When will the duty on parcels be introduced. Russian customs changed the rules for processing parcels from foreign online stores
We are seeing a little panic, so we probably need to explain what happened and what changes it threatens users with (spoiler: not everything is so scary). We gave interviews on this occasion to newspapers and the 360° channel. And they forgot to write in GT. We are correcting and clarifying the situation.
What happened
On December 7, a new order of the Federal Customs Service came into force regarding purchases imported from abroad (FTS No. 1861 dated November 24, 2017). Users are now being asked for new data - in particular, a TIN and confirmation of the price of the goods - to help customs track whether they are importing "too much" and whether they should start demanding payment of duties from them. This is an "experiment to introduce into the Unified Automated information system customs authorities(EAISTO) the function of checking goods purchased by individuals in foreign online stores and delivered by transport forwarding companies and courier services.
Everything is as usual: the government does not like foreign online purchases: customers who buy goods there cheaply do not pay any additional taxes to the budget. Since 2014, there has been an active tightening of the rules and the introduction of duties is constantly being discussed. But so far, purchases abroad continue to grow. The share of foreign e-commerce in Russia in 2017 will be about 40%. This is 420 billion rubles by the Russian treasury. Aleksey Fedorov, head of the AKIT association, which brought together twenty of the largest Russian online stores to lobby for their interests, states that "Buying on Aliexpress, you are, in fact, committing theft."
The duty-free threshold for purchases in foreign online stores is now €1,000 or 31 kg per person per month. Now it will be easier for customs to track whether this limit is exceeded. The FCS also says the new requirements will reduce "the risks of importing goods to nominees." New order will be tested across the country from December 7, 2017 to July 2018. Passport data of users, TIN, as well as information about the cost and weight of the goods they buy in euros and rubles will be stored in EAISTO.
The experiment does not include only international shipments sent via Russian Post.
What has changed for you
Not so much. If you took something in foreign online stores, you were probably required to have passport data anyway. And now, in addition to them, buyers will need to indicate their TIN and provide links or screenshots to the ordered goods. However, the laws on buying in online stores change with enviable regularity, and the quality of their implementation may depend on a particular customs officer. For example, with links and screenshots, they already understand that they got excited:
As you can see, the FCS themselves are not yet very sure what the new rules mean. But the TIN applications and links to the product are still enough. We are not yet required to attach invoices, screenshots and other confirmations of purchase. In the Pochtoy.com account, there has always been a field for adding a link, and now just another one has appeared nearby - for the TIN. The situation is the same for most other intermediaries. If something else is required in the future, the support service will contact you itself.
During customs clearance, the value of the goods will be fixed in accordance with the declaration you have issued. The confirmation of the correctness of filling out the declaration on your part is an invoice - a letter confirming the payment for the order, which the store sends you by e-mail.
If the link to the product is "burnt" (gives 404, for example), its alternative is a screenshot of the order confirmation page from your personal account in the online store. The screenshot must be made so that the name, photo, price and quantity of the purchased goods are clearly visible. And then - upload it to the cloud or file hosting.
Even if the link does not burn down, it is useful to save screenshots and invoices for one more situation. Many of our customers take goods at discount prices. And since the data from the links will be processed by EAISTO at the time the parcel passes through customs, it is likely that the price there will be higher. If you literally barely invested in the limit of €1 thousand, and the price increase "passed" you over the edge, you may be required to pay a fee - 30% of the amount exceeding the limit. If the iPhone X, which cost a safe €800 somewhere on eBay, turns into €1200 on the same link, you will have to pay an additional €60. A similar story - if the page at the link simply disappeared, and now the customs office has nothing to compare the price with.
In general, notarized screenshots, over which the Internet was once mad, are no longer a myth, but a reality.
What has changed for us
Not so much either. We already advised to put links so that there would be no misunderstandings. Now we have added a field for the TIN. In existing orders going through FastBox, Express Mail and Express Light Mail, we urgently add the TIN from those users who have entered it into their account or contacted our operators. Those who are not ready to provide their TIN number are offered to switch to EMS, USPS Priority or Econom Priority delivery free of charge, which work through Russian Post.
Technical support in the field of online shopping is already not easy. For the next few days, we are working on an emergency basis. Until the package meets the new requirements, it will not pass through customs, and many users need to be informed about this personally. Plus - we are preparing for a potential temporary delay while the FCS sorts out its new system. Although the customs service itself assures that this will not happen.
And so - it's okay, there were worse laws. We are waiting for a real blow in July 2018, when the limit on purchases from abroad
The draft federal budget of the country for 2018 contains information that the state treasury should be replenished with an amount of thirty billion rubles due to online commerce from abroad. In the next two years, this figure should double. In October this year, in the first reading, a draft tax on purchases made in foreign online stores with an 18 percent VAT tax was considered and adopted. The tax on online purchases will come into force in 2018.
Now residents of Russia can shop in foreign online stores, purchasing goods weighing up to thirty-one kilograms and not more than a thousand euros per month, without paying a fee. If one of the criteria is exceeded, a 30 percent duty is charged from the figure of this excess. A decision is now being made to tax goods worth more than twenty euros. Let's take a look at what the changes are.
The authorities of the Russian Federation are not happy with the acquisitions of Russian citizens from abroad, to put it mildly. Firstly, such purchases do not bring a penny to the country's budget. Secondly, Russian trading platforms that cannot compete. For example: in Russia new model iPhone costs three hundred dollars more than in the US.
According to statistics, in 2017 in Russia the share of foreign online trade will be about forty percent, in monetary terms - more than 420 billion rubles, which do not go to the state treasury. To avoid this, the threshold of duties levied on Russians for purchases from abroad will be reduced fiftyfold. We have already mentioned that now the border is set at a thousand euros, it is planned to be twenty euros. Reducing the duty-free limit is considered a solution for additional fees to the budget. For comparison, in 2017, 1.6 billion rubles were collected from online buyers, next year this figure is planned to be increased by eighteen times - as mentioned above, with the help of a new bill in 2018, the government is going to withhold 30 billion rubles from Russians.
Explanatory note to the tax on online purchases
The explanatory note to the draft state budget for the next two years states that the duty will be charged for the purchase of goods for personal use by citizens, the price of which exceeds twenty euros or a little more than 1,300 Russian rubles. However, the document does not clarify whether the new proposed limit will apply to a single package or packages ordered a month in advance or some other time period.
However, the note states that a reduction in the duty-free limit could occur in the country as early as July 1, 2018. If the innovation does not translate into reality, in 2018 the level of injections from online purchases from abroad will remain the same - 1.6 billion rubles. The Russian Post will represent individuals in relation to goods imported into the country - this is exactly what the authorities intend to give such powers to the organization.
Alternative option
Another project, also designed to enrich the Russian treasury through the purchases of citizens on foreign online sites, is an equalization of conditions between domestic and foreign stores. At the annual meeting of the country's Antimonopoly Service, the issue was raised of obliging foreign companies to pay 18 percent VAT to the treasury of our country - this is the VAT figure that is now set for sellers in Russia. To do this, foreign Internet sites must register with the Federal Tax Service and independently, on a voluntary basis, transfer tax on profits from purchases made by citizens of the Russian Federation. If registration is refused or tax is not paid in Russia, the online store page will be blocked. Another sanction is a promise to open and inspect parcels in order to establish the need to pay VAT. The cost of these works will be additionally added to the amount of the fee.
This scheme, according to experts, will be able to annually bring to the state treasury of Russia up to one hundred billion rubles. For comparison, at present (for 2016), the turnover of cross-border online commerce in the country is only three billion.
Initially, the departments began work in this direction at the request of President Vladimir Putin. The head of state ordered that amendments be made to Russian legislation that could provide companies with equal conditions for trading using the Internet. In 2016, the Association of Internet Trade Companies (AKIT), which represents the interests of domestic online platforms, came up with a package of relevant amendments and an initiative. The association noted that in Europe this scheme has been used for a long time and the duty-free fee limit is twenty-two euros.
Pros and cons of projects
Of course, domestic stores are happy with this turn of events. According to the same AKIT, the bill will minimize the difference in prices to five percent, and then the Russians will prefer to buy “houses” in order to more quickly and reliably resolve issues related to the guarantee for goods or their replacement and return.
For buyers, the innovation will result in inconvenience - most likely, overseas stores they will simply raise prices by the amount of the duty, respectively, all goods will rise in price by at least 18%. According to representatives of AKIT, this is not bad - after all, then Russian manufacturers be able to equalize prices with foreigners.
Independent experts also consider this decision not entirely successful and far-sighted, since foreign online stores will need to pay tax twice - both at home and for Russia. As an alternative solution, it is recommended to create warehouses in the country according to the “business-to-business-customer” system, where foreign organizations will be able to bring goods "en masse" and pay the tax once for everything.
Video - Shopping in online stores can rise in price
Summing up
For several years, the country's authorities have been trying to develop a mechanism capable of regulating the work of foreign online retailers. However, it is now clear that the levying of VAT on foreign goods is practically a settled issue. At the legislative level, a decision is currently being made on the fundraiser. There are two contenders for this role. tax service countries and customs.
Thus, the Russians may completely lose the opportunity not just profitable, but any purchases from abroad. Complicating the procedure for selling goods to Russia is likely to force online sellers to stop selling to Russian buyers altogether.
Hello dear readers;) Today we will talk about customs duties on the import of goods into Russia in 2018. I want to dispel all the fears of those who still believe that only 3 items or 3 goods can be ordered from China or from Ebay, and if more, then you need customs to pay. If you don’t think so, then it’s good, but many people ask me this question in the comments on articles on the business of selling goods from China and in private messages! I'm tired of answering and now I will give a link to the article.
Dispelling fears
In order not to idle talk, I directly copy the information from the Russian customs website.
“Upon receipt of goods in international postal items during a calendar month, the customs value of which exceeds 1000 euros, and (or) total weight which exceeds 31 kilograms, in terms of such an excess, customs duties and taxes are payable at a single rate of 30% of customs value goods, but not less than 4 euros per 1 kilogram of their weight.
That is, if you order goods from China, for example, from Aliexpress or from America, for example, from Ebay, then the main thing is that there should be no more than 1,000 euros per month for 1 address and one recipient, which is approximately equal to the current euro exchange rate at 70,000 rubles.
How to bypass customs duties on importing goods from abroad
I am a law-abiding citizen of my beloved country and do not advise avoiding taxes!
1. You can simply order to different addresses and different people. For example, for yourself and for mom, dad, friend for 900 euros))
2. I do not advise doing this!!! Ask sellers to quote a price below 1,000 euros. This will not work in principle, because if the parcel is lost, it will not be possible to reimburse its full cost, since the declared one will be lower! And yet, the customs work very smart people and you won’t be able to cut the amount by 2 times, but if you have only a 100 bucks discrepancy, then such little things can be reduced.
3. Order through intermediaries. They import goods through customs, legally, but you don't have to deal with it yourself. For this, intermediaries take a small percentage (usually 10%).
But it was not there
As the publication wrote a few days ago, “ New Newspaper"that customs wants to introduce customs duty for all parcels in the amount of 10% of the customs value of the parcel, regardless of its weight or price. And here it will no longer be possible to apply the first 2 points, but it will be possible to apply a lot of other things, although the second point is quite suitable! I myself am against such an introduction and I want to be left with 1000 euros, since I often order from both Ebay and Aliexpress.
Conclusion!!!
Do not look for excuses that doing business in the field of selling goods from China is unrealistic because of customs duties! Everything is more than real;)
And most importantly, what I want to add is this! Subscribe to the blog so you don't miss the most interesting articles and tips.
On December 20, the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission established new rules for the import of goods for individuals for personal use. A decision was made, following which, the cost, weight and quantity norms were determined, within which goods can be imported into Russia and other countries of the EAEU duty-free. Also, the amount of duties for exceeding the established norms for the import of goods for personal use is determined.
Briefly about the new duties: From January 1, 2019, the duty-free limit for buyers per month has decreased from 1000 to 500 euros. It is important to know that in some cases, the customs service may also tax the shipping cost.
We are talking about goods, the delivery of which to the buyer from abroad is carried out through international postal items or private carriers, including purchases from foreign online stores such as computeruniverse.
According to the decision, from January 1 to December 31, 2018, maintaining the current limit of 1000 euros and 31 kg within one calendar month.
From January 1, 2019, within one calendar month, without paying customs duties and taxes, it will be possible to order goods for a total amount of up to 500 euros and weighing no more than 31 kg.
From January 1, 2020, duty-free import rates will be reduced to 200 euros and 31 kg. At the same time, all restrictions on time and number of orders will be removed. In 2020, for exceeding the limits, you will have to pay 15% of the cost, but not less than 2 euros per 1 kg of "overweight", which is significantly less than the current norms (30% of the cost, but not less than 4 euros per 1 kg of weight)
At the same time, the countries of the Eurasian economic union may impose additional restrictions that reduce import rates.
At the moment, in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia, the duty-free threshold is 1,000 euros and 31 kg per calendar month, and until the end of 2018, buyers in these countries can sleep peacefully.
Reducing the duty-free threshold for importing goods over 500 euros by land
Also, on November 1, the news appeared that in 2019 the threshold for duty-free transportation of goods by land transport would be reduced three times. The document, signed by all five members of the commission on November 1, was published on the legal portal of the EAEU. The content is as follows:
EURASIAN ECONOMIC COMMISSION COUNCIL
DECISION
On amendments to the Decision of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission dated December 20, 2017 No. 107
In accordance with paragraph 6 of Article 256, paragraph 11 of Article 260, paragraphs 2, 3, 6 and 8 of Article 266 of the Customs Code of the Eurasian Economic Union, the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission decided:
1. In paragraph 2 of Annex No. 1 to the Decision of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission dated December 20, 2017 No. 107 “On Certain Issues Related to Goods for Personal Use”, the words “from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 inclusive - the cost does not exceed the amount equivalent to 1,000 euros, and (or) the weight does not exceed 50 kg; from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 inclusive - the cost does not exceed the equivalent of 750 euros and (or) the weight does not exceed 35 kg; from January 1, 2021 - the cost does not exceed the equivalent of 500 euros, and (or) the weight does not exceed 25 kg" replace with the words "from January 1, 2019 - the cost does not exceed the equivalent of 500 euros, and (or) the weight does not exceed 25 kg.
2. In paragraph 2 of Annex No. 2 to the Decision of the Council of the Eurasian
Economic Commission of December 20, 2017 No. 107 "On Certain Issues Related to Goods for Personal Use" the words "from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 inclusive - the cost exceeds the amount equivalent to 1,000 euros, and (or ) the weight exceeds 50 kg; from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 inclusive - the cost exceeds the equivalent of 750 euros and (or) the weight exceeds 35 kg; from January 1, 2021 — the cost exceeds the equivalent of 500 euros and (or) the weight exceeds 25 kg” shall be replaced by the words “from January 1, 2019 — the cost exceeds the equivalent of 500 euros and (or) the weight exceeds 25 kg ".
What do they offer?
The Vedomosti publication, citing its sources, writes that the FCS sent a proposal to the Ministry of Finance to impose a duty on purchases any cost in foreign online stores. Such a “proposal to improve cross-border trade” should add 25 billion rubles a year annually and at the same time “will make Russian Internet commerce more competitive.”
The measures will be very tough. In particular, the FCS proposes to reset the threshold for duty-free purchases in foreign online stores in one or two years. Reduce the customs duty from 30 to 20% and introduce a combined rate of at least 1 euro per 1 kg, as well as a 20% fee for commercial goods cheaper than 200 euros. In addition, cross-border trade needs to be subject to technical regulation requirements in order to “secure” buyers from purchasing, for example, GPS trackers.
So far, only parcels in excess of the current limits are subject to duties in Russia - the total cost of which per month is more than 1,000 euros and the weight is over 31 kg. It is interesting that earlier at the level of the EAEU countries they already agreed to gradually reduce duty-free limits - according to the Customs Code of the EAEU from 2019 to 500 euros, and from 2020 to 200 euros. At the same time, countries, in accordance with the law, will also be able to adjust rates in the direction of tightening limits.
However, the budget would not benefit much from raising the limits, because parcels in small packages, as they are called by customs officers and postal operators, are mainly sent to Russia. They cost literally a penny and weigh nothing.
As Timur Maksimov, deputy head of the Federal Customs Service, noted in an interview with Vedomosti, lowering the duty-free threshold will not solve the problem of the imbalance between Russian and cross-border Internet commerce. According to him, 95% of Internet parcels in Russia do not exceed the threshold of 30 euros in value, and, according to the Russian Post, in 2017, out of 283 million foreign parcels, only 0.02% cost more than 200 euros.
What will happen?
The introduction of a new tax, first of all, will not please the Russians themselves, because in this case, even a penny spinner or a hair clip ordered from AliExpress will simply not be profitable. In addition, this literally endangers micro-businesses that buy the necessary small things from Chinese retailers, as well as unregistered Vkontakte and Instagram stores that sell clothes and shoes from their hands.
But even worse, it threatens to collapse at the post office. Today there are simply no resources to check each postal item and calculate the duty on it. The press service of the Russian Post has already commented on this as follows:
“Reducing the duty-free threshold to 200 euros without changing the technology of collecting fees will almost completely block the process customs clearance international mail and worsen the quality of service for the delivery of goods for the population. In addition, the costs of administration are likely to exceed the effect in the form of fees collected.”
It is also worth mentioning that today there is no mail effective method track the number of parcels arriving at the address of one recipient during the month. Usually this is done manually - the customs officer at the post just tries to remember and write out frequently encountered names.
