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Individuals banned from bringing out certain goods

The Council of Ministers, by a June 11 directive, prohibited individuals from bringing out a range of Belarusian-made goods in a move to prevent their shortage in the domestic market.

The measure, which took effect on June 12, does not apply to individuals traveling to Russia and Kazakhstan, with which Belarus shares a customs union, said the press office of the State Customs Committee.

In particular, the list includes Atlant refrigerators and freezers, Gefest gas cookers and Belarusian-made cement, as well as Barkhim detergents, and all brands of cereals and pasta.

In addition, the cabinet directed that individuals bringing out more than two kilograms of pork, poultry meat, sugar, flour and cheese, over one kilogram of butter, more than two packs of Belarusian-made cigarettes and more than five units of canned milk and meat products are to pay special duty worth twice the mean price of the goods.

Revenues from the duty will go to the national budget, according to the press office.

The new measure was introduced one day after customs duty was imposed on motor fuel exports by individuals crossing the Belarusian border into a country other than Russia more than once in five days.

Security Council Secretary Leanid Maltsaw said in a televised interview last week that the retail prices of a number of goods, especially those “socially important,” are higher in neighboring countries than Belarus’ prices, which are controlled by the government. “Some unscrupulous people try to capitalize on these problems,” he said. “That’s why we are working on a system of measures to protect the domestic market, including from unfounded exports.”

“There is no doubt that the system of measures will be fine-tuned to operate smoothly,” said General Maltsaw. “It will be in the first place about economic measures. We have a problem regarding gasoline today. Now that it is priced lower here, pay the difference when crossing the border… If someone gets brazen, we have laws in accordance with which harsh measures will be taken. They are imperative. We need to stabilize the situation, not exacerbate it.” // BelaPAN