In Belarus, many fans of online shopping are frozen in anticipation of the upcoming future. Expectations stem from the fact that goods priced above 22 euros will have to pay a significant duty. In February 2016, the head of state issued decree number 40, significantly complicating purchases on Aliexpress. Before this, any international mail items whose price did not exceed 200 euros could be received without paying duty. However, in mid-April, its size was reduced almost tenfold and reached only 22 euros. As a result, we saw how a tax on Aliexpress appeared in Belarus.

Belarus is a member of the Customs Union; each member state of the union must obey unified legislation. And yet, life doesn’t always turn out the way it does on paper. Due to a shortage of funds in the country, the Prime Minister still managed to promote a tax on online purchases. For comparison, in the neighboring Russian Federation you can purchase products for up to a thousand euros. Moreover, it cannot be said that everything is in order with the economy in Russia.

Features of tax in Belarus on Aliexpress

Let's look at the details of the new tax on Aliexpress in Belarus. Since April of this year, every citizen of the country can receive an international item by mail worth over 22 euros, its maximum weight is limited to 10 kilograms. If the parcel does not fit into these restrictions, then you need to pay customs duty, the amount of which is 30% of the assessed price or for each kilogram exceeding 4 euros. The calculation is made from the option above. Most often, duties are imposed precisely on excess value.

Although the amount collected is unusually large, the authorities did not stop there. In addition, you will need to pay a customs clearance fee of 5 euros. This fee is fixed and is not affected by the price of the parcel.

Let's look at an example. For example, a user decided to purchase a tablet for 140 euros. As a result, you will need to pay 40.4 euros at customs. Of which 5 euros is a fixed fee for customs clearance, and 35.4 euros is a customs duty. It is calculated by subtracting from 140 euros 22 euros, which are not subject to tax, and the resulting 118 euros are subject to a 30 percent duty.

Possibility to avoid paying tax

There are a number of simple methods that will help you avoid paying tax on Aliexpress Belarus in 2017 and 2018. Let's look at them in detail.

You can make purchases within limits, taking into account monthly limits. If you are used to buying often, then transactions can be made for friends and relatives. Sellers from the Middle Kingdom send goods to different addresses and to different people. In this case, you will not have to pay tax on Aliexpress in Belarus.

You can use the services of Shopfans. The company provides clients with a Moscow address, after which it delivers purchases to Minsk.

You can negotiate on a personal level with the seller so that he indicates a reduced price for the goods. However, it must be taken into account that if there is a strong undervaluation, customs will detect this and set their own price.

The business portal website provides information about the work of various online stores. The page informs about the features of product delivery through Russian Post. Find out how to avoid common problems. When purchasing goods through Chinese online stores, you need to pay for them somehow. How to do it, .

If you are just preparing for your first purchase from AliExpress, then this article is for you! There are several nuances when ordering goods from China to Belarus.

You will have to try to meet some monetary limits and weight standards. Let's discuss the restriction on parcels to Belarus and how long can you order from abroad in 2020? You will also learn how you can avoid paying tax on Aliexpress.

Taxes and Duties on Parcels from AliExpress to Belarus

How much can I order on Aliexpress to Belarus?

There is no limit specifically on the number of parcels ordered per person per year or month. However, the tax on purchases from Aliexpress to Belarus will have to be paid if you exceed the monthly rate of duty-free import of goods for personal use in international mail of 200 euros and 31 kg (total of all parcels for the month) or the one-time rate of one shipment of 22 euros and 10 kg.

To put it simply: Alexander Lukashenko signed decree No. 490 “On customs regulation” on December 22, 2018. Now in a calendar month you can gain a total of 200 euros and 31 kg, but the cost of your ONE-TIME parcel should not exceed 22 euros and weigh no more than 10 kg. Otherwise: the duty will be 30% of the excess amount, plus a fixed customs fee of 5 euros is paid, and also postal services when paying for all this stuff

How is excess weight calculated? 4 euros per 1 kilogram over ten allowed. Below in the article we will look at everything in more detail using specific examples using an online calculator.

Calculation of customs duties on parcels

Use our simple online calculator to calculate the cost of parcel tax. Move the sliders and find out the amount of your duty on a parcel from Aliexpress.

1. Let’s say the price of a product on the official website is 100 euros, and it weighs 5 kilograms (within the permissible limit of 10 kg).
2. Excess by 78 euros (100-22=78). This means that 30% of this amount will be 23.4 euros - This is your duty.
3. But don’t forget about the customs fee of 5 euros.
4. In total you have to pay 28.4 euros (5+23.4=28.4).

If your order exceeds the norm in weight, and not in cost, then it’s even easier to calculate. 4 euros are charged for each kilogram exceeded. Such restrictions apply not only to the Aliexpress website, but also to other popular foreign stores.

The cost of any item sent from Aliexpress is fixed on the parcel. If a customs officer has doubts about the seller’s honesty or the price is not indicated at all, then he uses price data on similar goods on the market. Special catalogs are used for this.

How do customs assess the value of a parcel? (photo by onliner.by editors)

During the assessment, were your rights violated and the wrong fee was assigned? You can do it easily. In the status of your parcel there is the inscription “For transfer to customs, you need to clarify the data” on the official website of BelPost at the link https://webservices.belpost.by.

There you will have to provide detailed information in the “Form to fill out” field, otherwise the shipment will be sent back to the seller. Just be sure to prepare official documents about the purchase (sales receipt, agreement with the seller, payment receipt, etc.). Customs officers can give you a complete list of documents over the phone.

Paid storage of parcels at BelPochta

Surprised? There is such a tariff for storing parcels in Belarus and it has been in effect since March 27, 2017. However, this option was activated only on February 1, 2018. Since then, all Belpochta branches have charged a fee for storing international items. Information about this was published on their official website.

For storing a postal item (parcel, small package or letter with a declared value, express mail) in a postal facility, the addressee is charged a fee of 0.36 Belarusian rubles for each day of delay after 7 calendar days following the day the postal item was received at the post office Belposhta.

Like any other normal country, we have a list of goods prohibited for import from abroad. Most of them are quite obvious and understandable. However, some popular and harmless products on Aliexpress are also prohibited. To avoid unpleasant embarrassment, check out the list of goods that will definitely not be allowed through our border.

• Weapons and ammunition. Troubles may arise with knives, optical sights and other ambiguous objects. Parts of military weapons will not pass customs clearance either.
• It is also better not to buy spying equipment on Aliexpress. This is a particularly controversial point: sometimes even telephones, sound recording devices, cameras and communication jammers are not allowed through. The decision depends solely on the adequacy of the customs officer.
• Alcohol products, ethyl and other types of alcohol.
• It is not permissible to transport items that pose a potential danger to post office workers. Also things that stain and break customs equipment.
• Documents and personal correspondence, as well as other people's correspondence.
• Printed and audio materials that could harm the Republic of Belarus, its state security and sovereignty, economic and political interests are prohibited.
• Tobacco products. On the official website of Aliexpress there are many accessories for hookahs and various smoking mixtures;
• Belarusian customs will not allow diamonds and other precious minerals, unprocessed ores, stones and other natural raw materials through.
• Dietary supplements, sports nutrition and other goods prohibited for import into Belarus. You can find out their full list on the official website of the customs of Belarus. Although, at their own peril and risk, Belarusians easily order thousands of parcels with vitamins and dietary supplements from the same famous site iHerb, and only a small fraction of them end up with the parcel being opened.
• It is prohibited to import items of an obscene or immoral nature.
• You will not be able to order generally recognized cultural property from Aliexpress to the address of an individual.
• Plant seeds and the flowers themselves are carefully checked. Place your order with caution and check whether the selected flower is classified as prohibited. Wild medicinal raw materials and plants that may contain narcotic substances are monitored especially strictly.
• You cannot transport live animals either. The only exceptions will be leeches, bees and some types of worms.
• It is strictly prohibited to transport human blood, organs or tissue across the border.
• Hazardous scrap, explosive, ozone depleting and radioactive substances. You cannot send perishable goods, as well as all other objects that could cause potential harm to others.

As we said earlier, it is possible to successfully forward a parcel without paying customs duties only under certain conditions. The weight of one unit should not exceed 10 kilograms, and the price should be within 22 euros. But there are several ways to avoid this restriction and order from the Chinese Aliexpress store beyond these restrictions.

1. Ask the seller to indicate the lower value in the declaration. Although this is not the most reliable method, because customs officials can order a price examination of the goods, it is unrealistic to check all hundreds of thousands of parcels from China.
2. Place orders not only for yourself, but also for your family or friends from the next door. This will make it convenient to split up many small orders with a large total cost;
3. You can order goods from your friends in other countries of the Customs Union (Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan). If you place a particularly large order, you can save a lot;
4. You can select products from the “Mall” section on Aliexpress. It presents things that are already stored in warehouses in Russia. With this method of ordering, you will receive the ordered item within a month. In addition, goods from Russia do not have a limit of 22 euros. But don’t rush to rejoice: many suppliers from this section do not ship items outside the Russian Federation;
5. Use an intermediary. Yes, Mail Forwarding has appeared in Belarus - this is a service of using the warehouse address of an intermediary company when independently making a purchase abroad. This is how Pochtipochta has been operating in the Republic of Belarus for a long time (as a rule, parcels are delivered from Moscow). They also charge a percentage for the goods, but the price is much less than the customs duty. Read more below.

AlmostPochta - Duty-free parcels with a limit of 200 euros

One of the most popular questions in the comments: how to order from Aliexpress for more than 22 euros and not pay duty? Here Belarusians are saved by the AlmostPochta postal service.

AlmostPochta - Duty-free parcels with a limit of 200 euros

AlmostPochta itself accepts your parcels to its warehouse in Moscow (where the customs limit is 200 euros per parcel) and delivers to Belarus within 1-5 days at a price of $4 per parcel. This way you get rid of the duty and can buy in any online stores, including Mall on Aliexpress (which does not deliver purchases to Belarus directly).

From April 14, 2016, the norms for duty-free receipt of goods by post have changed in the Republic of Belarus. Without paying customs duties, one person is allowed to receive property worth no more than 22 euros and weighing up to 10 kilograms. Parcels that do not fit within the established limit are not prohibited, however, the amount exceeding the permissible norms is subject to customs duty, in addition, payment of a fixed customs fee becomes mandatory.

The above restrictions are established in Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 40 dated February 11, 2016.

Payments for parcels to individuals exceeding the established standards are paid in the same way as commercial consignments of goods. Currently, the customs duty is (in most cases) 30% of the cost, but not less than 4 euros per 1 kg of weight in excess of the cost and (or) weight standards. The amount of customs duty depends on the type of product, for example, for a telephone you will have to pay 5 euros.

The calculation mechanism can be visualized as a simple arithmetic problem:

• Parcel cost: 100 euros;
• Amount exceeding the limit: 100 - 22 = 78 euros;
• 30% of 78 euros = 23.4 euros;
• Customs duty - 5 euros;
• Total: 23.4 + 5 = 28.4 euros.

In case of exceeding the limit in weight, but not in cost, the calculation is even simpler: 4 euros for each kilogram in excess of 10 allowed.

The recipient of the parcel will be able to learn about accrued customs duties from the telecom operator. You can also pay them at the post office upon receipt of the goods.

Limits and duties on parcels are usually considered as a kind of protective measures to protect the domestic market from cheaper imported goods, as well as a way of taxing citizens who purchase commercial quantities of goods under the guise of things for personal use. All imposed restrictions are aimed mainly against online stores in non-CIS countries. However, officially all parcels from abroad are in the same position, i.e. even gifts from foreign relatives may be subject to duties and fees.

It is worth warning here that deliberately underestimating the cost of a parcel becomes, at the very least, a thankless task. Customs authorities have sufficient information about the price range of most common goods

The opinion that mail from abroad harms the domestic economy and contributes to illegal enrichment was expressed by Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich, several months before the signing of Decree No. 40. Such statements have met with much criticism. In particular, it was stated that 80 - 90% of Belarusians do not receive parcels from abroad. That a significant portion of imported goods arriving by mail are not produced in the Republic. And finally, they reminded us of the “transparency” of the internal borders of the Customs Union. Thanks to this, recipients of commercial consignments of goods or simply expensive parcels can order them to an address in Russia or another country of the Customs Union (where the cost limits are hundreds of times higher) and pay for shipping services to Belarus. No increase in revenue due to the new rules has yet been reported. According to online surveys, the majority of respondents intend to refuse expensive parcels from abroad. This does not guarantee a commensurate increase in budget revenues, but it is certainly unpleasant for domestic buyers.

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Now in 2020, the so-called tax on parcels from China and other countries to Belarus works clearly and is 100% efficient. The only good news is that Alexander Lukashenko signed decree No. 490 “On customs regulation” on December 22, 2018, which slightly improved the situation for shopaholics.

The new law increases the monthly norm for duty-free import of goods into Belarus for personal use in international postal items from 22 euros and 10 kg to 200 euros and 31 kg (in total), while maintaining the one-time norm for one item in the amount of 22 euros and 10 kg.

So how much can I buy from abroad?

The one-time limit for one parcel remains the same - up to 22 euros!!! But in total, you can order 200 euros worth of such parcels in a month without consequences.

Orders that do not meet the established limit are not prohibited, but the amount exceeding this limit is subject to customs tax. In addition, it will become mandatory to pay a fixed customs fee, usually in the amount of five euros.

What will happen to me if I exceeded the order limits from AliExpress and other foreign stores?

Payments for parcels to individuals that exceed the total norm of 200 euros per month are considered commercial consignments of goods and are therefore subject to a customs duty of 30% of the excess price.

And let's not get confused! Additionally, you must pay customs duty. Its value depends on the type of product. For example, you need to pay an additional 5 euros for a telephone (and for most of your orders the additional payment will be exactly that).

Parcel duty calculator

Our customs duties calculator for parcels will easily help you calculate the amount of tax per shipment of 22 euros and 10 kg (not to be confused with the new total monthly limit of 200 euros).

Just indicate the price for the parcel and its weight. Please note that all calculations are provided for informational purposes only.

Also, the calculation of customs tax can be easily calculated manually without a calculator for parcels from abroad:

• For example, the price of the parcel: 100 euros and weight: 2 kg (no more than 10 kg);
• Excess: 100 – 22 = 78 euros;
• 30% of the amount received is 23.4 euros;
• Customs duty – 5 euros;
• The total duty on the parcel will be: 23.4 + 5 = 28.4 euros.

If there is an excess in weight, and not in cost, it will be even easier to calculate: 4 euros per 1 kg in excess of 10 allowed. All these restrictions apply to any foreign online stores: Aliexpress, EBay, ASOS, Amazon, iHerb, Shein and many others.

Where and how to pay tax on parcels in Belarus?

You can check with your postal operator about customs duties. The fee is paid at the delivery point of the RUE "Belpochta".

Limits and duties on parcels in Belarus are a kind of protection of the domestic market from the cheapest imports from China, the USA and other countries. Plus a method of taxation of citizens who purchase goods for commercial purposes.

These limits are directed against foreign online stores, so that ordering from Aliexpress to Belarus would be unprofitable. Moreover, all parcels from foreign countries are in this situation (even gifts from relatives from abroad are subject to tax).

Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich spoke about the harm of foreign mail to the country's economy and that this is illegal enrichment. Such statements met with a lot of criticism, because most imported products are not produced or even sold in Belarus.

In the end, they remembered the “transparency” of the internal borders of the Customs Union. Recipients of commercial goods or expensive parcels will order them to Russia or another CU country and pay for shipping to Belarus.

We warn you that deliberately reducing the cost of a parcel is a thankless task. Customs owns the price range of many popular products!

How to track a parcel from China (and other countries) to Belarus? There is such an opportunity on the official website of Belposhta.

All registered foreign and local postal items are tracked using a special track number.

Postal code markings:

• R-BY (Rx012345675BY) – small correspondence;
• C—BY (Cx012345675BY) – standard package;
• E-BY (Ex012345675BY) – international express correspondence EMS;
• A—BY (Ax012345675BY) is our internal mail of the Republic of Belarus.

It is very easy to track your parcel on the Belposhta website. Either immediately follow this link: https://webservices.belpost.by/searchRu.aspx, or find the item “Mail tracking” in the left menu and click on it.

On the page that opens there is a form for entering the parcel departure number. We enter the track number received on the website of a foreign or local online store and click the “Search” button.

When do you need to pay the duty?

If the status of the parcel contains the inscription “For transfer to customs, it is necessary to clarify the data,” you will have to indicate detailed information in the “Form to fill out” field, otherwise the shipment will be sent back to the seller. Customs needs this data when recording shipments received by an individual from abroad within a month within the limit of 200 euros.

Information about customs checks and fees (30% of exceeding the limit plus 5 euros for documentation) will be available on a new page.

Watch the video below: How are parcels from abroad checked?

Paid parcel storage

From February 1, 2018, Belposhta branches will charge a fee for storing international items. Information about this was published on their official website.

If any international parcel is not claimed for more than 7 calendar days at Belposhta branches, you need to pay 0.36 BYN. rubles for each day of delay.

As you know, duty-free import of parcels from abroad to Belarus is limited to a one-time rate of 22 euros and 10 kg per shipment. And in total per month up to 200 euros and 31 kg.

There are 3 popular options to avoid this limit.

1. Ask the seller to indicate a lower price for goods

You can just come to an agreement. And the sender will indicate the lowest price for the product. For example, 20 dollars for a Chinese phone with a real cost of $150.

But keep in mind that customs officers evaluate the parcel in their own way. They calculate the average price of the goods in the country from which the parcel arrived and set the current price tag. In this case, an examination will be appointed.

And after it, you will still have to pay customs duties for parcels to Belarus from the same AliExpress or American iHerb. But to do this, they will have to open each package, which will delay processing for years to come. Surely no one will do that!

2. Order parcels for friends in another country

You can also consider an order for a resident (relative or friend) of the Customs Union country (,), who will send it to you from there. And these costs will be much lower than the duty.

Or order a parcel to a Russian office “on demand” somewhere in the border zone of the Smolensk or Bryansk region. Thus, you can bypass the Belarusian limit. A very popular method especially among those who live near Russia.

3. Mail Forwarding came to Belarus together with AlmostPochta

Mail Forwarding (or “Your address abroad”, hereinafter abbreviated as MF) is a service of using the warehouse address of an intermediary company when making a purchase abroad yourself. This is paid, but the price is much less than the fee. Please note that the address is chosen in the countries of the Customs Union in order to avoid paying tax.

Before you use one of the tips, remember a simple rule: any attempt to circumvent the law can result in trouble.

The best online stores with delivery to Belarus

These are the best shopping malls you don't have to worry about! Your parcels will definitely arrive, there will be no fraud with bank cards or unexpected additional fees during ordering.

1. Aliexpress.com is the most popular online store among Belarusians! People can order clothes, shoes, gadgets, cosmetics, perfumes, toys, jewelry, dishes, household goods and thousands of other items from Aliexpress. Aliexpress unites hundreds of thousands of sellers from different parts of China and other countries, resulting in insane competition with very low prices for all goods. There are both paid and free AliExpress delivery to Belarus, on average 2-4 weeks.
2. iHerb.com is the most popular online store from the USA, specializing in environmentally friendly products, vitamins and organic cosmetics of impeccable quality. Regular discounts and the absence of intermediaries during purchases make prices for many goods significantly lower than in local stores. iHerb delivers orders all over the world, including Belarus. Read more about ordering on iHerb.
3. Shein.com
   is one of the world's leading online stores of fashionable clothing and accessories. Shein is an incredible find for girls! Fashionable dresses, tops, skirts, jeans, jewelry - your eyes will run wild at the variety of styles, trends, colors and original design solutions. Delivery from the Shein store to Belarus is very fast and economical. See all the details on the official website in Russian.
4. eBay.com
   is a major global online auction with tens of millions of simultaneously auctioned lots in more than 3 thousand categories. eBay has about thirty branches around the world. The strength of the site is the eBay purchase protection system with payment via PayPal. The buyer will be able to get a refund for everything, including shipping, if the item was received in poor condition.
5. Amazon.com
   is the largest hypermarket offering absolutely everything with worldwide delivery from the USA. In the Amazon online store you can buy both food products and industrial machines for production. Belarusians order Kindle e-books, small household appliances, children's toys, food, household goods, sports equipment and much more.

What do we have? Top 10 popular Belarusian online stores

Among the well-known Belarusian hypermarkets operating online, we can highlight several of the most reliable and time-tested ones. They offer quality products and affordable payment methods without additional fees or customs obligations.

1. Lamoda is one of the popular clothing and footwear stores in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. The range of products is quite wide - outerwear, underwear, blouses, tops, skirts, trousers, dresses, shoes and much more. The store's catalogs present various collections of inexpensive and premium brand brands. Lamoda offers its customers constant discounts and sends many promotional codes that pleasantly reduce the prices of goods. Free delivery with try-on at home for up to 7 items.
2. – hypermarket of equipment, electronics, goods for auto, garden and personal hygiene. It has been operating on the Belarusian market for 15 years. Often products can be purchased at attractive discounts. 21st Century provides its clients with a wide range of payment options - cash, non-cash, bank cards and installment cards. Delivery of goods within Belarus is free for orders over 75 rubles. For a smaller purchase amount, the goods will be delivered for a fee, or you can pick them up for free from a pick-up point.
3. 5 Element is a leading home appliances and electronics store with a wide range of products. The bonus program will be interesting for regular customers. The store offers online payment by bank cards, through the ERIP system, cash upon delivery or pickup. You can also purchase in installments or on credit. Goods over 50 rubles, ordered online or by phone, will be delivered free of charge throughout Belarus, or it can be picked up in one of the many offline stores of the 5 Element network.
4. Kit.by is a large online store of plumbing and related products: bathroom furniture, kitchen products, tiles. There is a nice bonus program. You can pay for the ordered goods in various ways: online, through ERIP, by bank transfer, in cash upon courier delivery, as well as with bank cards in installments. Orders for a large amount are delivered free of charge, for a small amount - for a fee, there is the possibility of self-pickup in Minsk.
5. Xiaomi Belarus is a mono-brand online store of a popular Chinese brand. It presents a fairly modest assortment of fashionable gadgets, accessories and other Xiaomi products. The ordered product can be paid in various ways - cash, online by bank card or some installment cards, through ERIP and from a mobile phone account. You can pick up your order at a pick-up point, or from a courier - with paid or free delivery.
6. i-Store is the only official partner of Apple in Belarus with Apple Premium Reseller status. At low prices you can buy an iPhone, Mac computer or iPad tablet, as well as other Apple equipment and accessories for it. Pickup is free from the i-Store store (Minsk, Lenin St., 5 or Pobediteley Ave., 9 or Pritytskogo St., 156), own delivery by courier in Minsk or delivery throughout Belarus by Autolight Express service.
7. Expedition is an online store of a popular travel brand. Specializes in outdoor products, auto products and original gifts. Payment for purchases is possible with bank cards online, some installment cards, through ERIP, cash or by bank transfer. Courier delivery operates in large cities; in other populated areas, goods are sent via mail.
8. E-delivery is a popular online hypermarket of food and consumer goods in Belarus. Purchases are selected into the shopping cart on the website, and once the amount reaches 35 rubles, it becomes possible to deliver them free of charge by courier to major cities of Belarus and their environs. You can pay for goods in cash (courier or at the post office), bank cards and installment cards online or upon receipt of purchases. Customers of the store can participate in the “Luck to boot” lottery.
9. Padarunki BY is an online store of gifts and souvenirs from world-famous brands such as: VICTORINOX (penknives from Switzerland), PARKER (writing instruments), ZIPPO (legendary lighters from the USA) and much more. Delivery by courier in Minsk or pickup from the office-shop at the address: st. Vostochnaya, 133. Orders are sent throughout Belarus by BelPocht or Globel24 courier service.
10. Sundays is an online store of goods for recreation and gardening. A discount program and cash back are available to customers. Payment is possible online by bank cards and installment cards, in cash and by bank transfer, through ERIP. Goods are delivered free of charge only in Minsk and the surrounding area. Pickup is possible from points in the Minsk region. There is paid delivery throughout Belarus - using special courier services or Belposhta.

It is worth noting that the local Belarusian online sales market does not stand still. More and more new players are appearing, approaching the quality and prices of their foreign counterparts.

Top Russian online stores are also opening their branches, for example, Lamoda.by, whose prices for the same branded clothing are not at all bad. This means that the need to buy new sneakers or panties from the same Chinese Shein.com will gradually disappear.

What will happen to the duty from January 1, 2020?

From January 1, 2020, the customs duty for overweight parcels in Belarus, including in all EAEU countries, will be reduced to 15% of the price of the imported parcel, but not less than 2 euros per 1 kilogram of weight for exceeding the limit.

Do you have any questions? Write in the comments (I answer as quickly as possible). Enjoy your shopping without unnecessary overpayments!

On April 14, Decree No. 40 came into force in Belarus. Now Belarusians will be able to receive parcels worth up to €22 and weighing up to 10 kilograms per month without paying duty. The new limits for those who often travel abroad will be €300 and 20 kilograms. More than three weeks ago, the State Customs Committee answered questions from Onliner.by readers. On the day the decree came into force, we decided to repeat this material.

Parcels

Transporting goods across the border

How will customs determine the value of parcels?

Before answering questions about determining the cost of parcels, the State Customs Committee noted that Decree No. 40 did not change anything in terms of determining the customs value of imported goods.

- We emphasize that these norms are still in effect today,- noted customs officers.

How is the State Customs Committee going to determine the cost of parcels? Will you need to provide some information about the actual amount of the purchase or will you be tracking online payments? For example, I ordered goods on AliExpress for $2-3. When I received the parcel, the sticker that was on the package indicated the amount of $10 (apparently, this already includes duties and shipping by the seller), and I find out this final amount only when I receive the parcel, and not when ordering.

The customs value is calculated based on the documents accompanying the parcel, as well as the declared value of the international postal item (IPO), which is indicated by the sender in the documents established by the acts of the Universal Postal Union. If the customs value is not indicated or if the customs authority has reasonable reasons to believe that the submitted documents and (or) information are not reliable, the customs official, guided by paragraph 2 of Article 361 of the Customs Code of the Customs Union (CU CU), determines the customs value of the goods on the basis of price information available to the customs authority for similar goods, including on the basis of data indicated in the catalogs of foreign companies engaged in retail sales of similar goods.

The promotional item was purchased for €20. The parcel arrived in two weeks, a month, and this product already costs €35 on the website. How will customs assess the value? What facts must be presented?

On AliExpress, for example, the cost of the same product can fluctuate greatly. I recently purchased an item that cost $22. But you can find the same one for $25 or even $40. Question: Will the inspector believe my price of $22 or will he just point to the first one he comes across? Or will he go to the manufacturer’s website, where the price may even be indicated at $50? (Eugene)

An individual has the right to prove the accuracy of the information submitted to determine the customs value. To do this, he must provide documents confirming the declared value (contract, specification, invoice, sales receipt, payment receipt, etc.).

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. Further).

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.

And if I don’t agree with the cost of the parcel, can I challenge it?

If, when issuing an MPO, the cost and weight limits were not exceeded and this MPO was issued by the postal operator to the recipient, the customs value of such goods cannot subsequently be revised.

But 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.

What import standards will apply to international mail ordered before the adoption of Decree No. 40, but arriving in the Republic of Belarus after the new version of Decree No. 360 came into force?

The date of registration of documents submitted in accordance with the customs legislation of the EAEU for placing such goods in temporary storage is taken into account.

Thus, the norms of Decree No. 40 will apply to international mail placed in temporary storage since April 14, 2016.

For goods imported into the IPO and placed in temporary storage until April 13 (inclusive), duty-free import rates of €200 and 31 kilograms are applied.

If the amount is indicated in Russian rubles, then at what rate will the conversion into euros be carried out? Will it be necessary to pay a duty if during the delivery of the goods the amount exceeded the limit due to the growth of the Russian ruble against the euro? (Kristina Malinovskaya)

The exchange rates of the US dollar and euro to the currency of the EAEU member state are calculated on the day of registration of the customs receipt order.

Will duties be charged on parcels that were sent, for example, in March, but will arrive after April 14? (Vadim)

Yes, they will, if the customs value of the goods sent exceeds the duty-free import standards established by Decree No. 40.

Is it possible to order parcels to one address, but for several family members?

Good afternoon. A few questions for now. Will it be considered exceeding the limit if I order goods from China, paying for it with my card, to the same address for each family member: son (6 years old), mother, me. Can you order €22 per month for each of them?

The specified norm is calculated for each recipient upon receipt of goods at his address.

Is it possible to order several parcels per month duty-free for one person, so that the total amount is no more than €22 per month, or will it be possible to order only one parcel? Thank you in advance. (Olga Belskaya)

You can order several parcels if the total limits on cost (€22) and weight (10 kilograms) are not exceeded.

I ordered goods for $100 in January (when I was not aware of the tax). The goods took a long time to arrive, got to customs - and there were new limits. Is it possible to refuse the goods and not pay? (Alyaksey)

In case of refusal to receive the goods, the goods will be sent back; in this case, customs duties will not be payable.

Do I need to pay duty on gifts?

How will parcels (gifts) from abroad (USA) from close relatives be taxed? How much can gifts be sent to them and how often? (Anatoly Shumko)

I thought about sending parcels to my mother and sister, since you can’t buy much from us. How will this law work here if it is my help? (Vadim)

Decree No. 40 does not provide for any specifics (separate norms) for sending this category of goods (gifts). If the total amount exceeds the equivalent of €22 and the total weight of 10 kilograms, they will be subject to customs duties at the rate of 30% of the customs value in part of the excess, but not less than €4 per 1 kilogram.

How will duties be calculated if limits are exceeded?

Goods whose customs value exceeds €22 and/or whose weight exceeds 10 kilograms will be subject to customs duties. For example, on Amazon.com I ordered an external WD hard drive costing $90 (or €82) - a little more than 4 times the excess. What duty will have to be paid in this case? (Lesha Gorenkov)

In relation to goods for personal use sent to the MPO and or delivered by the carrier during a calendar month to the address of the individual recipient of the goods, to the extent that duty-free import standards established by Decree No. 40 are exceeded, customs payments will be subject to payment at the rate of 30% of the customs value of the goods, but not less than €4 per 1 kilogram.

If the cost of the goods sent to the MPO for personal use is $90 (which is equivalent to €82) and the weight does not exceed 10 kilograms and no other goods were sent to the address of this individual during the calendar month, then the amount of customs duties payable will be calculated as follows : (€82 − €22) × 30% + €5 (customs fee for customs operations) - and will be €23.

The product costs $34, and shipping from the USA is $98. Weight - 8 kilograms. How much will the duty be charged? (Yuri Sobol)

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.

The amount of customs duties payable will be €8.1: ($34 × 20,980 (dollar to Belarusian ruble exchange rate) / 22,100 (Belarusian ruble to euro exchange rate)) − €22) × 30% + €5 (customs duty) = € 8.09.

How are additional duties assessed on multiple parcels? For example: three parcels were ordered with an equivalent cost of €22, €5 and €1. They all come at different times, but in the same month. We pick up the parcel for €22 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 duty of €5 and payment for postal services in this regard. (Savchenko Evgeniy)

Let's assume that all three parcels weigh up to 10 kilograms. After the duty-free release of an MPO valued at €22, in respect of subsequent MPOs received by the same individual, customs duties and a customs fee for customs operations are subject to payment upon the release of each MPO.

In relation to the second MPO, customs duties in the amount of €6.5 will be payable: €5 (customs value of goods) × 30% + €5 (customs duty).

The amount of customs duties in relation to the third MPO will be €5.3: €1 × 30% + €5.

Does the €22 amount include delivery costs (for example, the product itself costs €2, and the shipping cost (EMS to Belarus) costs €35)?

No, shipping costs are not included.

Where can I pay duties and taxes on parcels?

Hello, please ask the State Customs Committee a question: how to pay the duty? That is, will it be possible to pay directly at the post office or will I have to go somewhere to do this? And what should those who live not in Minsk do?

Customs duties are payable by the recipient at the post office where the MPO will be issued. The recipient is informed of the need to pay customs duties by the postal operator.

How do I know that customs has a package for me (no tracking number)? Is there an option to view it somewhere on the Internet by phone number and address?

To obtain information about the delivery of MPO to the Republic of Belarus, its presentation to the customs authority, the number of MPO received by the recipient during a calendar month, their cost and weight, you must contact the national postal operator - RUE Belpochta.

It turns out that having ordered one parcel worth €22, I will only be able to receive the next one in a month. But how do I know how long the package will take? She can be in Minsk either in a week or in a month or more. What if another package of similar value arrives, but ordered a month later? Pay a fee? (Maxim Zelkowski)

Decree No. 360 determines that in order to monitor compliance with the norms for the import of goods sent to MPOs that are exempt from customs duties, customs authorities take into account the date of registration of MPOs in a temporary storage warehouse.

Do I need to pay duties on parcels from Russia and Kazakhstan?

Do these limits apply to parcels from the SES countries - Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan (are the SES countries considered abroad)? (Denis Gulin)

It should be assumed that your question concerns IGOs ​​sent between member states of the EAEU, which currently includes the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation.

In this case, such MPOs are considered intra-Union postal items, are not subject to customs control, and customs operations are not carried out in relation to them. And no customs duties are paid.

What is the limit on packages for minors?

Please clarify the possibility of receiving parcels with an estimated value of up to €22 and weighing up to 10 kilograms by minor citizens of the Republic of Belarus. Are they the rightful recipients? If not, please clarify this issue from the point of view of the Tax Code of the Republic of Belarus. What will happen to shipments sent to them? Which persons will be authorized to make additional payments if such payments are assessed by the customs authorities of Belarus for parcels sent to children? (Vereshchagin P. A.)

These persons may act as recipients of goods sent to the MPO. The rate of duty-free import of goods will be calculated for each recipient upon receipt of goods at his address.

In accordance with paragraph four of part three of paragraph 3 of Article 8 of the Agreement on the procedure for the movement by individuals of goods for personal use across the customs border of the Customs Union and the performance of customs operations related to their release, dated June 18, 2010, by the declarant of goods for personal use sent to the MPO, the sender acts.

At the same time, Article 316 of the Customs Code of the Customs Union does not determine who is obliged to make customs payments in respect of goods sent to the MPO. In connection with the above, a person who has the right to receive such an MPO has the right to make customs payments assessed by the customs authority.

How to transport used items across the border?

If I travel abroad more than once every three months with a laptop worth at least €300, do I need to declare it every time? That is, every time you go through a crowded red corridor? Or will I need to somehow prove to the customs officer upon returning home that this laptop belongs to me and I did not buy it abroad? (Vitaly)

What is the algorithm for importing/exporting personal belongings? (I suspect that there is nothing in the laws about the purpose of the trip.) Do you have to declare all your clothes, camera, laptop every time you leave the Republic of Belarus? It’s just that with a limit of 20 kilograms it’s more or less clear, but the cost is €300... Wouldn’t it turn out that some customs officer would get the idea that my things (even used ones) are worth more in total? (Daria)

Approaches to evaluating new and used goods have not changed. The restrictions imposed by Decree No. 40 do not apply to used goods imported back in an unchanged condition (except for normal wear and tear) after export, if their value does not exceed €1,500 and the total weight does not exceed 50 kilograms.

If a declaration was made upon departure, a passenger customs declaration completed upon departure may be provided. If declaration was not made upon departure, then as part of customs control.

I live permanently in Lithuania and have a temporary residence permit. However, it will soon end, and I will need to return to Belarus. Over all the years that I have lived abroad, I have become “overgrown” with things, including expensive equipment. How can I transport all this painlessly for my budget?

Benefits for persons returning (relocating) to a permanent place of residence in the Republic of Belarus are valid subject to the conditions stipulated by the international treaty of the Republic of Belarus. Regulatory acts on this issue are posted on the State Customs Committee website.

Decree No. 40 does not apply to this category of persons.

I travel often and without making purchases, why can’t I buy €1500 later?

Let's say I traveled abroad a week ago or 15 times over the past three months, but did not import anything. Why should I be subject to the €300 and 20 kilogram limits? After all, the decree clearly states that goods will not be classified as goods for personal use if they were imported more than once every three calendar months. (Dmitry Akhrem)

When applying the norms of Decree No. 40, customs officers will take into account every crossing by an individual of the Belarusian section of the external border of the EAEU (with the exception of air transport), and not the importation of goods.

When does the three month countdown begin when crossing the border?

The countdown of three months will begin after trips from April 14, or, if you returned to Belarus on March 30, and then wanted to go on April 15, will the countdown begin from March 30? (Alexander Alekseychuk)

The provisions of Decree No. 40 apply from 04/14/2016. The countdown of three calendar months begins from this date.

For example, in the case of an individual importing goods for personal use on 04/14/2016, the cost and weight characteristics for classifying goods as goods for personal use (€300 and 20 kilograms) will not be applied when importing goods from 07/01/2016.

When can you exceed the €300 and 20 kilogram limits? And are there any exceptions?

Can I bring a purchase from abroad worth more than €300 if I have to travel there weekly for work (driver on international routes)?

If a person works abroad and crosses it often, it turns out that he will not be able to bring himself some household appliances without customs duties?

Will there be exceptions for those who frequently travel abroad for work? (Anastasia)

Decree No. 40 does not regulate legal relations related to the departure of persons, the purpose or duration of such departure. Regardless of the reason for which a citizen goes abroad (business trip, travel, visiting relatives, etc.), when importing goods more than once every three months, goods for personal use will be classified as goods worth no more than €300 and weighing no more than 20 kilograms.

These standards do not include used goods that were previously exported and imported back by citizens in an unchanged condition (for example, mobile phones, cameras, tablets, laptops, etc.) necessary for staying abroad.

However, the movement of goods by air is not taken into account by customs authorities for the purposes of applying the decree.

How will they check if the €300 limit is exceeded by those who travel abroad more than three times a month?

My mother lives in Ukraine (Kiev region), we visit her as a family at least twice a month. Well, we’re taking some food back to Gomel. So the question is: I travel more than once a quarter. Accordingly, I can carry goods weighing no more than 20 kilograms and costing no more than €300. What should I do if during the season I bring 10 kilograms of cherries, 10 kilograms of sweet cherries and 2 kilograms of beets? How will customs weigh this? What will you have to pay? And how much will the customs clearance time increase if customs officers now check a car for about 15 minutes? And if I travel by train, how will they check in this case? Am I going to be thrown out or sent back because of my superiority? Please clarify. Thank you.

If you import several units of goods, including types of food products, then you will independently determine among them the goods (food products), the total customs value and (or) weight of which does not exceed €300 and 20 kilograms. In this case, since the total weight of cherries, cherries and beets is 22 kilograms, you yourself will determine what is transported in excess.

The time spent by the inspector to carry out customs control (inspection (inspection), weighing and other procedures) depends on the amount of goods being moved and the willingness of the person to assist (unload, open packaging, give explanations, and so on) in carrying out the necessary forms of control.

The forms of customs control and the procedure for conducting customs control have not changed.

If I transport food, powders, clothes along the green corridor, and the total weight turns out to be more than 20 kilograms, what will happen in this case? Surcharge? Will they not direct you through the red corridor?

If an individual entering through the customs border of the EAEU in the Republic of Belarus is found to have goods in quantities exceeding the import norm after crossing the line indicating the departure (exit) from the green corridor, the actions of such a person are considered to be signs of an administrative offense provided for in Article 14.5 of the Code of Administrative Offences. (non-declaration of goods). A transfer from the green to the red corridor is not provided for by law.

Will minors be taken into account when transporting goods across the border?

Will minors be taken into account when transporting goods across the border? For example, we are traveling as a family of five: two adults and three children (2, 7 and 10 years old). Will duty-free import be valid for goods worth €1,500 and 100 kilograms, or €600 and 40 kilograms? (Dmitry Brukhanchik)

Is it possible to declare goods for minor children?

Duty-free import rules apply to goods regardless of the age of the person transporting them. The age of a citizen is taken into account only when moving alcoholic beverages, beer and tobacco products. It should be noted that only adult citizens can import alcohol and tobacco products.

Customs declaration of goods for a person under sixteen years of age is carried out by the person accompanying him (one of the parents, adoptive parent, guardian or trustee of this person, another person accompanying him or a representative of the carrier in the absence of accompanying persons, and in case of organized departure (entry) of a group of minors persons unaccompanied by parents, adoptive parents, guardians or trustees, other persons - by a group leader or a representative of the carrier).

Will the standards apply to the machine or to the person? If, for example, the situation is this: my sister travels less than once a month, and I travel more than once a month in the same car?

Duty-free import rules apply to goods transported by a specific citizen, and not by a vehicle.

Is it possible to carry one thing for two?

If two people cross the border in a car, is it possible to transport a TV worth €600, that is, €300 for each person? (Natalia Shumilova)

It should be understood that, in accordance with the law, one unit (set) of goods can be transported by only one person, that is, in this case it will be considered that one TV is imported by one person.

Will these restrictions not apply if there was a border crossing at the airport, and then the person went by car or train to Lithuania before the end of three months?

Will the restrictions introduced by the decree (€300, 20 kilograms) apply if I cross the border of Belarus by car for the first time in a long time, and before that I often (including less than three months ago) crossed the border by plane? (Dmitry Zikretsky)

In accordance with part one of subclause 1.18 of clause 1 of Decree No. 360 (as amended by Decree No. 40), goods for personal use do not include goods imported across the customs border of the EAEU in the Republic of Belarus by individuals in accompanied and unaccompanied baggage more than once every three calendar months , if the customs value of such goods exceeds the equivalent of €300 and (or) the total weight exceeds 20 kilograms.

Thus, for customs purposes, information about individuals crossing the customs border in the Republic of Belarus (when entering the territory of the Republic of Belarus) is taken into account. At the same time, the number of crossings by an individual of the customs border by air, as well as at checkpoints through the “non-Belarusian” section of the customs border of the EAEU for these purposes is not taken into account.

How to bring things through Russia?

How to properly process the transportation of goods purchased in the Kaliningrad region if you are traveling by land in transit through Lithuania/Poland? If I understand correctly, then it should not fall under the scope of the decree.

How to pay duties?

Will products and powders also fall under the limit of no more than 20 kilograms? How will the products be priced? What if you are overweight? How to pay extra?

Yes, the norms of Decree No. 360 (as amended by Decree No. 40) apply to these categories of goods. The procedure for evaluating new and used goods has not changed.

The customs value of goods for personal use is determined in accordance with Article 361 of the Customs Code of the Customs Union. Goods exceeding the cost and (or) weight characteristics specified in the above decree are subject to customs declaration and are subject to customs procedures provided for by the Customs Code of the Customs Union, using a goods declaration with payment of due customs duties and taxes.