Kazakhstan ratifies EAEU protocol to track, tax overseas online purchasesPresident Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a law ratifying a protocol to amend the Eurasian Economic Union's (EAEU) Customs Code, his press service reported.The protocol, signed in December 2023, establishes a new category for goods shipped from foreign online platforms to individuals.The changes introduce the concept of an "e-commerce operator" to handle logistics, interact with platforms and customs, and manage customs declaration and storage for these goods. A new customs declaration type, the e-commerce declaration, will also be created.Officials state the reform aims to capture official statistics on the full volume of overseas online purchases, which are currently unrecorded as they are not considered part of formal trade turnover. Currently, such goods are only declared if they exceed the duty-free import limits of 200 euros or 31 kg.Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin explained that operators will handle declarations and processes like returns, though buyers could also declare goods themselves. He acknowledged the changes could make goods slightly more expensive for consumers. Under the new rules, platforms will pay value-added tax and buyers will pay a 5% duty, for a total levy of 17%. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX