Aliaksandr Lukashenka said during a meeting with Primorsky Krai Governor Oleg Kozhemyako that he had discussed Russia’s System for Confirming the Shipment of Goods (SPOT) with Vladimir Putin in Astana. Lukashenka acknowledged that the initiative could complicate trade with Russia.
“There are always current-day issues. Russia has introduced the so-called SPOT system. I am concerned that it may make things worse. Nevertheless, President Putin and I agreed in Astana that we would do everything possible to avoid any delays and unnecessary bureaucracy. Most importantly, we want all queues to disappear and not exist at the border. We are now closely monitoring what is happening at the border. We are in contact with President Putin so that measures can be taken in a timely manner. We will see. Time will tell. We are fully engaged with this issue. It may complicate our trade. But it will not stop it.
We have absolute trust. You know that without any QR codes or documents, your word from Primorsky Krai is enough — we will always be able to accept your products and create conditions for their sale. We are concerned that our products continue to move freely there, to Vladivostok,” Lukashenka said, according to his press service.
SPOT applies to imports of goods from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Importers are required to notify Russian state authorities in advance about shipments of specific goods, providing details of the recipient, supplier and carrier. The importer is then issued a special QR code, which the carrier presents at the border. If the goods being transported do not match the advance declaration, they will not be allowed through.
In addition, from July 1, a security payment will be introduced. Its amount must be no less than the value of indirect taxes (VAT and excise duties) payable on the imported goods. However, for supplies from Belarus, the payment will not be required until October 31 of this year, provided the following conditions are met: the goods are imported from Belarus into Russia through the Belarus-Russia section of the state border, and the supplier is a company or individual entrepreneur established and registered under Belarusian law.
