A meeting of the public advisory council at the Vitebsk Customs took place
In March, the first meeting of the Public Advisory Council under the Vitebsk Customs (hereinafter – PAC) was held this year to familiarize representatives of the business community with changes in regulatory legal acts and discuss emerging problematic issues.
The PAC meeting was attended by representatives of Vitebsk Customs, public associations, state organizations and institutions, as well as 13 representatives of the largest enterprises and organizations of the Vitebsk region engaged in foreign economic activity, international cargo transportation, logistics, and customs affairs.
In accordance with the PAC Work Plan for 2026, the meeting addressed topical issues of changes in tax legislation concerning the collection of value-added tax, excises, and recycling fees for vehicles imported into the Republic of Belarus. The speaker announced the main changes introduced by the Law of the Republic of Belarus dated December 30, 2025, No. 127-Z "On Amendments to Laws on Tax Legal Relations," which came into force on January 1, 2026, and also reviewed the main innovations regarding recycling fees and objects subject to this type of fee, which will take effect on April 1, 2026.
As part of the second agenda item, the Law of the Republic of Belarus dated October 20, 2025, No. 101-Z "On Amendments to Laws on Criminal and Administrative Liability" was reviewed, in accordance with which, starting from November 2, 2025, criminal and administrative liability was introduced for illegal actions regarding civilian unmanned aerial vehicles (hereinafter – UAVs) and model aircraft. The speaker elaborated on what actions and who can be held administratively liable for illegal actions regarding UAVs and model aircraft under Article 18.38 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus, and also explained when criminal liability arises under Article 300-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus for similar actions.
The speaker drew attention to the fact that, in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus, UAVs and model aircraft include not only the aircraft themselves but also their component parts – identifiable spare parts for such aircraft.
It was also clarified during the meeting that goods purchased on online platforms and marketplaces are mandatory delivered to control points before being handed over to the addressee to prevent the import of prohibited goods into the Republic of Belarus.
In conclusion, we would like to emphasize the importance of the PAC, which serves as a favorable platform for discussing problematic issues arising during business activities, which contributes to effective interaction between participants in foreign economic activity and customs authorities.
Based on materials from Vitebsk Customs
