Belarus duty-free stores close pending government rethink

Gavin Lipsith

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The country’s duty-free shops have closed following the introduction of a new Customs code, according to local reports

Duty-free stores in Belarus have been forced to close following the introduction of a new Customs code on July 1, according to local media agency Prime-Tass. The new code does not include regulations for border shops and only makes provisions for airport and diplomatic shops, said the agency’s source on the national Customs Committee.

The lack of regulation means that duty-free stores have been closed pending further direction that will have to come from the country’s president. The report said that not all the stores may reopen, and new stores may open in different locations.

RavenFox.com is trying to verify whether airport and diplomatic duty-free stores have also been closed down temporarily.

The new Customs code was introduced to try and cut down on the illegal import of liquor into the country, which the State Control Committee claims is driven by leakage from duty-free stores.