Customs vs Russians: Another Loop Around Internet Commerce


(c) A slice of our warehouse - all parcels to individuals The

Federal Customs Service (FCS) thought to lower the threshold for duty-free importation of goods bought in foreign online stores from 1,000 euros to 22 euros for one month. Like in Belarus.

In the future, it is planned to abandon the wording “goods for personal use” and tax all VAT parcels entering the territory of the Russian Federation and collect duties on them (depending on customs codes).

Official versions and reasons


The new proposals of customs officers are referred to in the letter of the head of the FCS Ruslan Davydov to the Deputy Minister of Economic Development Stanislav Voskresensky under the heading “On the regulation of the importation of goods within the framework of cross-border e-commerce” of September 20, made public by the Russian media. The first meeting on the topic was to be held on October 14, but was postponed.

It is assumed that if the amendments are adopted, the rules will apply to all countries of the Eurasian Economic Union ( EAEU ). So that, as of today, the flow of goods from Russia is not redirected to Belarus and Ukraine.

The official version of the need for amendments: “under the guise of goods for personal use, commercial consignments enter the country in international mail”. Thus, the service is trying to impose fees and duties on entrepreneurs who resell goods bought in foreign stores in Russia. But it is - officially.

To confirm the official version of the data provided by the Association of E-commerce Companies ( ACIT ). According to them, the volume of cross-border trade in the Russian e-commerce market amounted to 143.1 billion rubles (+ 37% compared to the pre-crisis 2015). In this segment, the number of shipments amounted to 103 million (+ 102% to the same year). At the same time, purchases of up to 22 euros accounted for the vast majority of turnover — 64%, up to 50 euros — 21%, and up to 150 euros — 11%.

How will the new customs rules work if they are adopted?


The letter of the customs officers also contains the following wording: “Goods purchased in foreign online stores should be considered as goods imported in trade. These goods should not apply to goods for personal use. "

Now, without any additional payments for personal purposes, you can import a wide variety of goods for up to 1 thousand euros (!) And weighing up to 31 kg per month, while the FCS offers to lower the threshold to 22 euros per month, and the original method of calculation:
if the cost goods up to 150 euros - it will be necessary to pay a fixed payment in the amount of 10-15 euros (read 10-15%);
if the value of the goods is more than 150 euros - a fixed payment (10–15 euros) + customs duties + taxes at a uniform rate of 30%.

What does it threaten with?


There are lots of stories about the fight against customs for parcels. One requirement of notification from a private person is worth something. If we take into account that many manufacturers simply do not work directly with Russia, and dealers overestimate the cost of goods - the situation may be a stalemate for many.

Let's say the “gray” iPhone 7 is 150-200 dollars more expensive. Refurbished laptops and SLR cameras are 20-50% cheaper than conventional counterparts abroad, and another 15-20% cheaper than new analogs in Russia.

The most unpleasant thing in this scenario is that the FCS can give Russian dealers the opportunity to independently set prices. Now the competition in the market is quite high, thanks to imported stores and their availability. But more recently, the cost of, say, the “Officials” exceeded the cost in foreign stores by half (now the gap has narrowed slightly, to 30% due to the dollar rate and the more expensive delivery).

We want to conduct a survey: will the adoption of these provisions affect our readers? Please, I would like to hear the views of the community on this topic, and, perhaps, once again organize to influence the situation.

For those who have not tried to buy something, we give all our readers a promotional code “geektimes” for the free admission of incoming packages to Pochtoy.com, and $ 5 to the account. At least until the updated provisions are accepted.

Only registered users can participate in the survey. Sign in , please.

Do you buy goods in foreign online stores?

If customs limits are changed

How many orders per month do you do in foreign online stores?


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