Russia offers EAEU single approach to e-commerce customs duties

MOSCOW, Nov 26 (PRIME) -- Russia supports single customs duty rules for parcels from abroad for the whole territory of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), but there is still no unanimity on the matter, Tatyana Golendeyeva, deputy director of Russia’s Federal Tax Service, said Thursday.

“Russia is interested in the use of not a rule of reference to the national law, but in its unification, so that there is be no crossflows and temptations. Russia insists on unification, but a final decision for all to opt for the national level has not been made so far. If we dig in our heels and find no compromise, Russia will solve the matter on the national level,” Golendeyeva said.

The EAEU is a supranational organization for regional economic integration. Its member-states are Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia.

Some media reported earlier that a working group of the council of the Eurasian Economic Commission has (EEC) prepared a draft to reduce the threshold of duty-free Internet commerce to 150 euros. The EEC is a regulatory body of the EAEU.

At present, parcels for personal use are duty-free in Russia up to 1,000 euros and to 31 kilograms during a calendar month. In case of excess, the duty is 30%, but no less than 4 euros per 1 kilogram, which is charged from the amount above the threshold.

Golendeyeva said that Russia suggested introducing a multi-level system. “There could be duty free up to 22 euros; from 22 euros to 150 euros – a single duty within 10–15 euros per one parcel, and this question is discussed; beyond 150 euros – the existing payments, or 30%, plus 10–15 euros,” she said.

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