Belarus’ State Customs Committee on measures taken to reduce queues and tension at border

The Belarusian side is doing everything possible to resolve the issue of border crossings and queues – as noted by Dmitry Kovalev, the Deputy Head of the Main Department of Customs Control Organisation at Belarus’ State Customs Committee

“We have repeatedly appealed to neighbouring countries to settle this issue through dialogue, but they simply refuse to hear us,” Mr. Kovalev noted. “On the contrary, they are trying to worsen the situation. Thus, since November 1st, the movement of vehicles registered in Belarus and classified under CN FEA code 8703 (mechanical vehicles for the transportation of less than 10 people) is prohibited on the territory of Latvia.”

Specially designated areas on the Belarusian border are designed for over 2,000 vehicles, which allows for more than 1,000 cargo operations per day.

“We are trying to support domestic business in every possible way and prevent European carriers from monopolising it,” continued the representative of the State Customs Committee. “For this purpose, navigation seals were introduced, which not only allow us to track the movement of cargo in real time, but also to reduce the number of customs control measures at checkpoints by sending goods under such a seal for inland control. In addition, we are actively developing waiting areas which are now being modernised jointly with Beltamozhservice RUE. As a result, it is planned that the waiting area at the Brest checkpoint will have a capacity for 700 vehicles, and the one at Kozlovichi for 800.”