MINSK, 18 January (BelTA) – In 2012 the operation of customs agencies generated over Br49 billion or the equivalent of over $5.9 billion in revenues for the state budget of Belarus. Revenues per customs officer averaged Br10 billion. The facts were mentioned at the session of the Board of the State Customs Committee on 18 January. The session summed up results of the year 2012 and earmarked targets for 2013, BelTA has learned. Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Belarus (SCC) Mr Alexander Shpilevsky remarked that the customs had had to hit rather intense targets and had managed to do it. The replenishment of the state budget was secured as well as the safety and transboundary movement of goods. In the last three years transit traffic via Belarus has doubled. In the last two years Belarus’ foreign trade has risen by 52%. The trends are expected to continue, remarked Alexander Shpilevsky. SCC Deputy Chairman Mr Yuri Brytkov stated that the work on the bill on customs regulation had been completed by the end of 2012. Once the document comes into force, it will be the main document for the entire customs system of Belarus, he said. This year the customs service should focus on reducing queues at the border and facilitating customs procedures for the sake of accelerating customs control. Certain success has been achieved already. As many as 83% of the customs declarations in all the customs procedures are processed using digital routines. Data about cargo traffic is shared in advance. It is also an important step that is of great importance because it accelerates the customs processing of paperwork. Yuri Brytkov remarked that at the same time the amount of seized goods, restricted and forbidden goods is on the rise. Last year their amount rose by 50%. Over 1.5 tonnes of narcotic substances was seized. As many as 43 million contraband cigarettes were seized as well as about 7 tonnes of alcohol-containing and alcohol products, which were being transported in Belarus illegally. The customs service also seized over 12.5kg of jewelry items and metal waste containing precious metals, which were hidden for the sake of crossing the border. Over Br56.4 billion worth of apparel and footwear was seized. As many as 787 vehicles, which were supposed to be imported to Belarus without paying duties and using forged documents, were detected. The SCC Deputy Chairman noted that the detection of minor violations was not the goal in itself for the customs service. “This year we intend to fight schemes, channels that truly threaten the national security of Belarus,” said the official. “We have done it and will do it in association with law enforcement agencies of Belarus and colleagues from other countries”.

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