Russia drops 100-ruble customs fee on foreign online parcels

Russia's Finance Ministry has dropped its plan to charge a customs fee of 100 rubles on every parcel from foreign online stores. Deputy Finance Minister told the State Duma that the government does not intend to introduce both VAT and a customs fee on these purchases.

The fee was proposed on 24 September 2026 as part of a package of budget-related amendments for 2027–2029. It was meant to apply to cross-border e-commerce shipments valued at up to €200, the range covered by the duty-free threshold in the Eurasian Economic Union.

According to the deputy minister, the government will prepare an amendment removing the fee from the Tax Code bill before its second reading.

VAT of 22% remains on the table

The ministry is keeping its plan to introduce VAT on cross-border online trade. From 2027, the proposal is to apply the maximum rate of 22% to purchases from foreign web shops. The tax burden on companies will rise because of this change alone, which the ministry cited as the reason not to add a second payment on top.

Officials say the aim is to level the playing field between traditional retailers and online marketplaces. Russian retail already charges VAT at the general rate of 22%, while the rules for foreign online purchases differ.

What it means for shoppers

The deputy minister also stressed that the tax should not push prices up. In his words, the measure simply extends the same VAT rate to goods regardless of where they are sold.

For consumers and marketplaces, the removal of the per-parcel fee eliminates a flat charge that would have weighed most heavily on low-value orders. The final shape of the rules will become clear once the amended bill goes to its second reading in the Duma.