Belarus Suggests Customs Union's Up Leather-Shoe Import Duties

As reported by Russian newspaper of Oct. 12, Belarusian Vice Foreign Minister recently suggested that the Russia-Belarus-Kazakhstan Customs Union double the import duties on import leather shoes, from the rate 10% up to 20%, and from no less than EUR 1.8/pair up to no less than EUR 2.7/pair.

If approved by the Customs Union, the measure may take effect from January 1, 2012.

It is said that Russian demand for shoes totaled 570 million pairs in 2010, 10% of which can be home made; and the duty raising can spur illegal imports and make retail shoe prices up 40%.