Russia to lower coffee, tea import duties by 2015 upon WTO accession
MOSCOW. Nov 21 (Interfax) - After it becomes a member of the World Trade Organization, Russia will have to reduce import duties on roasted coffee and tea.
A document listing Russia's WTO membership obligations Interfax has obtained says that the duty on roasted coffee - currently 10% but not less than EUR 0.2 per kilogram - is in 2015 to be lowered to 8%, but not less than EUR 0.16. The duty will in 2013 be 9.3%, but not less than EUR 0.19, and in 2014 - 8.7%, but not less than EUR 0.17.
Russia imports non-roasted coffee duty-free. But during the negotiations the country insisted on its right to impose an up to 5% duty. If that decision is made, the duty would have to drop to 3% upon Russia's accession to the WTO.
When Russia is a WTO member, tea imports will be 20%, but not less than EUR 0.5 per kilo, versus today's 20%, but not less than EUR 0.8 per kilo. Starting in 2016, the duty is to drop to 12%, but no less than EUR 0.34 per kilo. In 2013, the duty will be 18%, but not less than EUR 0.45 per kilo, in 2014 - 16%, but not less than EUR 0.39, and in 2015 - 14%, but not less than EUR 0.34.
The duty on mate, or Paraguayan tea, will not change from 5%.
According to Federal Customs Service (FCS) figures, Russia imported 79,200 tonnes of coffee (for $369.7 million) in January-September, versus 75,700 tonnes (for $228.7 million) for the same nine months last year. Tea imports were up to 140,400 tonnes (for $461 million) from 132,700 tonnes (for $411.2 million) for the period.