OMM Redaksiyası
Russia has proposed new tax rules for people shopping through foreign online stores and e-commerce platforms.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Russia’s Ministry of Finance has proposed imposing 22% value-added tax (VAT) on foreign goods purchased through cross-border e-commerce.
Under the proposal, the tax would not be paid directly by buyers. Instead, e-commerce platforms would pay it as tax agents. The ministry believes the change could help equalize competition between foreign online platforms and companies operating in Russia’s domestic market.
VAT would be set directly at 22%
The previous version of the proposal envisaged a gradual increase in VAT on goods purchased from abroad. The new initiative instead calls for the direct introduction of the standard 22% VAT rate.
At the same time, the Ministry of Finance has proposed introducing a 100-ruble customs fee on parcels sent from abroad by post for personal use and valued at up to 200 euros.
The payment is expected to take effect in 2027.
Shopping from foreign platforms could decline
According to experts, one of the main consequences of the changes could be a narrowing of the gap in the tax burden between foreign and domestic sellers.
However, additional charges on orders from foreign platforms could also reduce demand for this type of shopping. The impact would likely depend on how platforms pass the tax on to consumers and whether the proposed customs fee is introduced as planned.
