EEC extends zero duty on importing containers to EAEU until end of year - commission

MOSCOW. Feb 7 (Interfax) - The Eurasian Economic Commission Council (EECC) has extended the timeframe for zero import customs duty on certain types of containers (EAEU HS code 8609 00 900 9) until December 31, 2023, inclusive, the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) trade bloc said in a statement.

Russia had taken the initiative earlier to extend the measure.

"The duty has been zeroed out in order to prevent a reduction in the container fleet of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) following the departure of a number of Western logistics companies. Extending the customs tariff regulation should ensure the timely delivery of goods, as well as loading at the ports of the Far East," EEC Trade Minister Andrei Slepnev was quoted as saying in the statement.

Slepnev noted that the businesses of the EAEU's member countries fully purchase the containers currently produced within the EAEU, and existing needs are not met completely.

As previously reported, the EEC board in April 2022 decided to zero out the rates on import customs duties from March 28, 2022, to September 30, 2022, then extended the decision in September until February 28, 2023. The import duty for containers is 10% of the customs value without accounting for the zeroing.