After the introduction of mandatory checks on shipments for individuals in Belarus, cargo delivery times doubled and carriers’ costs for fuel, transportation and warehousing operations increased by 10% to 30%, according to data of the Association of Road Transporters and Freight Forwarders.
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Thus, in January-March 2024 the average delivery time for goods for personal use from Russia to Belarus doubled compared to the same period in 2023.
For example, transportation on the Moscow-Minsk route will now take four days, while a year earlier it could have been completed in two days, said Vadim Filatov, head of the Association of Road Freight Forwarders and Carriers.
“Now the company cannot deliver cargo to individuals without receiving inspection documents. Carriers of groupage goods are forced to first deliver them to a warehouse to unload commercial shipments and then send the vehicle again with the load of people for inspection,” Filatov explained.
The association also reported that due to increased costs of fuel, transportation and storage operations, the cost of delivering parcels from Russia to Belarus in the first three months of 2024 increased by 10% to 30% (the price depends on the weight and package dimensions) year after year.
Inspections are carried out in six locations: Minsk, Mogilev, Gomel and Vitebsk. During delivery, carriers must travel between 10 and 70 additional kilometers to the locations where checks are carried out, according to estimates by the Association of Road Carriers and Freight Forwarders.
“Companies register in advance in an electronic queue for inspection. There are not enough free sites, so the inspection time can last up to two days,” Filatov concluded.
- Delivery times have increased after the introduction in Belarus of mandatory checks on shipments from individuals coming from Russia and the EAEU countries. On December 28, 2023, Decree N297 (aimed at preventing the importation of prohibited items into the country, including drones), came into force.
Author:
Anastasia Marina
Source: RB
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