Belarusians brought goods worth $17 million through newly opened Polish crossings in six months, and this is only via Tax Free
But due to sanctions, they are bringing completely different goods than before.
In the first six months after the resumption of operations at the border crossings "Kuznica" ("Bruzgi") and "Bobrowniki" ("Berastavitsa"), more than half a million people crossed the border, but the nature and volume of purchases made by Belarusians have significantly changed.
As reported by the customs office of the Podlaskie Voivodeship, over this six-month period, Belarusians registered 68,000 Tax Free documents for a total amount of 62 million zlotys (about 17 million US dollars).
Despite the large figures, shopping tourists no longer make such large and expensive purchases as in previous years. The reason for this is the EU sanctions against citizens of Belarus and Russia: a huge list of goods that were previously in demand is now prohibited from being exported through the Polish-Belarusian border.
For example, it is no longer possible to transport electronics (smartphones, televisions, computers); building materials; household chemicals (e.g., washing powders) and more.
Now our compatriots have switched to basic products and small household items. Most often, coffee and tea; clothing and toys; small household appliances and accessories (razors, vacuum cleaner bags, etc.) appear in Tax Free documents.
The "Bobrowniki" and "Kuznica" border checkpoints had been closed for several years. The Polish side decided to open them on November 17 last year to revitalize the economy of the border Podlaskie region, which suffered greatly without tourists. Border traffic is growing, but the Polish side had expected a greater financial outcome.
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