Membership in WTO will cut customs intakes to Russian budget down

The role of customs in external economic activity will grow since Russia entered WTO, but the volumes of intakes to the Russian budget will go down.

“The experience of developed countries witnesses that the reduction of time when passing customs procedures and lowering of expenses for external trade operations ensure substantial rise of economics on the assumption of due state control, i.e. after Russia’s joining WTO the role of customs on making favorable conditions for external trade activity will substantially grow” – the head of the Bashkir customs Valerie Byshovets stated during press-conference, devoted to the customs work balance-2011.

“Now it is still difficult to forecast how exactly the membership of Russia in WTO will affect the sums of customs intakes” – he mentioned – “But as soon as customs fees go down, it is clear that transferences to the Russian budget will be reduced”.

But this process will go step-by-step. Thus, the transient period on lowering the customs fees is meant for two-three years and in some sectors of economics – up to 5-7 years.

According to the head of the Bashkir customs the membership in WTO can affect the trade structure of import and export. In particular, it is expected the share of import can be increased in the segment of consumer goods and foods as well as in the segment of high-tech equipment. “The customs fees for import of high-tech goods and equipment will be most likely zeroed” – Valerie Byshovets mentioned.