The Ministry of Finance proposed from July 1, 2024 to allow the import of foreign tobacco products into Russia for further sale only if Russian excise stamps are on its packaging. The relevant draft government decree developed by the Ministry has been published on the portal of draft regulations.
"To establish that from July 1, 2024, the import into the Russian Federation, including from the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union, and the movement through the territory of the Russian Federation of foreign–made tobacco products imported into the Russian Federation for the purpose of their sale (hereinafter referred to as tobacco products) is allowed provided that there are markings on consumer packaging", - the document says.
According to the draft, importers must purchase stamps from authorized customs authorities.
It is established that such excise stamps are not a means of identifying imported tobacco products, and control over their further use by customs authorities is not carried out.
The return of damaged or unused excise stamps is not carried out, and the funds paid for their issuance are not refundable, the draft says.
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