Majilis adopts EAEU customs amendments for cross-border e-commerce (Part 2)Kazakhstan's lower house of parliament, Majilis, on Wednesday ratified amendments to the Eurasian Economic Union's Customs Code, establishing new declaration rules for foreign online purchases.The changes, signed by EAEU members in St. Petersburg on Dec. 25, 2023, will create a new category for third-country e-commerce goods shipped via international mail; introduce certified "e-commerce operators" to manage logistics, customs clearance and platform coordination; and implement a dedicated e-commerce customs declaration form."Goods purchased on foreign online platforms are considered for personal use and are currently only declared if they exceed duty-free import limits. Since these goods are not part of formal trade turnover, they are not included in official statistics. Declaring the full volume of e-commerce goods would provide complete data on purchases made on foreign online platforms," Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin said.Current rules treat such shipments as personal-use items exempt from declaration unless exceeding €200 in value or 31 kg in weight.Zhumangarin told reporters Wednesday at the Majilis that online marketplace operators will assume full responsibility for product returns and customs declarations under Kazakhstan's new e-commerce regulations."Currently, if you buy something on Amazon and receive a wrong or defective item, the return process is complicated," Zhumangarin said. "Under the new system, operators will handle all return requests, while consumers simply file a complaint and the operator manages everything else," he said.The official clarified that either operators or buyers can complete customs declarations for international purchases. "For shipments under 200 euros and 31 kilograms, operators will provide free declaration services and home delivery," he said. "If goods are improperly declared and you've authorized Kazpost [as your operator], they bear responsibility, not you," Zhumangarin added, noting consumers retain the option to self-declare.The vice premier acknowledged that the changes may increase consumer costs by about 2%. "Current regulations impose a 15% combined customs fee on shipments exceeding the 200-euro/31-kg threshold. Under the new system, marketplaces will pay the 12% VAT while consumers pay a 5% duty, totaling 17% or a 2% increase," he said. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX