EAEU might extend 1,000-euro threshold for duty-free imports for another six months - sources

MOSCOW. March 29 (Interfax) - Russia will propose at the meeting of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) on Thursday that members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) extend the 1,000-euro duty-free threshold for imports of goods into the union, sources familiar with the situation told Interfax.

The proposal was approved on the part of Russia at a meeting on Monday with the participation of the Economic Development Ministry, a source familiar with the talks said.

The duty-free threshold for bringing goods into the EAEU was raised to 1,000 euros in March 2022 and was supposed to expire last October, but in the fall it was extended for six months, until April 1, 2023.

"An extension until October is being discussed right now, but there could be a decision to extend for an even longer period," one source said.

The EEC press service told Interfax that the size of the duty-free threshold is on the agenda of the EEC Council meeting scheduled for March 30.

The assistant to the chairman of the EEC, Iya Malkin said in mid-March that if the EEC Council considers this issue but does not decide on an extension, as of April 1 the threshold will go back to the previous level of 200 euros for goods shipped in by carriers or by post and 500 euros for goods imported in baggage by all types of transport except by air or on foot.