ArmInfo.The threshold for duty-free importation of goods into the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) for individuals at the level of 1,000 euros may return to the previous level of 200 euros. This is reported by TASS with reference to the official representative of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) Iya Malkina.
The initiative to consider this issue was not submitted to the EEC Council, Malkina stressed. "Today, as we know, there are various proposals on this issue, however, there have been no specific initiatives for its consideration at the EEC Council from the parties. If the issue is not considered and appropriate decisions are not made, then from April 1, the threshold will return to the previous level: 200 euros for goods carried by a carrier or in postal items, and 500 euros for goods brought in by luggage by all means of transport, except for air, or on foot," Malkina said.
Earlier, head of the EEC Board, Mikhail Myasnikovich, during a trip to the Yaroslavl region, told reporters that the reduction of the duty-free threshold from 1,000 euros is being discussed, the Union countries will develop a consolidated opinion on this issue.
As Myasnikovich explained at the briefing, the threshold is being discussed in order to really orient the population towards domestic goods, not just imports. "Here, as they say, balanced approaches of understanding are needed, because a person should have a choice. He cannot be limit his choice if he wants to acquire something from a non-local market. But it is better to strive to ensure that domestic goods are competitive," he said.
In early March, the "Izvestia" newspaper reported that the Consumers Union of the Russian Federation appealed to Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Economic Development with a request not to lower the threshold for duty-free online trading. From April 1, it should fall from 1,000 euros to 200 euros. In the event that the value of the parcel exceeds the threshold amount or its weight is more than 31 kg, it will be necessary to pay a duty in the amount of 15% of the order value, but not less than 2 euros per 1 kg.
Earlier, the Eurasian Economic Commission announced the extension of the increase in the limit of duty-free import of goods into the EAEU within the framework of online commerce from 200 euros to 1 thousand euros until April 1, 2023. We are talking about the import of goods for individuals. According to the commission, this measure allows supporting citizens ordering goods for personal use in foreign online stores, as well as avoiding a shortage of goods. The EAEU includes Armenia, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
