Importing From Belarus: What You Need To Know

If you're planning to import goods from Belarus, there are several regulations and restrictions you need to be aware of. All travellers entering or leaving Belarus must complete a customs and goods declaration form, and there are limits on the amount of money that can be brought into the country without being declared. Additionally, certain items are prohibited from being imported into Belarus, including illegal drugs, weapons, and hazardous materials. For those looking to import goods into the UK from Belarus, there are further prohibitions and licensing requirements in place. Understanding these regulations is crucial to ensure compliance with the law and to avoid any potential issues when importing goods from Belarus.

What are the import restrictions on alcoholic drinks and tobacco?

Alcoholic drinks and tobacco are subject to import restrictions in Belarus. All travellers entering the country must complete a customs declaration form, which is typically available on the plane or at the airport.

For personal luggage, travellers are allowed to carry goods for personal use duty-free, with a maximum value of €10,000 and a maximum weight of 50kg when travelling by air. When travelling by non-air means of transportation or on foot, the duty-free allowance is lower, with a maximum value of €1,000 and a maximum weight of 31kg until April 1, 2024, after which the allowance will decrease to a maximum value of €500 and a maximum weight of 25kg.

Any additional items exceeding these duty-free limits are subject to a duty of 30% and a minimum of €4 per kilo. Furthermore, there are restrictions on the import of spirits, including beer, and tobacco. The import of spirits is restricted, and travellers are only permitted to bring a limited amount of tobacco, specifically 200 or 250 grams.

In addition to quantity restrictions, there are also regulations regarding the contents and emissions of tobacco products. The Eurasian Economic Council Committee (EEC) Technical Regulations for Tobacco Products outline a list of prohibited ingredients for tobacco products manufactured or sold within the Eurasian Customs Union. This includes ingredients such as radioactive and explosive substances.

Furthermore, the EEC Technical Regulations stipulate that emissions from tobacco products must not exceed certain levels: 10 mg of tar, 1.0 mg of nicotine, and 10 mg of carbon monoxide per cigarette. These regulations aim to control the contents and reduce the harmful emissions of tobacco products in Belarus and the Eurasian Customs Union.

What are the rules for importing money and financial instruments?

There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency that you can take with you into Belarus. However, you must declare amounts over $10,000 USD or €10,000 on entry to Belarus on the declaration form. Financial instruments, if any, must also be declared, except for traveller's cheques. These include hard copy securities that confirm the obligation of the issuer (debtor) to make a payment without indicating the payee.

Personal articles are allowed to be imported free of charge as long as the total weight of the luggage does not exceed 50 kg and the total cost does not exceed €1,500. This includes alcoholic drinks, beer, tobacco, and tobacco products. There should be no more than 3 litres of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco. The import of alcohol and tobacco products is not allowed for those under 18 years old. If the total weight exceeds 50 kg, you will have to pay 30% (not less than €4 per kg) of the customs value of the imported goods in excess of the goods rate.

What are the weight and cost limits for personal items?

When travelling to Belarus, all persons entering and exiting the country must complete a customs and goods declaration form, which can be found on the plane or at the airport. There are different weight and cost limits for personal items depending on the mode of transportation.

For those travelling by air, the weight limit for personal items is 50 kg and the cost limit is €10,000. For those travelling by non-air means of transportation or on foot, until 1 April 2024, the weight limit is 31 kg and the cost limit is €1,000. From 1 April 2024 onwards, the weight limit will be 25 kg and the cost limit will be €500.

If the weight and cost of personal items exceed these limits, additional items will be subject to a duty of 30% and not less than €4 per kilo. However, there are exceptions for certain types of goods. For example, jewellery, hygiene items, portable musical instruments, baby carriages, car seats, wheelchairs, sports equipment, portable medical devices, and electronics (such as cameras, video cameras, portable projectors, and mobile phones) can be imported free of charge.

It is important to note that the import of alcohol and tobacco products is restricted and not allowed for individuals under the age of 18. The specific limits for these items include no more than 3 litres of alcohol and 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco.

What items are prohibited from being imported?

The following items are prohibited from being imported into Belarus:

• Radioactive and explosive substances.
• Animals and plants without the appropriate health and veterinary certificates.

The following items are prohibited from being imported into the UK from Belarus:

• Wood products classified under HS chapter 44.
• Cement products classified under HS codes 2523 and 6810.
• Iron and steel products classified under HS chapters 72 and 73.
• Rubber products classified under HS code 4011.
• Arms and related materiel, including all military goods as defined in Schedule 2 to the Export Control Order 2008, and anything falling within chapter 93 of the Goods Classification table, other than military goods.
• Aluminium, which means any thing falling within the commodity code 76.
• Gold, which means any thing falling within the following commodity codes: 10000, 7108 and 71129, and ex 7118 9000 and meeting the descriptions within the table in paragraph 3(b) of Part 2 of Schedule 2J to the Belarus Sanctions Regulations.
• Gold jewellery, which means any thing falling within the following commodity codes: Ex 7113 and Ex 7114 and meeting the descriptions within the table in paragraph 4(b) of Schedule 2J to the Belarus Sanctions Regulations.
• Relevant processed gold, which means gold which has been processed in a third country, and incorporates gold that, on or after 21 July 2022, originated in Belarus and has been exported from Belarus.
• Mineral products, which means any thing falling within the following commodity codes: 2707, 2710, 2711, 2712, 2713, 2715.
• Potash, which means any thing falling within the following commodity codes: 31042010, 31042050, 31042090, 31052010, 31052090, 31056000, and ex. 31059020 or ex. 31059080, provided in each case that this is a fertiliser containing potassium chloride.
• Petroleum products.
• Equipment for internal repression.
• Equipment, technology, or software.
• Dual-use products and technology.
• Goods and technology which could contribute to the military and technological improvement of Belarus, or to the development of the defence and security sector.
• Machinery under HS codes 8401, 8402 and 8404 to 8409.

What items require special permits or permissions?

When importing items from Belarus, there are several categories of items that require special permits or permissions. These include:

Weapons and Explosives

All weapons, ammunition, explosives, and related equipment are subject to strict controls. Importers must obtain a special permit from the Interior Ministry before bringing these items into the country. This includes guns, knives, and other deadly weapons.

Radioactive and Hazardous Materials

Radioactive substances and hazardous materials are highly regulated. Any individual or company seeking to import such materials must obtain the necessary permits and adhere to international regulations.

Plants and Animals

The import of plants and animals into Belarus is permitted only with the appropriate health and veterinary certificates. Wild plants and plant products, in particular, require permission from the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry. Additionally, all pigeons are denied entry into the country.

Currency

While there is no limit on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought into Belarus, amounts exceeding 10,000 USD must be declared to the customs department.

Alcohol and Tobacco

Importing spirits, beer, and tobacco is restricted. Travellers are permitted to bring in limited quantities of these items for personal use, duty-free. However, larger quantities may be subject to duties and taxes.

Sanctioned Goods

Due to international sanctions, there are several goods that are prohibited from being imported into Belarus. These include wood products, cement products, iron and steel products, rubber products, arms and related materiel, aluminium, gold and gold jewellery, and certain mineral products.

Frequently asked questions