Since 2022, we have seen a transformation in the structure of the international trade system, which has led, on the one hand, to a change in international interaction with foreign partners, and on the other, to a change in customs policy. “RG” told this to the actor. Head of the Department of Global Financial Markets and Fintech of the Russian Economic University named after GV Plekhanova Svetlana Frumina.
“Among the positive factors influencing the budget replenishment, it is worth mentioning in particular the intensification of measures to simplify and speed up customs procedures, the development of information and software tools, as well as the linking of export duties to the ruble exchange rate,” she explained.
Thanks to improved customs administration and the introduction of AI, we are seeing an increase in operational efficiency and a reduction in processing time, he added.
A flexible customs policy enabled an increase in revenues from distributed import customs duties due to an increase in the average tariff rate by 22.7% (data from the Chamber of Accounts).
“The increase in Russian budget revenues in the first half of the year may also be due to the increase in exports of nitrogen (twice) and potash (1.8 times) fertilizers,” Frumina noted.
A significant part of the revenues could come from an increase in the average exchange rate of the dollar against the ruble.
The expert recalled that from September 2023, export customs duties were introduced for a wide range of goods at the exchange rate of the national currency, which are applied outside the EAEU. The tax at the average rate is 80-85 rubles. per dollar is 4% and increases to 7% on a multi-stage scale at an exchange rate above 95 rubles. per dollar.
According to her, such a measure will allow increasing budget revenues even with an increase in the exchange rate and, consequently, in exports.
The growth may be due to an increase in the customs value of imported goods, as customs duties are levied on this value, says Vyacheslav Belobzhetsky, associate professor of the MADI Logistics Department, expert of the Moscow regional branch of Support to Russia.
“In the context of a slight decline in imports, the increase in customs duties and payments is explained by the introduction of measures ensuring the efficiency and transparency of customs procedures.
Mandatory labelling of products with unique identifiers aims to solve this problem – tracking the movement of products on the market and combating counterfeiting,” he said.
According to the expert, in 2024 the list of products subject to mandatory certification was expanded: new categories of products requiring certification of compliance with safety and quality standards were introduced.
At the same time, there was an increase in duties on luxury items: jewellery, expensive watches and top-quality cars.
The increase in the cost of goods is due both to global inflation and to the increase in the cost of shipping to the EAEU border, the cost of which is taken into account in the customs value, he explained.
An additional role was played by the increase in the recycling fee for imported cars.
“Inflation continues, even if the volume of energy imports and exports remains stable, ruble earnings will increase, although perhaps not as significantly,” he concluded.
