ArmInfo.The government of Armenia will not allow itself being deceived. The RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this on February 13 in the RA National Assembly, answering the question of the Deputy Speaker from the Prosperous Armenia Party faction Vahe Enfiajyan about the need to resolve the issue of customs payments for importing non-commercial cargo.
The MP stressed that from January 1, 2019, at the checkpoints, new rates of customs payments are applied, which hurt 600 beneficiaries. In addition, about 1 thousand people were left without work as a result of the ban on street trading. "People need an alternative, and new rules should be introduced gradually," said the MP.
This proposal angered the Prime Minister, who pointed out the inadmissibility of manifestations in which individual citizens, while importing commercial cargo in excess of the established limit, are trying to throw dust in eyes. "This will not happen, no, and once again, no. There will be no compromise on such frauds," said Nikol Pashinyan. He noted that it is impossible to be on the bit of the most nimble citizens who are trying in every way to deceive the government. "You will pay customs duties, and there will be no exceptions for anyone, be it an oligarch or an ordinary citizen. What is it? A lie has become the main focus for attempted deception. I will not allow this, the end has come to lies", pointing out the inadmissibility of turning the center of Yerevan into the Istanbul bazaar, while the Mashtots street into the eastern base. "Why then did we make a revolution," the head of government asked.
To recall, according to the decision of the Eurasian Economic Commission, from January 1, 2019, the nominal value of personal goods, which can be transported duty-free to the EEU countries, will be three times reduced. The weight of these goods will also be reduced by half. According to the press service of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia, it will be possible to import personal use goods worth up to 500 euros (or equivalent in another currency) and weighing up to 25 kg into the EEU. In case of exceeding these limits, a single rate of customs payments will be applied for all EAEU countries: 30% of the cost, but not less than 4 euros per kg. Restrictions relate to the importation of goods by all means of transport, except air. These restrictions do not apply only to the importation of ethyl alcohol, alcoholic beverages, beer, as well as some personal items. As a result, the citizens of Armenia, trying to evade the new customs duties, attempt several times to import goods under the guise of personal use in the amount of 25 kg.