PM Medvedev signs decree introducing tax free shopping (TFS) pilot program at airports in four Russian regions

GORKI, February 12 /TASS /. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has signed a decree on introducing a tax free shopping pilot program at airports in four Russian regions. "I signed a government decree on this issue, the pilot project will start in four regions most popular with foreign tourists - Krasnodar Region, Moscow Region, Moscow and St. Petersburg, said Medvedev in a meeting with deputy prime ministers. Medvedev explained that tax free shopping will work for foreigners who take goods purchased in Russia outside the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union. "We have a common market and, naturally, this is the only way that it can be perceived," Medvedev said. He added that the system of added tax return has proven effective in many countries and this mechanism has worked well around the world. "From this year we begin its approbation, the relevant changes in the tax legislation have been adopted," Medvedev said. The tax free system allows foreign nationals who are not members of the Eurasian Economic Union to receive a refund of VAT paid when purchasing goods on the territory of the Russian Federation when taking them outside the EEA. Read more