Belarus tightens rules on importing goods for personal use

MINSK, March 4. /TASS/. Belarus has changed the rules for importing certain goods for personal use from abroad. The restrictions, in particular, apply to household appliances, bathroom and lavatory equipment, electronics and tires. "Analysis of the normative terms of using different categories of products showed that service life of household appliances and sanitary ware usually constitutes five years, of tires - up to two years. In view of this, approaches will change to classifying goods imported by individuals as goods for personal use from March 10, 2015," the state customs committee said. The committee set the following rules for importing certain products from abroad: an individual may bring once in three years one item from each category - household appliances, electronics, computers, laptops, tablets, sanitary ware, technical equipment, baby carriages and some other things. However, the limit is set only for goods in one category. For example, an individual cannot bring two computers from abroad, as the second one will be liable to customs duties. If a person brings a computer, a gas stove and a vacuum cleaner, the items will not be liable to any duties. An individual is also allowed to import only one set of tires (four items) in two years for each vehicle if he can demonstrate documents on ownership at customs. For motorcycles, mopeds and scooters the limit stands at two-three items in two years. "If a customs duty is paid for goods from abroad, then there will be no restrictions for these goods," the customs committee added. Earlier, the aforementioned goods were allowed for importing on such conditions once a year. Read more