Support The Moscow Times!

Eurasian Union Mulls Restrictions on Duty-Free Online Shopping

The new proposals are due to be debated by the commission on Monday, Lenta.ru reported.

The Eurasian Economic Union's customs allowance for overseas online shopping could fall from 1,000 euros to 150 euros if new proposals by the union's regulatory body go ahead, the Vedomosti newspaper reported Monday.

The Eurasian Economic Commission is also mulling lowering the accompanying weight limit from 31 kilograms to 10. Purchases falling within the new limits would come with a flat 25 euro fee; those exceeding them would additionally be subject to customs duties.

Both Vedomosti and news website Lenta.ru have referred to the new restrictions as an attempt to practically scrap duty-free online shopping within the EEU.

The trading bloc came into being in January 2015, with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan as founding members, and has now been expanded to encompass Armenia and Kyrgyzstan.

The new proposals are due to be debated by the commission on Monday, Lenta.ru reported. According to Vedomosti, they have already been endorsed by the Belarussian and Kazakh delegations.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysiss and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more