Customs Code comes into effect for Russia, Kazakhstan.

MOSCOW, July 1 (Itar-Tass) - The Customs Code of the Customs Union
becomes effective for Russia and Kazakhstan on Thursday. The bill on its
ratification by the third partner, Belarus, was submitted to the
Belarussian parliament back on June 8.
According to some reports, the upper and lower houses of the
Belarussian parliament did ratify the treaty on the Customs Code of the
Customs Union on Wednesday, the Prime-Tass economic news agency reports.
However, there has been no official confirmation as of yet.
By all appearances, Belarus intends to announce it on July 5, when a
meeting of the EurAsEC heads of state takes place in Astana. "We have
voiced or position. I think the issue will be settled on July 4-5, and an
answer to that question will be given," Belarus's First Deputy Prime
Minister Vladimir Semashko said.
Minsk linked the signing of the document with the expected by Belarus
cancellation of export duty on oil and petroleum products. Russia did not
decline a request about the cancellation of export duty, Deputy Minister
for Economic Development Andrey Slepnyov said. "All oil is currently
supplied (to Belarus) duty free for domestic consumption, while for
refining for exports - under general conditions. It was said that we will
be ready to meet them halfway in that issue as well, and supply duty free
these amounts on condition that we form a common economic space (which is
planned to be launched starting from 2012), harmonize the competitive
environment, harmonize macroeconomic parameters," he explained.
Dues on imports of vehicles by private individuals were another
sticking point in work on the Code. In Belarus, customs fees are lower
than in Russia and Kazakhstan. This issue remains open, but was decided to
set up a transition period till July 2011, so that each country could
retain its rates for at least one year.
The agreement on the Customs Code of the Customs Union was signed in
Minsk on November 27, 2009 by the presidents of Russia, Belarus, and
Kazakhstan.
In Russia, the law on the ratification of the Customs Code was signed
by President Dmitry Medvedev in June 2010 after ratification by the State
Duma and approval by the Federation Council.
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