How did the opening of the border with Poland affect life in the region? We talked to Hrodna residents about shopping trips, travel, and shuttle traders
Two and a half months ago, Poland opened two border crossing points on the border with the Hrodna region. We asked Hrodna residents what has changed for them.
Photo: gpk.gov.by
It became more convenient to fly via Warsaw
Before this, Hrodna and its surroundings were at a dead end — all the nearest border crossing points with Poland and Lithuania were closed, which greatly affected the habits of city residents.
Previously, trips to Bialystok for shopping or for shuttle-smuggling business were common for many residents of the region, so the opening of the border became long-awaited news. But it seems that its former popularity is gone.
A person who used to regularly travel to Poland for shopping says that since the border opened, he has been there only once, when he flew with his family from Warsaw further into Western Europe.
«Before this, for the last two years, we flew via Vilnius, because getting from Hrodna to Warsaw via Brest was inconvenient, and the queues were huge.
This time we decided to fly via Warsaw, because confusion started with Lithuania, both with the border itself and with the airport, which was regularly closed due to smuggling balloons,» says the Hrodna resident.
«Prices in Poland have risen»
The interviewee's family has no plans to go to Poland for shopping — it's unprofitable.
«When we flew via Warsaw, we noticed that prices in Poland have also risen. Acquaintances who have already gone shopping also noted that there's not much point, especially since, for example, washing powder and many other goods cannot be brought in due to sanctions.»
Illustrative photo. Photo: «Nasha Niva»
The Hrodna resident also complains that prices for shopping tours are now significantly higher than they used to be.
«If two people go, you have to pay 200 rubles just for tickets, plus you need to stop somewhere to eat. Going by car is also expensive, by the time you pay all the fees. In addition, you somehow need to buy Polish insurance in advance.
When you look at all this and calculate it, the desire to go disappears, although in pre-COVID times we used to go shopping regularly both by minibus and by car,» says the Hrodna resident.
Truckers are delighted
Another interviewee says he is satisfied with the border opening, but not because of the opportunity to go shopping.
«When the border opened, I decided to go back to working as a truck driver in Poland. Traveling to Poland from Hrodna via Brest was very inconvenient. But here, you leave the city and in 2—3 hours you're already in Bialystok,» says the Hrodna resident.
Another trucker also says he is very happy about the opening of «Bruzgi».
«Previously, I mainly traveled to the base, which is located near Bialystok, via Lithuania, because the queues there were shorter than in Brest, and my Polish passport allows me to drive Belarusian-registered vehicles in Lithuania.
Thanks to the fact that it has become much easier to get from the base to home, I can work in four-week rotations,» the driver rejoices.
Shopping didn't meet expectations
People who last visited Poland in early 2020 (before the introduction of COVID restrictions) say that shopping in Bialystok did not meet their expectations.
«If everything used to be cheaper in Poland, that's no longer the case. Eating in a cafe is more expensive than in Belarus. Perhaps the only plus is a wider selection of goods. Going for clothes might make sense in principle, but the overall benefit is questionable.
Coffee is still profitable to buy, but washing powders and other household chemicals cannot be brought in, as it is prohibited by sanctions. You also can't bring in phones, laptops, and other electronics,» complains a Hrodna resident.
Illustrative photo. Photo: «Nasha Niva»
The border is open, but the visa is not
Some of the interviewees, who previously always had visas and frequently traveled to Poland, admitted that they would gladly go there if there was an opportunity to get a visa.
People say that if you cannot get an invitation for free, a visa for one person with all expenses will cost a minimum of 600—700 dollars.
«When we calculated how much money it would take, we abandoned the idea, because with a little more, you could buy a good tour, for example, to Turkey. And here, you'd only be paying for visas.»
Has cross-border business revived?
As for shuttle traders and smugglers, this activity has only partially revived and is not as widespread as before.
Shuttle traders note that the tariff for transferring goods has decreased, as there are more people willing to earn money this way than there are goods to transfer.
«If it used to be 4 euros per kilogram, for many items the price has dropped to 2 euros,» notes a shuttle trader.
The man says that to earn good money from a trip, you need to go with your wife and even children.
«If two people go, by norm you can bring 4 packs of cigarettes, vodka. In total, about 10 dollars profit from selling. Plus 25—30 for fuel. Count it, this is just enough to cover travel expenses, fees at the Belarusian border, and Polish insurance,» explains the shuttle trader.
According to him, the main earnings come from transferring goods, bringing something on order, and delivering parcels.
«If I go with my wife, a trip brings in about 100—150 dollars. But you can't go every day, no matter how much you want to, because if you go more often than once a week, import norms will be cut,» explains the city resident.
Illustrative photo. Photo: «Nasha Niva»
Similar figures are named by a taxi driver who also tries to go to Poland once a week.
«I earn about 400—500 dollars net per month from trips to Poland. This is a good addition to my main income, especially since you won't earn as much during a taxi shift as on a trip to Poland,» admits the taxi driver.
At the same time, both interviewees say that there aren't as many goods to transfer as they would like, and the activity of «running to Poland» is no longer as popular as it used to be.
Smuggling and heavy fines
As for cigarette smuggling, it also seems to be going through tough times, although one can earn 15 dollars from a single block.
The main problem cited by smugglers is the weak flow of traffic, which gives customs officers a lot of free time to identify smugglers.
«Bruzgi» is particularly difficult for smugglers, as there are no vehicles other than passenger cars.
It's reportedly a bit easier to get through «Bierastavitsa» with contraband, because there, customs officers and the «black ones» (a special anti-smuggling department) have to deal with freight transport and buses. At «Bruzgi», however, all attention is focused on passenger cars.
Smugglers also complain about unexpectedly high fines — about 3,000 dollars for 20-30 blocks of cigarettes.
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