According to a proposal from the Russian Customs Service, travelers might be restricted to bring only 20,000 RUB worth of goods into Russia without paying customs duties. Today, travelers are allowed to bring goods worth 65,000 RUB into Russia without paying customs duties.
The proposal is aimed at bolstering crisis-hit customs revenues, the Moscow Times reports. According to the newspaper, the proposal was posted on the Customs Service’s website, but then later removed.
In addition to the value restrictions, also the maximum weight limit of the goods might be reduced. According to the customs proposal, travelers might in the future be allowed to bring only 20 kg per month into the country without duty. Today, the upper weight limit is 35 kg, also that a very low figure.
The proposed new Russian customs restrictions will lay new roadblocks to the development of efficient cross-border trade and shopping. From before, the existing restrictions are seriously hampering business.
On the Russian-Norwegian border the currently regime is observed strictly and travelers must pay five EUR per kilo exceeding the maximum allowed 35 kg.
