Since entering a customs union with Kazakhstan, and maybe with Belarus, Russia has taken up new customs legislation. Now a parcel worth up to 1,000 euros ($1,254) sent from abroad is not subject to duty; until July 1, this threshold was 10,000 rubles ($321). But if before parcels worth up to 5,000 rubles did not require customs documentation, now all parcels must carry a passenger declaration.
This applies to express parcels too. Before July 1, carriers processed parcels worth less than 200 euros on a register, a general list, but now every parcel must be registered individually by passenger declaration, that is, with the passport data of every recipient, says Ivan Shatsky, CEO of UPS in Russia. Under the new rules, the declaration may require the recipient to be present personally or to use the services of a customs broker.
This year has already seen parcels detained at customs. Officials started the fight with understated customs values, with the result that in March more than 100,000 parcels declared at understated prices were delayed. Delivery times increased from two weeks to two months.
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.
Remind me later.