The European Commission has introduced changes to the rules for importing goods for Russian tourists, banning certain items, including smartphones and cosmetics worth more than 750 euros. Maya Lomidze, Executive Director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), explained what this means in a comment to "RG."
In accordance with Annex XXI to Article 3i of the Council Regulation of the European Union, the list of items prohibited for import into EU countries includes items such as cosmetics, cameras, laptops, smartphones and other data transmission devices, furs, leather goods, precious and semi-precious stones. The list even includes shampoos and toilet paper.
You heard right and your eyes are not deceiving you - yes, yes, goods listed under code 4803 - "toilet paper or facial tissues, towels, napkins and other types of household or sanitary paper", are also prohibited.
According to the European Commission, these restrictions are aimed at controlling goods that could bring significant income to Russia.
However, it is worth noting that the restriction applies to electronic household appliances, including smartphones, worth over 750 euros, as indicated in paragraph 15 of Annex XVIII to Article 3(z). This means that devices in a lower price category are not prohibited.
Artur Muradyan, Vice President of ATOR, emphasized that the introduction of new rules may affect Russian tourists. However, some EU countries — Greece, Italy and France, are likely to interpret the directive more leniently, considering the interest in tourists from Russia.
It does not matter whether the vehicle is used for private or commercial purposes, as long as it falls under the customs codes listed in Annex XXI (including code 8703) and originates from or is exported from Russia. Most likely, this applies to cars with Russian license plates and those registered in Russia. The duration of their possible stay in the European Union and, accordingly, the customs procedures under which they will be placed (for example, release for free circulation or temporary admission) also do not matter.
ATOR also recommended that all citizens of the Russian Federation, before the situation becomes completely clear, not import vehicles with Russian license plates into Germany. Earlier, reports were published that German customs officers seized cars belonging to Russian citizens upon entry into Germany.
