CEO: Russian Post sees VAT on foreign e-sellers as justified

MOSCOW, Oct 25 (PRIME) -- Russian Post, a national postal operator, supports introduction of value-added tax (VAT) for foreign online stores selling their goods to Russians, General Director Dmitry Strashnov told reporters on Tuesday.

“Such an option is being discussed. I find it justified from the point of view of equal competitive advantages for foreign Internet players and Russian Internet floors of retail companies,” Strashnov said.

“The consumer will not be hit, but it’s a matter not of the tax size, but of additional expenses on administration of such payments. If it’s all centralized, it will be quite convenient. The amount will be clearly added to goods’ prices.”

Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said earlier in October that the government would craft a mechanism of VAT introduction for e-commerce until the end of 2016.

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