Russia will preserve customs control at its border with Belarus for certain commodity groups till 1 January 2011, said Head of the Analysis Office of the Federal Customs Service of Russia Vladimir Ivin at the conference “Customs and business – partnership relations” on 16 June.

Vladimir Ivin said that at present there are three exceptions from the free flow of goods from Belarus to Russia. The first one is the commodities Russia uses antidumping and compensating duties on. The second one is transport vehicles imported by individuals. Russia does not object to Belarus’ lower vehicle duties if the vehicles are not imported to Russia for sale. According to the official, there are no plans to restrict the use of vehicles driven by Belarusian citizens. The latter can drive their automobiles for any period of time but they cannot surrender the ownership right to their automobiles to anyone else.

The third exception deals with the export of commodities. Vladimir Ivin believes that it will stay in effect till mid-2011 when documents regulating the common economic space are supposed to be ready.

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