International parcels in Belarus are now limited to 22 euros and 10 kg. This decree No. 40 was signed on February 11, 2016. HF prepared five options how Belarusians will be able to get around this restriction.
Ask sellers to indicate a lower cost of goods
You can try to negotiate with the seller. And by agreement with the buyer, the sender indicates an underestimated value of the goods. Let's say $20 for a camera.
However, it is worth knowing that customs officers conduct their own assessment of the package. study average cost goods in the country where it came from, and put up a much more plausible price tag. Mail processing in Minsk employs specialists who have the skills to quickly calculate the true price of the goods. 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 connect friends and relatives to the order via the Internet. This requires people who do not very often buy something for themselves on foreign sites or do not purchase anything at all. Quantity the right people depends on the frequency of your orders from abroad. E it will look like four parcels to Belarus for four different people.
Order for friends from other countries
If you need to place an order for an amount significantly exceeding 22 euros, consider ordering for a resident of the country of the customs union (Russia, Kazakhstan), who will send the package to you. Postage will be below the possible fee.
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 such a delivery scheme are unknown.
Ask sellers to specify a different type of product
Another way that may come in handy is to negotiate with the seller so that he indicates your product not as a purchase, but as a personal package. True, here everything will already depend on the seller.
mail forwarding
Mail Forwarding (or “Your Address Abroad”, hereinafter abbreviated as MF) is a service in which you independently make purchases and use the addresses of warehouses of an intermediary company abroad. The service, of course, is paid, but its cost is significantly less than the fee. It is worth noting that the address must be chosen in the countries of the Customs Union, so as not to fall under the 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 using one of these tips, it is worth remembering a simple rule: any attempts to get around the law can end in trouble.
Reducing the duty-free entry of international parcels from 200 euros to 22 euros will help protect the national market, Violetta Brezovskaya, head of the department for organizing trade and services at the Trade Ministry, said on February 12, BelTA informs.
As a reminder, Belarusians will be limited to international parcels for personal use in the amount of no more than 22 euros per month and weighing no more than 10 kilograms. In addition, Belarusians who will cross the border more than once every three months and import goods worth more than 300 euros or weighing more than 20 kilograms will also have to pay customs duties.
« Such a measure was taken, among other things, to protect the market and national trade. However, this does not mean that domestic producers should relax. They should still be aimed at improving the quality of goods.”, — said Violetta Brezovskaya.
She also noted that Belarusians can still freely use the services of domestic online stores, of which there are more than 11 thousand in Belarus.
The Ministry of Commerce also cited the experience of other countries as an example: for example, in the European Union, goods worth more than 22 euros purchased outside the EU are subject to VAT and customs duty. If the value of goods exceeds 150 euros, customs duties are added.
Recall that the duty-free import of international parcels in Belarus is limited to 22 euros and 10 kg for one month. Previously, these limits were set at 200 euros and 31 kg. The presidential decree also provides that Belarusians who cross the border more than once every three months and import goods worth more than 300 euros or weighing more than 20 kilograms will also have to pay customs duty.
New limits on goods from abroad and restrictions on foreign parcels have raised many questions among Belarusians. What fee will have to be paid for exceeding the norm? Will there be limits on parcels, for example, from Russia? How will customs officers assess the value of parcels? The press secretary of the State Customs Committee Yekaterina Shkurdyuk answered the questions of FINANCE.TUT.BY.
How much will you have to pay to exceed the new limits?
The customs duty, which is in effect now, will also be applied after the introduction of new limits on duty-free import of goods, the State Customs Committee notes. This means that for exceeding the norm, you will have to pay 30% of the cost of the goods, but not less than 4 euros per kilogram. For example, if you order a phone for 50 euros, you will have to pay a fee of 30% from 28 euros. It will turn out 8.4 euros. In addition, you will need to pay a customs fee of 5 euros.
How do customs officers check the value of goods in a parcel?
Shipping costs will be calculated based on "information held by the customs authorities on the price value".
"An individual provides information when a transfer was made for a specific parcel. You can also provide a printout from personal account(the site where the product was purchased. - Approx. FINANCE.TUT.BY), Print Screen, that the product was actually purchased on sale that day at that price. There is no problem in this," the press secretary of the State Customs Committee assured Ekaterina Shkurdyuk. But at the same time, the State Customs Committee clarifies that the printout from the site is not an official document.
Formerly First Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee Sergei Rednenko commented on FINANCE.TUT.BY that "customs Department may independently determine the value of the goods on the basis of the information available to him - the database and other price information, if the documents provided are not enough or there are reasonable doubts about the declared price of the goods.
As a reminder, a sales receipt, an invoice signed by the seller, as well as an extract from the card account are accepted as confirmation of payment for goods, but only if it shows for which particular product the payment was made.
When will restrictions be introduced?
The restrictions will enter into force two months from the date of its publication, the State Customs Committee explains. . The document was published on February 13 on the National Legal Portal.
Will the changes affect parcels from the EAEU countries?
"Customs control is not carried out in relation to parcels from the EAEU countries"- said the press secretary of the State Customs Committee.
Will gifts from relatives from abroad be subject to the new limits?
The restrictions will affect all international parcels (with the exception of shipments from the EAEU countries), including purchases in foreign online stores, and gifts sent from abroad by relatives. "And before that, there were no gradations of international parcels. A gift sent from abroad is also considered an international postal item", - explain in the State Customs Committee.
Why are there restrictions at all?
In Belarus, the number of attempts by individuals to import goods not for personal use, but for commercial parties has significantly increased. "For example, if we see that 250,000 people order parcels from 10 to 100 times a year, then we understand perfectly and subsequent verification activities give us every reason to believe that these goods are imported into commercial purposes", - said Ekaterina Shkurdyuk.
The State Customs Committee explains that the amount of duty-free import determined by the decree of 22 euros "similar to the norm applied in a number of member states of the European Union".
What will happen to parcels that are already ordered?
If the parcel arrives before the decree comes into force, then the old rules will apply to it. But if you receive a purchase from a foreign store when the document starts working, then new limits will apply. Customs officers will take into account only the date the parcel was placed in the temporary storage warehouse.
Recall that today Belarusians can receive duty-free parcels from abroad for personal use in the amount of no more than 200 euros per month (regardless of the number of purchases). If the limit is exceeded, you will have to pay 30% of the excess amount. For comparison: in Russia and Kazakhstan, this rate is 1,000 euros and 31 kilograms per month.
Who is subject to the 300 euro limit when crossing the border?
"This specified does not apply to those who cross the border by air, to diplomatic missions and to goods previously exported and imported. Restrictions will apply to road and rail transport", — said Ekaterina Shkurdyuk.
At the same time, personal belongings that Belarusians will take with them on a trip abroad will not be considered goods. "It is clear that if you are carrying a jacket in your suitcase, in which you are going to speak at the conference, it will not be included in this amount", - said the press secretary of the State Customs Committee.
have read - 13930
More than five million international postal items received by Belarusians in 2017 - and this is only through the customs "Minsk-2". The more parcels - the more questions to customs officers about the order customs clearance and control, writes TUT.by with a link to the Customs Bulletin magazine. Tatyana Budnikova, Chief Inspector of the Customs Control Organization Department of the Minsk-2 Customs, answered the questions most often asked by recipients of parcels from abroad. (Spoiler: the questions are the same as they were two years ago.)
I ordered a parcel for 20 euros, and I was charged customs duties. Why?
Situation. I bought a product in the online store for 20 euros. Nothing else has been ordered for the past few months and nothing has been sent to me. When the parcel arrived, it turned out that customs payments had to be paid for it. Given that the cost of the ordered goods did not exceed 22 euros, please explain on what basis customs duties were charged?
Customs response. Determination of compliance with the duty-free norm for the import of international postal items (IGOs) is carried out by the customs authority based on the information declared by the declarant in the customs declaration, as well as received during customs control. In accordance with the customs legislation, the declarant of the IGO is the sender of the goods, and the postal document accompanying the IGO, in particular, the CN22 form declaration, is used as a customs declaration.
If, indeed, during the calendar month in which the goods arrived at the customs territory and were placed in temporary storage, no other parcels were received at your address and the duty-free import of IGOs by weight (no more than 10 kg) was not exceeded, you first need to clarify what information about the value of the goods was declared by the sender in the customs declaration.
If the value of the goods declared by the sender exceeded 22 euros, then the duty-free allowance was exceeded and customs duties must be paid in relation to the IGO. There may also be cases where, in accordance with the legislation in the field of customs, the value was determined by the customs authority independently in the amount of more than 22 euros on the basis of information at its disposal on the price of similar goods, for example, if there was no information in the documents accompanying the IGO about the value of the goods or there were reasonable grounds to believe that such documents contain unreliable information about the value.
I keep a record of orders from AliExpress, I do not exceed the limits, but sometimes payments are charged
Question. Knowing about the duty-free import of IGOs, I make sure that the value of my orders on AliExpress during the calendar month does not exceed the total amount of 22 euros. I keep track of my orders as soon as I place and pay for the purchase through the site, so I know for sure that I do not exceed the established limit of 22 euros. At the same time, customs payments are still sometimes charged for part of the parcels. Why is this happening?
Customs response. To control compliance with the norms of duty-free import of MPS, only the date of registration by the customs authority of the documents submitted by the postal operator for the placement of MPS for temporary storage is taken into account. That is, the date you ordered the goods on the site, the date you paid for it, or the date you actually received the IGO to determine compliance with the duty-free import norm during the calendar month do not affect. When monitoring compliance with the duty-free import of MPS sent to your address, the customs authority takes into account the cost of all goods in the MPS placed in temporary storage during the calendar month.
If you have questions about an international parcel, where can I contact?
Customs response. Depending on the nature of the questions you have, you must contact the postal operator (RUE "Belpochta") or the customs authorities.
In particular, RUE “Belpochta” should be contacted if the question concerns:
- the timing and procedure for processing, delivery, delivery to the recipient and return to the sender of the IGO;
- tracking systems on the website www.belpost.by, including in terms of displaying the status of IGOs and providing information about IGOs received by the recipient and presented for temporary storage within a calendar month;
- the need to clarify the missing data by the postal operator, the calculation of postage.
The competence of the customs authorities includes the following issues:
- customs declaration and customs control;
- prohibitions (restrictions) when sending across the customs border, duty-free import norms, calculation and payment of customs duties;
- decisions of the customs authority to release or refuse to release.
At the same time, for customs issues related to a specific IGO, it is necessary to contact the customs office in which the customs operations for this IGO. This can be found out by the information indicated in the “Office” column of the IGO search results table in the tracking system on the website www.belpost.by.
Why are parcels for several days placed at customs?
Question. On the Belpochta website (www.belpost.by) in the tracking system for my package, the status “Passing through the customs zone” has not changed for several days. Why is it so long under customs control?
Answer. After the receipt of postal items on the customs territory, the postal operator performs their preliminary processing, including weighing, clarification of missing information, formation in in electronic format lists, etc. Such actions are performed by the postal operator before the IGO is presented to the customs authority for customs control.
The specified status "Passing through the customs zone" means that the postal item is included by the postal operator in the list for subsequent transfer to the customs authorities. The date and time of acceptance by the customs authority of the IGO for customs control and the results of customs control can be found by clicking on the link https://webservices.belpost.by included in the text of the status "Passing through the customs zone" in relation to a particular IGO.
For questions related to the timing of the processing of IGOs, you must contact the Republican Unitary Enterprise of the postal service "Belpochta".
What prohibited items are found in parcels?
Question. What goods that are prohibited for movement in international postal items are detained at customs control?
Customs response. As a result of the customs control of postal items, in 2017, the Minsk-2 customs officers revealed 5 criminal offenses related to the smuggling of narcotic drugs, as well as 410 administrative offenses.
The most frequent subjects of offenses were: edged weapons (65 facts), medicines containing psychotropic substances (40 facts) cultural values(34 facts), currency, seeds of plants used in the manufacture of drugs (19 facts).
For several weeks now, passions on the new legislation in the field of postal items have not subsided on the Internet (and not only on it).
We have almost 10 times cut the "value" limit on international parcels. Now for those parcels that "cost" more than 22 euros and weigh more than 10 kilograms, you will have to pay a fee of 30 percent. Moreover, the total cost and weight are calculated for a month, and there is no gradation among the parcels.
That is, it does not matter at all whether goods ordered from foreign stores arrived, or gifts from relatives, friends and other acquaintances. For all the same rules.
The exception is the EAEU countries (Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan): in relation to parcels received from there, customs control is not carried out at all.
What is the reason for such a sharp limitation?
Government officials talk about the need to fight illegal sellers who receive large quantities of goods not for personal use, but for sale.
Vladimir Orlovsky Photo: belta.by
Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee Vladimir Orlovsky cites the following figures as an example:
“Last year, over 250,000 citizens of Belarus received from 10 to 100 or more parcels through MGOs from online stores. As the analysis showed, these goods were imported for commercial use.”
In addition, Chairman of the Council of the Republic Mikhail Myasnikovich believes that international parcels have collapsed Belarusian trade and created problems for Belarus, therefore he sees the protection of the national market in restrictive measures.
Why exactly 22 euros?
The answer to this question is even simpler: because such a hard limit is set in most European countries. We have no doubt that the Europeans are actively protecting their market, but nevertheless we decided to learn more about their best practices, as well as the experience of other leading countries of the world.
EU countries.
Almost all EU member states have the same rules, and they do include the amount of 22 euros. But! There is a certain gradation.
Firstly, 22 euros - the limit for those parcels sent from commercial organizations. For those that are transferred “from an individual to an individual” (that is, in other words, for gifts), another norm is set - 45 euros.
Secondly, the percentage of fees depends on the "value" of the parcel. Between 22 and 150 euros, only VAT is taken (the amount of tax is not the same for all countries, but fluctuates somewhere around 20 percent), more than 150 euros - VAT + customs duties.
The amount of customs duties depends on the type of goods. So, books are not taxed at all (by the way, they are only 7-9 percent VAT). In Germany, for example, tax exemptions Cell phones and smartphones, game consoles, digital cameras, flash drives. Tariffs range from 0 to 6.5 percent, bags - from 3 to 9.7, gold and silver jewelry - from 2.5 to 4, clothes - 12 percent ...
As for, at a cost of up to 700 euros, a reduced customs fee is charged (for example, Estonia - 2.5%). Naturally, within the EU, parcels are not taxed.
If we talk about exceptions, then the UK can be attributed to them: it is part of the EU for special conditions and therefore applies its own special rules. True, only the amounts differ here, but not the approach.
Photo: dic.academic.ru
The limit for commercial parcels is 15 pounds (about 19 euros), for gifts - 34 pounds (43 euros). For parcels up to 135 pounds (171 euros), as in other EU countries, only 20 percent VAT will be charged. If the “price” is higher, customs duties are also added (again, depending on what is being sent).
By the way, one more nuance: if the amount of all additional fees does not exceed 7 pounds (about 9 euros), then she just says goodbye.
Switzerland
As an example of a country that is in Europe, but not part of the EU.
Here, the duty-free limit is quite small - only 5 francs (approximately the same in euros). All commercial parcels of higher value are subject to VAT (8 percent, for books, magazines, medicines - 2.5 percent) and customs duties. The latter are calculated depending on the type of product and its weight (most often less than one franc per kilogram), and books, laptops and other electronics are not subject to duties.
Gifts are limited to 100 francs.
USA
Parcels arriving here must be clearly marked "as a gift" or "for personal use". At the same time, for some reason, the “gift” limit is two times lower - $ 100 as opposed to $ 200.
If the value of the parcel exceeds the specified amount of $ 200, but the customs service did not see goods for sale in the contents, VAT is not charged - only duties must be paid: from 0 to 37.5 percent, depending on what is delivered.
Canada
In this country, it also matters whether a person received a gift or an order from an online store. The limit for the first case is 60 Canadian dollars (a little more than 43 US dollars), for the second - 20 (approximately $14). In case of excess, VAT is paid from the difference (the tax differs depending on the region - from 5 to 15 percent) and customs duties. For the size of the latter, the country of dispatch and the type of goods are taken into account.
In addition, Canada with many countries ( South Korea, USA, EU, Israel ...) has signed free trade agreements, so parcels that come from there are not subject to any fees.
Japan
The approach is almost the same, only with different amounts. Parcels under 10,000 yen (about $90) are free of any taxes and fees. From 10,000 yen to 20,000 yen, reduced fare applies. If more - VAT (8 percent) + customs duties from 0 to 30 percent (as in the previous examples, depending on the type of product).
In general, all countries protect their market and impose limits on international parcels. But, as it turns out, some people know what specifically needs to be protected and to what extent.
And, of course, they can boast of their own production.
customs duty- this is mandatory payment, which is charged customs service for moving various goods across the border. In Belarus, customs duty on parcels must be paid if the limit on the weight and value of goods is exceeded.
Customs duty on parcels
Belarusians began to pay for exceeding the limits on parcels from April 14, 2016. Since that time, Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 40 dated February 11, 2016 has come into force.
If the goods in a parcel from abroad cost more than 22 euros and weigh more than 10 kilograms, then you have to pay a duty plus a fixed customs fee. These limits apply to individuals and goods for personal use. For excess, you will have to pay 15 percent of the amount in excess of 22 euros (but not less than 2 euros per kilogram).
Fixed customs fee - 5 .
There is also a monthly limit - 9 parcels with a total weight of 31 kilograms and an amount of 200 euros.
The exception is people with certain diseases approved by laws. Other limits apply for them - they can import specific medical preparations and dietary products up to the amount of 200 euros per month (weight up to 31 kilograms). That is, limits on one-time parcels do not apply to them.
The state provides certain categories of the population with the right to reimbursement of customs duties. In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 140 “On the Reimbursement of Customs Duties and Taxes”, the following are entitled to return 50% of the customs duty (once a year):
- disabled people of 1 and 2 health groups;
- parents of large families.
Why do we need customs duties in Belarus?
This is a measure that is needed to protect the Belarusian market from competitors from abroad. Another goal is the taxation of those citizens who use the transfers not for personal, but for commercial purposes.
The above rules apply to the import of goods from countries that are not members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). For example, from China and the website Aliexpress, beloved by Belarusians. The composition of the EAEU is Belarus, Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan.
Keep in mind that duties apply not only to parcels from stores, but also parcels from friends and relatives.
Customs duty changes in 2020
From January 1, 2020, the rules for receiving parcels in the Eurasian Economic Union have changed. Accordingly, innovations began to operate in Belarus.
The cost of a duty of 15% of the excess (minimum 2 euros per kilogram) began to operate only from January. Before that, you had to pay twice as much - 30% and at least 4 euros per kilogram.
Revision of the limit of customs duties for China and other countries of 22 euros and 10 kilograms is not yet planned.
By the way, the changes affected not only customs duties on parcels, but also on the independent import of goods. For example, the concept of "indivisible goods" has been abolished. Now all goods are included in the total amount, and not separately, as it was before. The limit of 500 euros and 25 kg works for those who leave Belarus less than every three months. For more frequent trips - 300 euros and 20 kg.
An example of calculating customs duties in the Republic of Belarus
If the one-time limit of parcels is exceeded - 22 euros and 10 kilograms, then you will have to pay 15% (at least 2 euros per kilogram). How to calculate excess amount and excess weight? Let's look at an example.
Option 1. Excess amount. A parcel was received at customs, whose value was estimated at 50 euros. Weight is within the normal range. Exceeding 28 euros (50-22). From this amount, 15% (28x0.15) is calculated. It turns out 4.2 euros. Don't forget the fixed fee of 5 euros. In general, you will have to pay 9.2 euros.
Calculation formula: Customs fee = (amount of parcel - 22)x0.15
Option 2. Excess weight. A parcel worth 20 euros and weighing 20 kilograms arrived at the customs point. Excess weight - 10 kg (20-10). This means that excess weight must be increased by the 2020 tariff (2 euros per kg). It turns out 20 euros (10x2) and a fixed amount of 5 euros. In general, you will have to pay 25 euros.
Calculation formula: Customs fee = (package weight - 10) x2
If both the monthly and one-time norms are exceeded, then the customs will offer to pay a large amount.
There are special customs duty calculators. But it is better to calculate the amount yourself or contact the customs authority.
The amount of customs duty can be paid at the Belpochta offices.
What does the law say?
- Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 40 dated February 11, 2016;
- APPENDIX No. 2 to the Decision of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission dated December 20, 2017 No. 107;
- Methodology for calculating customs duties from the Minsk Regional Customs;
- Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated April 10, 2019 No. 140 "On the reimbursement of customs duties and taxes".
Popular questions
How much can I order goods from China?
Single order - 22 euros and 10 kilograms. The monthly limit is 200 euros and 31 kilograms.
How to calculate the limit of 1 month?
The monthly limit is calculated based on the calendar month, not the month from the first order. That is, the number of parcels from January 1 to January 31 or from February 1 to February 29 is taken into account.
Which document regulates the introduction of customs duties for parcels?
The main decree on customs duties is Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 40 dated February 11, 2016.
Do I need to pay duty for a package from friends or relatives, and not from stores?
Yes, if the one-time or monthly limit is exceeded.
How is the shipping cost determined?
Customs focuses on the information provided by the sender - the seller, relative or acquaintance. If there is no evaluation information or there are some doubts about the veracity of such information, the customs authority evaluates the goods in the parcel on its own.
Does the shipping cost include the shipping cost?
No, only the price of goods is taken into account. The amount for insurance of goods is also not taken into account.
For packages from which countries do I need to pay a fee?
For parcels from countries that are not members of the Eurasian Economic Union. The union includes: Belarus, Russia, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan.
Brief conclusions
- Customs duty - a fee for the movement of goods across the border.
- customs duty in Belarus, you need to pay if the limit of 22 euros and 10 kg (for one parcel) or the limit of 200 euros and 31 kg (amount for one calendar month) is exceeded.
- If both limits are exceeded, you need to pay the larger amount.
- From January 1, 2020, for excess, you need to pay not 30% and 4 euros per kilogram, but 15% and 2 euros per kilogram.
- Regarding the cost of the parcel, the customs authority is guided by the information of the sender.
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