amend Decree No.6.

The government proposes to lift customs preferences on importing car equipment and home appliances if analogues of such products are manufactured in Belarus. It is also proposed to limit the amount of goods made more than five years ago.

Small businessmen can lose customs preferences if Belarus produces the goods similar to those falling under preferences.

Under Decree No. 6 of May 7, 2012, “On the encouragement of business activities in medium, small urban communities and rural areas”, preferences were given to Belarusian commercial organisations registered in Belarus in medium and small towns and villages.

On July 1, 2011, customs duties on cars imported to Belarus from foreign countries were increased to the level of Russian customs duties after Belarus had joined the Customs Union. The measure provoked discontent among Belarusians.